Restoration (1995 film)
Restoration | |
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Directed by | Michael Hoffman |
Screenplay by | Rupert Walters |
Based on | Restoration by Rose Tremain |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Oliver Stapleton |
Edited by | Garth Craven |
Music by | James Newton Howard |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Miramax Films |
Release dates |
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Running time | 117 minutes |
Countries | |
Language | English |
Budget | $19 million[2] |
Box office | $4 million[2] |
Restoration is a 1995 historical drama film directed by Michael Hoffman from a screenplay by Rupert Walters, based on the 1989 novel of the same title by Rose Tremain. It stars Robert Downey Jr. as a 17th-century medical student exploited by King Charles II. The film was shot in Wales[3] and won the Academy Awards for art direction and costume design.[4]
Plot
Young doctor, Robert Merivel, enters into King
Merivel rejoins his old friend, John Pearce, who now runs a
The pair returns to London just as the Great Plague has hit. Katharine gives birth to a daughter, Margaret, via Caesarean section, but dies from the procedure. Before her death, Merivel promises Katharine he will care for Margaret.
As the plague continues killing people, Merivel is compelled to do what he can as a physician. He leaves Margaret with a wet nurse, and goes into the city. He separates the sick from the well, who have all been quarantined together, and eases the suffering of the dying. When asked his name, Merivel says he is John Pearce, as a tribute to his friend. Under this misnomer and in disguise, Merivel is summoned to the palace. The King fears that Celia has contracted the plague. Merivel assures him that she has a treatable fever and is with child. Merivel realizes his life now is more rewarding and fulfilling than the one he left behind.
The court is notified that the
Cast
- Robert Downey Jr. as Robert Merivel
- Sam Neill as King Charles II
- David Thewlis as John Pearce
- Polly Walker as Celia Clemence
- Meg Ryan as Katharine
- Ian McKellen as Will Gates
- Hugh Grant as Elias Finn
- Ian McDiarmid as Ambrose
- Mary MacLeod as Midwife
- Mark Letheren as Daniel
- Sandy McDade as Hannah
- Andrew Havill as Gallant
- Rosalind Bennett as Eleanor
- Willie Ross as Man with Visible Heart
- David Gant as Chiffinch
- Benjamin Whitrow as Merivel's Father
- Neville Watchurst as Latin Doctor
- Bryan Pringle as Watchman
- Roy Evans as Fleeing Man
- John Quarmby as The Chancellor
- John Dallimore as The Secretary
- Roger Ashton-Griffiths as Mr. Bung
- Bridie and Hannah Rees-Davies as Twin Babies
Reception
Restoration won Academy Awards for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration for Eugenio Zanetti and Best Costume Design for James Acheson.[4] The film was also entered into the 46th Berlin International Film Festival.[5] According to the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 71% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 34 reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Restoration spins an engaging period yarn out of its bestselling source material, brought to life through the efforts of an eclectic ensemble cast led by Robert Downey Jr."[6] At Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 66 out of 100 based on 16 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[7]
Rose Tremain, author of the novel on which the film was based, said of the film that it had a beautiful texture to it. She was however disappointed with the film's storytelling, and said the story has no logic and so does not move the audience. The disappointment led her to take up scriptwriting herself.[10][11]
Soundtrack
Restoration: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
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Soundtrack album by | |
Released | 1996 |
Genre | Soundtrack |
Length | 58:47 |
Label | Milan Records |
Producer | Michael Mason, Shawn Murphy |
Composer James Newton Howard's main theme is based on the music from The Fairy-Queen by Henry Purcell.
Track listing
- "If Love's A Sweet Passion (From the Fairy Queen)" 1:31
- "Main Titles" 2:57
- "Frost Dance In C (From King Arthur)" 1:34
- "A Night With Lulu" 1:21
- "Minuet In G (From Abdelazer)" 0:53
- "Here The Deities Approve (From the Ode welcome to all the Pleasures)" 2:28
- "A Creature Of The New Age" 1:09
- "Overture In D (From the Fairy Queen)" 1:26
- "The Wedding" 1:39
- "Hornpipe In D Minor (From the Fairy Queen)" 1:26
- "Arrival In Bidnold" 1:08
- "The Cabinet Of Curiosities" 2:54
- "The Land Of Mar" 1:11
- "The Lie" 1:19
- "A New Ground (In E Minor)" 0:52
- "Merivel Woos Celia" 2:26
- "Katharine Sleeps" 3:23
- "Taking Bidnold Back" 1:35
- "Muzette 1 In A Minor (From 3e Livre De Pieces De Viole)" 2:56
- "The Right Knowledge" 2:06
- "The Plague" 2:09
- "Katharine's Death" 4:37
- "Night Sweats" 3:03
- "Hospital" 2:54
- "Doctor Merivel" 1:50
- "Listening To Celia's Heart" 1:39
- "The Fire" 3:18
- "Allegro From Sinfonia (Act II) (From the Indian Queen)" 1:19
- "Your Child I Believe" 1:13
- "Newcastle (Traditional)" 0:38
- "2nd Overture In D (From King Arthur)" 1:27
References
- ^ a b "Restoration (1996)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ a b "Restoration (1995)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ "Lights, camera, action: Welsh film and TV locations". VisitWales. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
- ^ a b "The 68th Academy Awards (1996) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
- ^ "Berlinale: 1996 Programme". berlinale.de. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
- ^ "Restoration (1995)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
- ^ Travers, Peter. "Movies: Restoration: Directed by Michael Hoffman" Rolling Stone 726 (25 January 1996) p. 67
- New York Times(29 Dec 1995) C3
- ^ "Книжная витрина - Роуз Тремейн: "Хочу успеть сделать еще многое, до того как ускорение выйдет из-под моего контроля"". Top-kniga.ru. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
- ^ Dedukhina, Elena (October 13, 2006). "Interview with Rose Tremain". Knizhnaya Vitrina (Wisdom and Sense). Retrieved August 28, 2011.
External links
- Restoration at IMDb
- Restoration at AllMovie
- Restoration at Box Office Mojo
- Restoration at Rotten Tomatoes
- Restoration at the better source needed]