Restoration

An amorous young doctor joins the court of King Charles II, and subsequently agrees to marry—but not touch—one of the King’s mistresses in this romantic historical drama., Court physician Robert Downey Jr is ordered to marry one of the King’s mistresses to divert the suspicions of another., This lavish historical drama based on the acclaimed novel by Rose Tremain won Oscars for Costume Design and Art Direction. Robert Downey, Jr. stars as Robert Merivel, a gifted medical student of the 17th century who ignores his studies in favor of pursuing debauched fun — much to the consternation of his high-minded Quaker colleague John Pearce (David Thewlis). Merivel achieves the high societal status he covets when he’s summoned by King Charles II (Sam Neill). Merivel is chagrined to find that he’s expected to care for the king’s ailing spaniel, but the dog rallies and Merivel joins court. When one of Charles’ mistresses, Celia (Polly Walker) becomes uppity, Charles arranges her marriage to Merivel. In return for keeping Celia in a pretend marriage, he receives an estate and knighthood. Merivel, however, falls in love with Celia and, betrayed by an eccentric painter (Hugh Grant), inspires the king’s wrath. Banished and stripped of his wealth, Merivel rediscovers love with an Irish mental patient (Meg Ryan). He also rediscovers his passion for medicine during London’s Great Fire and the Black Plague., Michael Hoffman’s Oscar-winning film is set in the heart of 17th century London under the riotous rule of Charles II (Sam Neill), seen through the eyes of court physician Robert Merivel (Robert Downey Jr). The king offers Merivel titles and riches if he will marry (but not touch) one of the royal mistresses (Polly Walker) but temptation is too strong and soon Merivel is an outcast, witnessing the plague and the Great Fire of London from the streets rather than the palaces., An amorous young doctor joins the court of King Charles II, and subsequently agrees to marry—but not touch—his majesty’s attractive mistress., Adapted from the Booker Prize-shortlisted novel by Rose Tremain, this is a lavish period drama about a rakish medical student whose life is changed dramatically when he enters the court of King Charles II. The young man – who has honed his bedside manner in more ways than one – becomes the royal physician. Then one day he receives an offer from the king that helps him understand real love. Oscar winner for costumes and art direction., Lavish period drama about a rakish medical student whose life is changed dramatically when he enters the court of King Charles II. The young man – who has honed his bedside manner in more ways than one – becomes the Royal Physician and in the Court confronts power, seduction and an offer from the King that reveals him to be capable of love. Oscar winner for costumes and art direction., An amorous young doctor joins the court of King Charles II, and subsequently agrees to marry—but not touch—his majesty’s beguiling mistress., Period drama about a medicine student whose life changes dramatically when he enters the court of King Charles II. Robert Merivel (Robert Downey Jr) is a bold and adventurous scientist whose courage takes him into the court of the King (Sam Neill) to become a Royal Physician. Here he will confront power, seduction and an offer from the King which will force Robert finally to realise that he is capable of falling in love. Co-starring Hugh Grant as portrait artist Finn, Meg Ryan as Katherine, the woman who eventually wins Robert’s heart, and Polly Walker as Celia Clemence, the King’s mistress.