Movie Info

James Woods gives an unforgettably moving Emmy-winning performance as Bill Wilson, the cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous, in director Daniel Petrie's ...(read more...) poignant true story that chronicles one man's heroic struggle against alcohol addiction.

Bill is a WWI veteran with a doting wife, Lois (JoBeth Williams), who enjoys a triumphant return from the war and great success on Wall Street during the Roaring 1920s. However, the stock market crash of 1929 ruins Bill's career and sends him spiraling into a deep alcoholic depression. Bill doesn't realize the seriousness of his disease until he hits bottom and meets another recovering alcoholic, Dr. Robert Smith (James Garner). As the two men become close and relate their experiences, they come up with an interesting way to stay sober. By making friends and sharing stories with other alcoholics, Bill and Robert continue to fight the battle against alcoholism and go on to found Alcoholics Anonymous, based on their own triumphant friendship. The work these two men began continues to help millions throughout the world who are in recovery and coping--one day at a time.

Director: Daniel Petrie

MPAA: Unrated

Running Time: 1 hr. 40 min.

Release Date: Apr 30, 1989

Cast: James Woods, JoBeth Williams, James Garner, Gary Sinise, George Coe, Robert Harper, Fritz Weaver, Joe Inscoe, Mark Joy