IMDb > My Name Is Bill W. (1989) (TV)

My Name Is Bill W. (1989) (TV) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   432 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 17% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
William G. Borchert (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for My Name Is Bill W. on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 April 1989 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
Based on the true story of Bill W. (James Woods), a successful stock broker whose life falls apart after... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 10 nominations more
User Comments:
Career-best performance by James Woods as the founder of A.A. more (20 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

James Woods ... Bill Wilson

JoBeth Williams ... Lois 'Lo' Wilson

James Garner ... Dr. Robert 'Dr. Bob' Holbrook Smith

Gary Sinise ... Ebby, Bill's best friend
George Coe ... Frank Shaw from Rice & Co.

Robert Harper ... Dr. Jeremy Partlin, Administrator of Elmwood Sanitarium
Ray Reinhardt ... Dr. Silkworth, Alcoholic Specialist at Towns Hospital
Fritz Weaver ... Dr. Burnham, Lois' Father
Rick Warner ... Bill Dotson, Drunk in hospital

Joe Inscoe ... Fred, AA Member
Susan Duchow ... Adele Gentry, Manager of Childrens ware in Dept. Store

Rich Valliere ... Charley

Mark Joy ... Guy Kolb, Lois' boss at Dept. Store
William Aylward ... Controller (as Bill Aylward)
Richard Travis ... Stockquoter
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
100 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
17 out of 17 people found the following comment useful.
Career-best performance by James Woods as the founder of A.A., 26 December 2001
Author: (CarlHalling@aol.com) from south west of London (Surrey suburbia)

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.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (20 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for My Name Is Bill W. (1989) (TV)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
20th Anniversary SteveB-NY
This Movie + AA Have Saved My Life anne-cpc-pi
Two MUST SEE films about alcoholism... dr-ghettoblaster
Program Films DaeganFhar
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Coven Days of Wine and Roses Quid Pro Quo Never Among Friends Bounce
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.