Dear Reader: Update, Movie Review Intelligence will discontinue
publishing this website at the end of May (more...)
Search a Movie:
BILL W.Movie Reviews
Documentary about Bill Wilson, who survived his own alcoholism and became co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. Cast:Leila J. Babson, Dr. Bob, David Caporale, Kathleen Emmans, Blake J. Evans, Chris Gates, Catherine Hogan, Tim Intravia, Rachel Lynn Jackson, Laura Kauffmann, Andrew J. Langton, Dennis Lowell, Martin McColgan, Brendan McMahon, Ed MoroneyDirector:Dan Carracino, Kevin HanlonRelease Date:May 18, 2012DVD Release: TBD From:Independent PicturesLength:1 hr. 44 min.
Bill W. played in key cities to good reviews. • Kerry Lengel wrote in the Arizona Republic, "...succeeds largely on the strength of Wilson's voice.... a portrait of a reluctant guru whose human imperfections make him all the more inspiring." • And Sheri Linden wrote in the Los Angeles Times, "Laudatory but never simplistic..." More Reviews Below...
Bill W. Positive Reviews (14 Reviews, reviews below)
Roger Ebert, RogerEbert.com: VERY GOOD(cg) "...incorporates such film footage of Bill as is available, and then uses actors to re-enact chapters in his story... The period re-creations are detailed and convincing."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 636 words, 08/03/12
we have an app for when you're out and about
get our iPhone app... or get our mobile web app...
movie review intelligence
NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (9 Reviews)
Nicolas Rapold, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...hampered by a slavish adherence to chronology and vintage audio... the big, and fascinating, question of what role spirituality played receives cautious attention at best."(See all of Nicolas Rapold's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 272 words, 05/28/12
Sheri Linden, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "There's an unflashy clarity... Laudatory but never simplistic... a thoroughly engrossing portrait of William G. Wilson, his times and the visionary fellowship that is his legacy."(See all of Sheri Linden's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 257 words, 05/18/12
Lou Lumenick, New York Post: VERY GOOD(cg) "...draws on a treasure trove of archival footage, audio recordings and interviews with people who knew him, and drives home his lifelong struggle with depression..."(See all of Lou Lumenick's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 176 words, 05/18/12
John Anderson, New York Newsday: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "If anyone deserves a big-screen treatment, it's Bill Wilson... Sturdy, informed and reverent... with a few too many undercooked dramatic re-enactments."(See all of John Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 291 words, 05/18/12
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: VERY GOOD(cg) "...incorporates such film footage of Bill as is available, and then uses actors to re-enact chapters in his story... The period re-creations are detailed and convincing."(See all of Roger Ebert's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 636 words, 08/03/12
Ernest Hardy, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "Its elements never quite gel. They do, however, serve up an engrossing portrait of a remarkable man who remained humble... he became something of a revolutionary."(See all of Ernest Hardy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 213 words, 05/16/12
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Globe & Mail: VERY GOOD(cg) "Irony doesn't come much bitterer than finding yourself famous for founding Alcoholics Anonymous. It's this Bill Wilson who eventually emerges so forcefully and poignantly..."(See all of Geoff Pevere's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 549 words, 08/17/12
Glenn Sumi, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "This isn't a great documentary, but the man and his message at its heart are very important indeed.... earnest, straightforward and oddly uninvolving."(See all of Glenn Sumi's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 297 words, 08/23/12
KEY CITIES (4 Reviews)
Stephanie Merry, Washington Post: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "...a real portrait that demonstrates that even when alcoholics quit drinking, it doesn't cure them of their other flaws. But it also gives credit where it's due."(See all of Stephanie Merry's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 491 words, 06/01/12
Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic: EXCELLENT(cg) "...succeeds largely on the strength of Wilson's voice.... a portrait of a reluctant guru whose human imperfections make him all the more inspiring."(See all of Kerry Lengel's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 419 words, 06/08/12
David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle: VERY GOOD(cg) "...a workmanlike, educational effort - but 'Bill W.' more than succeeds in shedding light on an important figure who has affected the lives of millions..."(See all of David Lewis's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 218 words, 08/03/12
Tom Long, Detroit News: VERY GOOD(cg) "The best thing about this is it paints the man as both inspirational and weak, damaged and determined and always searching. It makes Bill W. human."(See all of Tom Long's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 286 words, 09/28/12
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (3 Reviews)
Ernest Hardy, Village Voice/LA Weekly: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "Its elements never quite gel. They do, however, serve up an engrossing portrait of a remarkable man who remained humble... he became something of a revolutionary."(See all of Ernest Hardy's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 213 words, 05/16/12
Glenn Sumi, Toronto Now: GOOD (NOT GREAT)(cg) "This isn't a great documentary, but the man and his message at its heart are very important indeed.... earnest, straightforward and oddly uninvolving."(See all of Glenn Sumi's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 297 words, 08/23/12
HIGHBROW PRESS (2 Reviews)
Nicolas Rapold, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...hampered by a slavish adherence to chronology and vintage audio... the big, and fascinating, question of what role spirituality played receives cautious attention at best."(See all of Nicolas Rapold's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 272 words, 05/28/12
Sheri Linden, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "There's an unflashy clarity... Laudatory but never simplistic... a thoroughly engrossing portrait of William G. Wilson, his times and the visionary fellowship that is his legacy."(See all of Sheri Linden's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 257 words, 05/18/12
MOVIE INDUSTRY (3 Reviews)
John Anderson, Daily Variety: GOOD "...sturdy bio-docu.... a sensational story that many will think they know, but don't... the story itself overcomes the occasional misfire..."(See all of John Anderson's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 539 words, 05/16/12
Sheri Linden, Los Angeles Times: EXCELLENT "There's an unflashy clarity... Laudatory but never simplistic... a thoroughly engrossing portrait of William G. Wilson, his times and the visionary fellowship that is his legacy."(See all of Sheri Linden's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 257 words, 05/18/12
Nicolas Rapold, New York Times: GOOD (NOT GREAT) "...hampered by a slavish adherence to chronology and vintage audio... the big, and fascinating, question of what role spirituality played receives cautious attention at best."(See all of Nicolas Rapold's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 272 words, 05/28/12
10.2 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Bill W.'s reviews are separated by an average 10.2 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Bill W. (14 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Bill W.'s reviews cover 15.9% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 4,857 words involume (average is 20,172 words). Length:The film's reviews average 347 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Bill W. Coverage, Volume & Length (14 Reviews, reviews below)
Reviews Broke 29 Days After Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Bill W.'s reviews on average broke 29 days after opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Bill W.'s opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
Mobile Web App version 1.2 shows a list of all current movies and review information. You can click through to the cast, director, synopsis, release date and rating on page two, plus individual reviews on page three. The information is updated on a live/real-time basis. You can also search our database of films. Designed for when you're on the move and want the latest info, this app will work on any mobile web browser. From your mobile device -- only from a mobile device -- open our Mobile Web App here...
