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Movies / On DVD / Restoration
Restoration

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Restoration (1995)

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68 %
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Reviews Counted:31

Fresh:21

Rotten:10

Average Rating:6.3/10

Runtime: 1 hr 57 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: This lavishly-mounted costume drama focuses on one of England's most fascinating periods: the restoration of the monarchy after 11 years of Puritan rule, which led to an explosion of culture and... This lavishly-mounted costume drama focuses on one of England's most fascinating periods: the restoration of the monarchy after 11 years of Puritan rule, which led to an explosion of culture and learning. A young, womanizing doctor named Robert Merivel earns the admiration of Charles II after curing the King's sick dog. For his achievement, the King gives Merivel an estate. However, the doctor must also marry Celia Clemence, the monarch's mistress. Although Celia has been causing the King some headaches, he still wants to keep her close by. A sham marriage, he reasons, will make her less troublesome. Charles picks Merivel to be the groom because of the playboy doctor's seeming inability to fall in love with any one woman. However, Robert does indeed fall in love with Celia, which the King is none too pleased to discover. Stripped of his land, Merivel joins his friend, John, a doctor who's treating patients at a remote Quaker asylum. There, he helps a young Irish woman and the two become lovers. But he returns to the city to find himself caught up in two of the period's most famous events -- the outbreak of the bubonic plague and the Great Fire of London. [More]

Starring: Robert Downey, Sam Neill, David Thewlis, Polly Walker

Starring: Robert Downey, Sam Neill, David Thewlis, Polly Walker, Meg Ryan, Ian McKellen, Hugh Grant

Director: Michael Hoffman

Director: Michael Hoffman

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Restoration

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Bubble View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
splat

Geoff Andrew

Engaging if uneven.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 09 2006 03:16 AM

Time Out

N/R

Godfrey Cheshire

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 26 2009 03:16 AM

Variety

tomato
8/10

Jack Garner

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 18 2008 03:43 AM

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

splat
2/4

Susan Stark

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 18 2008 03:43 AM

Detroit News

tomato
4/5

Cole Smithey

No review available.

comment Comment | Feb., 21 2008 10:17 AM

ColeSmithey.com

tomato
4/5

Carol Cling

Gorgeous, witty romp that

comment Comment | Aug., 18 2006 01:16 PM

Las Vegas Review-Journal

tomato
7/10

Chuck O'Leary

An interesting evocation of a decadent era marked by opulence, excess and abject poverty. But works equally well as a study of personal redemption amidst the turmoil.

comment Comment | Sep., 27 2005 10:15 PM

Fantastica Daily

tomato
3/5

Emanuel Levy

No review available.

comment Comment | Jul., 04 2005 11:25 PM

EmanuelLevy.Com

tomato
3/5

Rob Thomas

Ryan's hilariously out of place, but this is otherwise an entertaining yarn.

comment Comment | Feb., 17 2005 08:51 AM

Capital Times (Madison, WI)

tomato
3/5

Philip Martin

No review available.

comment Comment | Jan., 26 2005 02:09 PM

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

tomato
4/5

Janet Maslin

Since the robust 17th-century picaresque tale is not enjoying any current vogue, the success of "Restoration" can be considered a very pleasant surprise.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 20 2003 05:13 PM

New York Times

tomato
6/10

Dragan Antulov

Despite its flaws, Restoration proves that Hollywood can at times treat history in satisfying manner.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 16 2003 11:37 AM

rec.arts.movies.reviews

tomato
3.5/4

Jeanne Aufmuth

Robert Downey, Jr. can do no wrong by me, and his expressiveness and irreverence are what make this film work. Seen through his eyes, the changing currents of the times are navigable only with large doses of dark humor and compassion.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 14 2003 05:13 PM

Palo Alto Weekly

splat
2/5

Brian J. Arthurs

No review available.

comment Comment | Dec., 06 2002 03:39 PM

Beach Reporter (Southern California)

tomato

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Phantasmagorical film about a late bloomer who takes a long time to find and follow a path with heart.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 22 2002 10:50 AM

Spirituality and Practice

splat

Kevin Thomas

The film is overcome by the rumbling workings of a creaky plot as the story grows more serious.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 15 2002 08:18 AM

Los Angeles Times

splat
2/4

Peter Stack

The movie takes on a somber, fitful atmosphere of straining epic proportions. But it strays into an episodic bog that leaves it gasping for dramatic life.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 18 2002 08:16 AM

San Francisco Chronicle

tomato

Peter Travers

Lively, lavish and grandly acted pageant.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 12 2001 10:38 PM

Rolling Stone

tomato

Barbara Shulgasser

Hoffman proves himself a master of complex scenery, crowd control and graceful direction. He succeeds in making a conspicuously lush and rich movie out of what was reportedly a less than kingly budget.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 01 2000 12:00 AM

San Francisco Examiner

tomato
3/4

Chris Hicks

Two movies for the price of one.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 01 2000 12:00 AM

Deseret News, Salt Lake City

 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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