Did anyone else catch that Hallmark Special on CBS last night on Lois Wilson?
I hate to say it, but there were some parts that were very flaky. I have read a few stories and books about both of their pasts. Some was probably believeable but some not.
The film focused mostly on his drinking and how she lived with it and through it--it was not until near the last 20 minutes when anything was said about the Real AA and the Big Book.
Do not forget Lois helped proof read it and typed it for him while he was off talking to people.
I really wanted to see it but we had severe thunderstorms in Central Florida and it knocked out the Dish Network.
Oh well, If God had wanted me to see it it would have happened.
Larry, ----------------- Insane people are always sure that they are fine. It is only the sane people who are willing to admit that they are crazy. -- Nora Ephron
I thought it was okay!! the bill wilson story is coming up with couple good actors,see how that looks.....its good to bring a little more awareness to those who have no idea of the devastation of the diseas.Thought it could have been a little more in depth from that point ,but probably would have had to go into documentary mode....
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
I saw it. It was fine. Right now I like anything program related because I find it comforting, I don't know why. Especially after a tough day, having it come on felt like one of those good co-incidences you mention as this God fellow that I am trying to get acquainted with.
That said I would LOVE a documentary about it or AA, but then I am a documentary nerd/freak.
Amazing responses so different from the responses from the Al-Anon board. That part of the movie which showed the fear and confusion of the Alcoholics when Lois led their spouses and partners into "their" own room was telltale. That part of the movie where Lois yells at Bill "It's all about you isn't it Bill" is telltale then as it is now. Wanna do a 4th step?...get into the shoes of the people you slammed and ask yourself what would it feel like for me? If the defenses are all gone like they are supposed to be when the tools of empathy and compassion rise you get to feel remorse and shame and guilt on a level that only a HP can hold you up from dropping to your knees.
It was that bad fellows and the disease of alcoholism is that destructive...I've been on both sides of the veil. The best photograph of Bill W and Lois W I have is the one of them put back together by the same HP and 12 steps.
From Bill himself, "I doubt if AA would have ever survived without the existance of Al-Anon".
Was this only a Film critique? Keep coming back because it wasn't only about Bill.
In support.
-- Edited by Jerry F on Monday 26th of April 2010 05:35:28 PM
I thought it was pretty good. I tried not to feel as if it should have been tailor made for those in recovery, and keep my mind open. I felt the drama was compelling-and a perspective that held to historical facts for the most. All the same, I am already familiar with early part of life for the Wilson's thru the BB and Pass it on and such, and wished more than the final 15 had been about how Al-Anon came to evolve into what it is today.
I thought Winona was better than expected, and a few scenes were really good. I loved My Name is Bill W. Of course in a two hour movie a lot has to been shaved and whittled down. The message was still there.
This movie made Bill look pretty bad. If I wasn't in recovery myself I'da been rooting for Lois to dump the bum. But then I probably wouldn't be here to say that if she had.
In the other movie, Bill's a mess, but the portrayal (James Woods)seemed more sympathetic to me.
