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Biographical drama

Restoration (1996): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Restoration (1996) movie poster

Restoration is a 1996 biographical drama directed by Michael Hoffman, starring Meg Ryan, Polly Walker and Ian McKellen. It is based on Restoration by Rose Tremain. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes and earned $4 million worldwide on a $19 million budget. It won 2 Oscars, including Art Direction and Costume Design. Critics gave it 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

IMDb rating
6.6/10
worldwide gross
$4M
Oscars won
2
Metascore
66
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Restoration (1996) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 57m (117 min)
Director
Michael Hoffman
Original language
English
Studio
Miramax
Budget
$19M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Restoration About?

The premise of Restoration without spoilers, adapted from Restoration by Rose Tremain. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Following a personal tragedy, CK Erwin seeks refuge in an auto restoration shop. There, he finds connection and purpose among a group of eccentric individuals who rely on his skills to keep their lives on track. While repairing classic cars, Erwin rediscovers the possibility of happiness and builds a supportive, unconventional family, finding renewed hope in the process.

Restoration Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • 17th century
  • plague
  • based on novel
  • 1660s
  • king charles ii
  • historical event
  • restoration
  • doctor
  • court physician
  • male nudity
  • english court
  • england
+38 more
  • independent film
  • cough
  • adultery
  • glove
  • false identity
  • king
  • crying
  • corpse
  • happiness
  • spitting in someone's face
  • female frontal nudity
  • male frontal nudity
  • male full frontal nudity
  • pubic hair
  • male pubic hair
  • period drama
  • sex scene
  • sex with a prostitute
  • paying for sex
  • exposed heart
  • royal court
  • exotic fruit
  • stargazing
  • cleavage
  • great fire of london
  • live action
  • wealth
  • spaniel
  • medicine
  • friend
  • court
  • baroque
  • loss of loved one
  • year 1663
  • violin
  • horse drawn wagon
  • begins with text
  • wedding
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Cast & crew

Restoration Cast

Meg Ryan leads the cast, with Polly Walker and Ian McKellen. Directed by Michael Hoffman; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Michael Hoffman

More films directed by Michael Hoffman, best-rated first: The Last Station, Soapdish, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Game 6.

Full filmography
Ratings

Restoration Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Restoration 66 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.6/10.

Plot

Restoration Plot Summary

What happens in Restoration from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Robert Merivel, Robert Downey Jr is a bright, impulsive young doctor who secures a place at the court of King Charles II after saving the King’s beloved spaniel. He basks in the glow of court life, enjoying flirtations, witty company, and a grant of influence that comes with being a royal favorite. The King soon imposes a pragmatic marriage arrangement: Merivel must wed Celia, Meg Ryan the royal mistress who has fallen from favor, a ruse designed to fool the King’s own mistress, Barbara Castlemaine, Polly Walker. Merivel accepts, seduced by the proximity to power, while Celia is installed in a house in Kew and the King can visit in secret.

Full summary

The whole story of Restoration, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Restoration Box Office & Budget

Restoration grossed $4 million worldwide on a $19 million budget, 21% of what it cost.

1996 box office

Worldwide gross

$4M

21% of its budget back

US & Canada
$4M
Budget
$19M
Awards

Restoration Awards & Nominations

Restoration won 2 Oscars, including Art Direction and Costume Design.

2 wins2 nominations1 ceremony

  • Academy Awards (Oscars) logo
    Oscars 1996 2 wins · 2 nominations
    • Won Art Direction
    • Won Costume Design
Videos

Restoration Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Restoration.

Restoration (1995) Official Trailer 1 - Robert Downey Jr. Movie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Restoration?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Which actor portrays the young physician Robert Merivel?

Seen Restoration?

FAQ

Restoration FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of Restoration, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Restoration?

Restoration runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).

When was Restoration released?

Restoration was released on February 2, 1996.

Who directed Restoration?

Restoration was directed by Michael Hoffman.

More films by Michael Hoffman

Who is in the cast of Restoration?

Restoration stars Meg Ryan, Polly Walker and Ian McKellen, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Restoration make at the box office?

Restoration grossed $4 million worldwide on a budget of $19 million.

How is Restoration rated?

Restoration has 6.6/10 on IMDb, 66 on Metacritic and 60% on TMDB.

Is Restoration based on a book?

Yes. Restoration is adapted from Restoration by Rose Tremain.

What awards did Restoration win?

Restoration won 2 awards from 2 nominations, including Art Direction at the Oscars 1996.

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