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Restoration (1995)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
5/22
5/22:
Despite winning two Oscars in 1996, I had never heard of Restoration until now.
The wait has been well worth it. I like the pace, and therefore, I wasn't bored at all. Initially, I thought "miscast,"
but the thespians, save for Meg Ryan (what a bad choice), proved themselves in the long run.
Sam Neill is probably the best of anybody. His character, King Charles II, was famous for the dogs he owned, hence the King
Charles Spaniel although the current breed isn't descended from them. On the other hand, it's a good performance
by Robert Downey, Jr., who continues to be an underrated actor. Ian McKellen first became friends with him
on the set and was so sufficiently impressed that he wanted him to star in Richard III.
There isn't much of a plot, so the film is more of going through life for one person: Robert Merivel. As much as
things happen and how the characters feel, they're never convincing or deep enough. I don't know how many
years had passed, but nobody ages for the least bit. Hence, most of the effort is spent on costumes and art direction, and
they all look great, hence the well-deserved Oscar wins. However, the film loses its way during the final third.
The most interesting aspect is the Great Plague of London which occurred in 1665-66, having become the last outbreak ever in
England. An Old World disease, the bubonic plague had killed many millions of people for centuries. It came from infected
fleas that were carried by rodents, most especially black rats, on ships which went back and forth via trade routes across the world.
Nobody made the connection at the time as it was originally thought that touching dead people's clothes was enough to contract the
plague. The other possible culprits were miasma, foreigners, Jews, gypsies, and punishment from God, among others.
All in all, Restoration is a nice period film that will sure to delight Robert Downey, Jr.'s fans.