When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story (TV 2010)

Based on the true story of the enduring but troubled love between Lois Wilson, co-founder of Al-Anon, and her alcoholic husband Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Director:

John Kent Harrison

Writers:

William G. Borchert, Camille Thomasson,

Stars:

Winona Ryder, Barry Pepper, John Bourgeois

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Winona Ryder	...	Lois Wilson
Barry Pepper	...	Bill Wilson
John Bourgeois	...	Dr. Clark Burnham
Rosemary Dunsmore	...	Matilda Burnham
Paul Popowich	...	Rogers Burnham
Adam Greydon Reid	...	Ebby Thatcher
Ellen Dubin	...	Dora
Sarah Manninen	...	Elise Shaw
Sarah Dodd	...	Sue
Lynne Griffin	...	Annie Smith
Collette Micks	...	Irene
Kristi Angus	...	Anne Bingham
Frank Moore	...	Dr. Bob
Peter Windrem	...	Charlie
James Downing	...	Wes

Storyline

Based on the true story of the enduring but troubled love between Lois Wilson, co-founder of Al-Anon, and her alcoholic husband Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

---

Plot Keywords:

alcoholics anonymous | marriage | alcoholism | 1930s

---

Taglines:

The epic story of devotion, recovery and hope

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama

---

Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 April 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story (#59.3)

Filming Locations:

Cinespace Film Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

CBS Television Network, E1 Entertainment, Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Lois Wilson pawns her wedding ring to pay her husband's hospital bill. When she arrives at the hospital to see him, she is still wearing it (notice Winona Ryder cover her hand as if she noticed the goof).

---

Quotes

Lois Wilson: Excuse me, erm do you know someone in the meeting?
Anne Bingham: My husband.
Lois Wilson: Oh mine's in there too, would you like to come in?
Anne Bingham: [shakes her head] I wouldn't wanna inconveniece you.
Lois Wilson: No it would be no trouble, really. Erm I could make some tea, I, I could actually use someone to talk to tonight.
Anne Bingham: [she gets out of the car] We came all the way from Westchester County. I'm Anne Bingham.
Lois Wilson: [they shake hands] Anne, I'm Lois Wilson.
Anne Bingham: If I don't drive him here I can't guarantee that he'll make it so I make the drive.
Lois Wilson: For ...
[...]

---

Connections

Edited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)

User Reviews

"I'm talking about me now."

"When Love Is Not Enough" is a film of a very specific style. That sort of style most commonly seen in films which consider the most effective way to depict a period drama is in mimicking the film-making style of said period. If you can swallow all the tear-jerking music and glossy cinematography, you will certainly appreciate the story better. But I found myself aching for a little bit more grittiness. Even much older alcoholic dramas such as "The Lost Weekend" or "Days of Wine and Roses" had a degree of emotional intensity not quite present here. Then again, this is a TV movie, and similar expectations are not necessarily in play.

Winona Ryder and Barry Pepper are two of my favorite actors. They don't disappoint here. Pepper (as Bill Wilson) is appropriately pathetic for the better half of the film, believably drunk and unhinged. Ryder (as Bill's wife, Lois) is given somewhat less to work with. Some of her dialogue during the more intense arguments is so wordy and roundabout that she seems tied between losing her breath and keeping a straight face. Both of which tend to get in the way of projecting emotion.

It's a good enough film. The story takes you through the events of Bill and Lois' married life, always without making you feel like it's arbitrary or scripted out. The unfortunate side is how John Kent Harrison doesn't offer anything at all outstanding with his direction. The look is flat, clean, ordinary. He sometimes uses off-kilter angles in the composition, which is always distracting and immediately makes one think of 1960s television shows. Harrison prevents the actors from pushing further than expected, and gives nothing but limitations to the production.

In the end, this is probably worth watching. The actors give enough guts and passion to make it worth your time. It's nothing to subvert even the lowest of expectations, but you get the sense that everyone tried their best. And that's commendable, even when their best is not enough.