My Name Is Bill W.

1989 • 99 minutes

About this movie

Based on the true story of Bill W., James Woods - in an Emmy award-winning performance - plays the successful stock broker whose life falls apart after the stock crash of the 1920's. As a result Bill W. and his loving wife Lois (Jo Beth Williams) must come to grips with his depression and downward spiraling alcoholism. In Bill's quest for recovery, he forms a support group with fellow alcoholic, Dr. Bob (James Garner), which eventually leads to the formation of Alcoholics Anonymous. In this inspiring portrayal, My Name is Bill W. movingly depicts the trials, trauma and triumph of people and loved ones coping and recovering from substance abuse. Director: Daniel Petrie. Starring: James Woods, Jo Beth Williams, James Garner and Gary Sinise.

Ratings and reviews

This movie captures not only the life and work of Bill W, but the spirit of what he helped create. I attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings for my home group, but often AA meetings as well. They are of course the same program, the same steps, the same traditions, and the same promises. I have been 126 days clean this time around, and seeing this really helped my journey for today. Hopefully for today again and again as I go through one day at time. If you are wondering if it works, or more importantly if it will work for you, as I have been, watch this movie and you might get some assurance or inspiration. What I am learning in my short time as measured by some, but a very long one for me considering each day clean is a victory, is that I don't have to make up my mind to quit forever, or view the task of quitting as the giant mountain called the rest of my life. I only have to stay clean today. In fact I only have to stay clean for the next five minutes, or one minute... on minute at a time and one day at a time. Just for today, as we say, give yourself a break.

This movie is the core of our being... it tells you how the way to get and stay clean and sober got started. Love it!

Excellent telling of the story of Bill Wilson and the birth of AA.