Themes: Unlikely Friendships, Servants and Employers, Alcoholism
Main Cast: Uma Thurman, Jonathan Pryce, Paddy Considine
Release Year: 2008
Run Time: 75 minutes
Plot
Paddy Considine, Uma Thurman, and Jonathan Pryce star in this feature adaptation of acclaimed writer David Hare's searing play, an uncompromising study of alcohol addiction and obsession. Paul is a poet and recovering alcoholic in search of employment. Offered a job by a kind billionaire businessman, Paul soon discovers that despite their differences, the two men have much in common. Meanwhile, the businessman's alcoholic wife begins her own path to recovery, a non-traditional approach that doesn't include Alcoholics Anonymous. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Anthony Page - Director, John Scott - Editor, Peter Boyle - Editor, Robert Fox - Executive Producer, Jenne Casarotto - Executive Producer, Simon Boswell - Composer (Music Score), Luciana Arrighi - Production Designer, Brian Tufano - Cinematographer, Frank Doelger - Producer, Tracey Scoffield - Producer, Lee Morris - Producer, David Hare - Screenwriter, David Hare - Play Author
My Zinc Bed is a 2008 TV Drama[1] directed by Anthony Page and based on the stage play[2] of the same name by David Hare. It was commissioned by the BBC and produced in association with HBO Films.
The one-off drama follows recovering alcoholic 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.
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 Gherkin office building. The Quinn's new residence is shown to be in the locale of the real Regent's Park.
Critical Reception
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.
Audience Reception
The drama was viewed by a highly selectively viewing profile (i.e. a small audience),[9][10] competing poorly with European soccer on other networks.
