My Name Is Bill W.

James Woods gives a terrific performance as Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. JoBeth Williams matches Woods as his loving but beleaguered wife. It is one of the best performances of her career. James Garner has a rather small role but as always he is terrific. This is just an inspiring film, one of the better made for tv movies.

Not much to add to the hugely favorable consensus here about this made-for-tv-movie, so I will just echo what has been said. Good story about a vitally important organization, the man that founded it and how he did so. Good acting all around, good writing, and good direction.

Well worth seeing, not just as a docudrama, but as a well-crafted piece of cinema.

I was a partly-involved spectator during the filming of the movie, and it was an incredible experience. The quality of the actors was usurped only by their unending interest in the story of Bill W and the important message they were delivering.

James Garner and James Woods were intensely focused on keeping the story of Dr. bob and Bill as true to form as possible. Jo Beth Williams played Lois Wilson incredibly well; first as a confused wife with no options and a drunkard husband; then as a strong willed but understanding partner for life.

If anyone has a loved one or knows of a friend whose life is impacted by an alcoholic, then this movie is both an eye opener and an inspiration to keep trying to find a way to fight and deal with the disease.

James Woods puts in the most magnetic performance of his career in this stunning neglected classic. Normally known as a tough guy, Woods is profoundly affecting, and heartrendingly vulnerable as the charming and brilliant young stockbroker who succumbs to alcoholism, before going on to found AA, and help so many to find the strength to stay sober. It is wonderfully well directed, but of course the subject matter would prevent it from being a "classic" in the commercial sense. Artistically however, it is a triumph, well-paced and almost hypnotically powerful, with an Oscar-meriting performance.

this type of film. He has such a diverse acting range, but it would be nice to see him in other films of this genre (See my review of "The Boost"). While the latter was not a great film, Woods elevates the material, as he does with this made for TV film as well.

The Story of Bill W. is about the actual founder of AA and the doctor (James Garner) who was his sponsor. Years ago (Think Ray Milland in "The Lost Weekend") people were simply locked up in asylums if they had addictions or neuroses. When AA was founded, it represented a way for people to help each other, without incarceration or cruel and inhumane treatment.

This film is important because it educates the audience about subject matter most people deny, or refuse to face. Similar social issues, such as homelessness and mental disorders are also touched on, as alcoholism is a disease, and causes many other societal problems. Watch this film. the story is well told, and the acting (especially by Woods) is excellent.