MovieChat Forums > My Name Is Bill W. (1989) Discussion > What about this movie?

What about this movie?

posted 18 years ago by ijones-9
17 replies | jump to latest

There seems to be a lot of talk on this board about alcoholism and other movies about alcoholism, but I was curious if anyone was interested in discussing this film? I'll kick it off by saying this is one of the most memorable TV movies ever made, worthy of theatrical release. This uncompromising look at the beginnings of AA is anchored James Woods' powerhouse, Emmy-winning performance as Bill W., a drunk who met another drunk (an equally solid James Garner), who could find no real help anywhere else and decided to help each other. When they were able to help each other stop drinking, they decided to try to help others and thus AA was born. An important film to see if you are struggling with alcohol, think you might have a problem, know someone you think might have a problem, or you are currently a member of AA and want a relatively factual yet entertaining look at its origins.

[–] stephenjrees 18 years ago

This film was passable, but like with all films where they have so clearly "got it wrong", it was a totally biased towards a certain point of view. Acting was passable, but in no way deserved an Emmy. The low buget was reflected by the poor productions values. The script was decidedly average. It is an important film for people in AA, not so for people with alcohol issues. Try nil by mouth, or that one with Nick Cage, for a much better and more true depiction of alcohol abuse.

[–] ijones-9 18 years ago

It is an important film for people in AA, not so for people with alcohol issues.

What does this mean?

[–] stephenjrees 18 years ago

Well, no one cares about the story of AAs origins, which this is. It goes into little detail about how bill got clean, or the message of AA. It is simply a history lesson. Very interesting for those that think that AA is the best thing ever. Someone struggling with alcoholism won't care....

[–] Redman75 15 years ago

I don't know what movie you were watching. little detail about how he got clean? he hit rock bottom and he was forced to sober up or die. he got clean with the support of people like him.

[–] nhjk 18 years ago

I think it's a pretty good treatment of the recovery process. I appreciated the fact that, unlike some other films, it didn't dwell on the getting drunk part so much. We all know how to get drunk. It's getting (and staying) sober that we need to learn about, and that's what we should spend our time talking about.

[–] stephenjrees 18 years ago

What are you talking about? At least 2/3 of teh film focused on Bills drinking, which is actually the less interesting part of his story. What about his 13th stepping, LSD use, seances, financial irregularities with the Big Book profits. That part of his recovery would have made a VERY interesting story...

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] ijones-9 18 years ago

28 DAYS wasn't really a film about the disease of addiction. It was about this character, Gwen, and her denial regarding the disease.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] ijones-9 18 years ago

CLEAN AND SOBER with Michael Keaton and THE BASKETBALL DIARIES with Leonardo DiCaprio. Both of these films brilliantly demonstrate where the disease of addiction can take you.

[–] ijones-9 18 years ago

You might also want to check out SWEET NOTHINGS with Michael Imperioli and Mira Sorvino. A little preachy, but watchable nonetheless.

[–] drkamchatka 18 years ago

Bill W did relapse, but not on alcohol. He took LSD to help him write the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions book. Don't know if it helped him, but there was a different perception of LSD back then. Bill was a weird guy though, so who knows what was going on in his head. Everyone has flaws and thats kind of the point of the program. AA couldn't have been founded by a model citizen because model citizens dont have the character defects that cause alcoholism. I find Bill W to be annoying sometimes but you have to take the good with the bad, and he did do a lot of good things.

[–] bmcneil-1 18 years ago

He took LSD to help him write the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions book.

Bill was given LSD because it had good results for helping alcohol cravings and it was also used in psychotherapy. Bill had severe bouts of depression.

He didn't take it to write the 12&12.

[–] leadrockg 18 years ago

Where are you getting your information?

[–] mortargrind 18 years ago

It's a great movie, I was discussing the fact that it was being released on DVD in the main forum that got me excited, this movie DESERVES dvd treatment and it's too bad it took so long for someone to dust this gem off and re-release it but I'm just glad it's happening right now. You all keep an eye out for this movie on dvd if you don't want to be stuck watching ancient VHS copies of it :)

[–] bald_tony 15 years ago

"Days of Wine & Roses", "The Lost Weekend", and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf?" are 3 movies that deal with the affects of alcohol and alcohol abuse. of those "Days of Wine & Roses" is the most powerful i believe

[–] 15 years ago

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