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Winner of two Academy Awards, Restoration, from director Michael Hoffman (Soapdish, A
Midsummer Night's Dream),
charts the moving story of the irrepressible Robert Merivel, who eagerly
embraces the high living and low moral standards of the Court of Charles
II. When Merivel falls from grace, he must create his own spiritual and
social restoration. Restoration stars Robert Downey Jr., (Chaplin,
Richard III), Sam Neill (Sirens, The Piano), Hugh
Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill), Polly
Walker (Talk of Angels), Meg Ryan (Sleepless in Seattle, Hurlyburly)
and Ian McKellen (Richard III, Gods and Monsters)
Merivel (Robert Downey, Jr.) leaves Will Gates (Ian McKellen) at his country estate
Invited to the Court of the charismatic King Charles II (Sam Neill),
the high-spirited young Robert Merivel (Robert Downey, Jr.) cheerfully
abandons his medical studies to accept the post of Royal Physician. At the
King's request, he enters into a marriage of convenience with Celia (Polly
Walker), the youngest Royal mistress. In return for a knighthood and a
country estate run by Will Gates (Ian McKellen), the King commands Merivel
to forgo any conjugal rights to his bride. However, encouraged by the
King's portrait painter Finn (Hugh Grant), Merivel is unable to control
his lust for Celia. She firmly rebuffs his advances, and the King, in his
rage at Merivel's disobedience, strips him of his land and title. He is
forced to seek shelter within the confines of an austere Quaker hospice
run by John Pearce (David Thewlis), his oldest friend and former medical
colleague. Once again, Merivel falls prey to the temptations of the flesh,
and seeks solace in the arms of Katharine (Meg Ryan), a patient. Found out
and expelled, Merivel takes the now pregnant Katharine back to London. At
last he harnesses his resources and in the face of extraordinary
adversity, redeems himself as a physician and a man.
Will Gates (Ian McKellen) waves goodbye to his master, Merivel (Robert
Downey, Jr.)
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