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.

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Plot Keywords:

alcoholics anonymous | marriage | alcoholism | 1930s

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Taglines:

The epic story of devotion, recovery and hope

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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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).

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Quotes

Lois Wilson: You disgust me! Anyone stupid enough to trust you is betrayed, again and again!

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Connections

Edited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)

User Reviews

Sweet Ryder as the perfect wife in a heart warming story

Sure, the story of Mr and Mrs Wilson is a very true one, so true that we can hear around us now and then. Before watching it, I never know the alcoholism can be so devastating and make the victim so helpless. And the depression adds insult to the injury, making their lives even down to the bottom. I had to watch this part with great uneasiness. This lasted until the very end, where everything seemed to be OK again. What can I say, exactly such an up and down makes a warm story about devoting love and faith.

I am impressed that Mr Wilson finally made it and, not only helped himself but also the others. But I am more impressed by his wife Lois, her devoting love and firm support to her husband, which, if I were in Mrs Wilson's shoes, would have divorced him at least three times over. Sure, this film is from her angle telling the story and understandably making her the closest entry point for the viewers. Nevertheless, her sweetness and forgiveness is never shadowed or shaded by this setting. One might wonder, who else can play Lois Wilson better than Ryder. I don't know how the real Lois looks like, but as long as the real story goes like the one in this film, the role will be tailored to Ryder. After all, I really can't think of another actress in Hollywood has a small share of Ryder's sweetness and shyness.