Restoration (1995)

Restoration (1995)

Directed by: Michael Hoffman

Starring:

Robert Downey Jr.
Sam Neill
David Thewlis
Meg Ryan
Ian McKellen
Hugh Grant

Synopisis:

Robert Merivel (Robert Downey Jr.) is an up and coming student of medicine. He is also a womanizer who spends more money than he has on woman and wine. His friend John Pearce (David Thewlis) tries to warn him and guide him back to his studies but as usuaul is met with resistance from Robert. One day while the two friends were working in the local hospital a patient comes with a remarkable wound. Robert dared to touch the wound while John looked timidely on. This action set Robert's life on a new course, King Charles II (Sam Neill) took note of Robert's wonderment and requested him to come to the palace and look at after a patient in disperate need of medical attention.

Robert is lead a stray from his calling literally by order of the King. Robert's life is changed again when the King orders him to marry the King's mistress. In exchange for marrying in name only Robert is given a Knighthood and an estate. Just as quickly as he was thrown into the King's fantasy world, Robert is tossed out.

After being cast out from the Kings good graces, he seeks out his friend John and joins in him in the treatment of insane. Robert takes an unusual perspective on treating the asylum patients and it appears to work. He also starts to notice one female patient, Katherine (Meg Ryan. He gets involved with her romantically and at the same time his friend John contracts the black plague and dies. Robert and Katherine leave the asylum.

Robert and Katherine find themselves back in England with the black plague in full swing. All the physicians have left and the well are being hold up with the plague ridden. Robert finds his way back to his calling and starts to treat the ill but under his friends name, John Pearce. His talents get him noticed again by the King and he is needed once again at the palace.


Review:

This is a good period movie. The storyline shows how back in the 1600's a Kingly request can shape someone's life. It also shows one man's journey to find himself and his reason for being alive. The movie is a bit long but that does not take away from story being told. The main character, Robert, though educated is a fool by his own design. His youth was spent chasing his desires which gave him instant gradification but left his life empty of accomplishment. As the story progressed the viewer can see how the character allowing himself to be shaped by the people around him during different stages of his life. In a way showing how someone can easily become a follower with simple temptation. In the end Robert became the master of his own fate and found more precious things to hold dear than creature comforts, thus freeing him from any Kingly request or allowing himself to be manipulated into beiing a stooge.