My Zinc Bed
Written byDavid Hare
Directed byAnthony Page
StarringPaddy Considine
Jonathan Pryce
Uma Thurman
Music bySimon Boswell
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersFrank Doelger
Lee Morris
Tracey Scoffield
CinematographyBrian Tufano
Running time69 minutes
Original release
Release27 August 2008 (2008-08-27)

My Zinc Bed is a 2008 British television drama film[1] directed by Anthony Page and based on the stage play of the same name[2] by David Hare. It was commissioned by the BBC and produced in association with HBO Films.

Plot

The one-off drama follows Alcoholics Anonymous member Paul Peplow (Paddy Considine) who is sent to interview wealthy businessman Victor Quinn (Jonathan Pryce). Victor's obsession with addiction soon makes sense when Paul meets Victor's beautiful wife Elsa (Uma Thurman) – who reveals that she herself is a recovering alcoholic.

Locations

The film is shot in many locations across London, including the now-standard "crossing the Thames" introductory shot backdropped by St. Paul's Cathedral and the 30 St Mary Axe Swiss Re office building (commonly referred to as "The Gherkin"). The Quinn's new residence is shown to be in the locale of the real Regent's Park.

Reception

Critical

The drama was well received by some critics,[3][4] mostly overcoming the distraction of its high-powered cast.[5][6] It was both commended and criticized[7][8] for its retention of its stage-play roots.

Ratings

The drama was seen by around 1 million viewers, considered poor ratings, especially given Thurman's involvement.[9][10]

References

  1. ^ "BBC - Press Office - My Zinc Bed press pack". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 27 August 2008.
  2. ^ "My Zinc Bed - David Hare". www.complete-review.com. Retrieved 28 August 2008.
  3. ^ "Last Night's TV: My Zinc Bed BBC2Who do You Think You Are? BBC1". www.independent.co.uk. 27 August 2008. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2008.
  4. ^ "Kathryn Flett on television: Mutual Friends, BBC1 | My Zinc Bed, BBC2 | Six Days One June, BBC1". www.theguardian.com. 30 August 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  5. ^ "TLS - Times Literary Supplement". entertainment.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  6. ^ "A Bed Youll Quickly Jump Out of (From the Herald )". Archived from the original on 2 March 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2008.. Retrieved 2008-09-02
  7. ^ www.metro.co.uk http://www.metro.co.uk/metrolife/article.html?in_article_id=282402&in_page_id=9&in_a_source=. Retrieved 1 September 2008. ((cite web)): Missing or empty |title= (help)[title missing]
  8. ^ "Watch TV Shows Online Free". www.tvscoop.tv. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  9. ^ www.broadcastnow.co.uk http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/2008/08/viewers_dont_want_to_lie_in_bbc2s_zinc_bed.html. Retrieved 2 September 2008. ((cite web)): Missing or empty |title= (help)[title missing]
  10. ^ "Poor showing for Thurman's 'Zinc Bed'". www.digitalspy.co.uk. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2008.

External links


Films directed by Anthony Page
Works by David Hare
Categories