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Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Hollywood gets it wrong (again). Unfortunately, this film was made by a person in recovery, and not someone from Hollywood who could claim ignorance. Yes, anonymity is misunderstood among fellowship members, especially newer folks, but completely breaking it and "coming out" is not the answer. The answer is to better understand the 12th tradition and why these practices were put into place.The traditions in general were hard fought for by the "early timers" of AA, and there was a lot of pain in discovering what was best to keep AA alive. Ego, pride and money driven ideas had to be squashed and the focus put on remaining humble (not scared or ashamed as the film would have you believe). Anonymity at the level of press/TV/movies is there to keep our egos down. It's also there to protect AA from getting black eyes from famous folks raving about being in recovery and then getting a DUI the next weekend.Anonymity is also there to prevent the person in recovery from taking credit for recovery. As someone who is recovering, I can say that I did not chose to go to a rehab because I thought it would be cool, or because I wanted to. It was a last choice. Family was pushing me into it and my job was in jeopardy. I did not want recovery but wanted to stop getting into trouble. If I keep my anonymity, I am less likely to be bragging about being in recovery. I do not hide it, but I do guard it and share it with only my closer friends. I do this with my political and religious views as well.I am usually of the "live and let live" vein, but this is so near and dear to my heart, I felt I had to put my 2 cents in somewhere. Anonymously of course."The Anonymous People" seems to be an ego driven project, with arguments that were not backed up correctly, and although "technically" no one has broken any traditions here, it's pretty obvious these folks are in 12 step programs. It's sad that someone would use AA to get better and then try to use it to go against some traditions that prove to work, by recruiting folks in AA to join his cause, whatever that is, I'm still not clear.I counted 4 traditions broken with this movie. But that's me.

The Anonymous People is an honest look at the reality of recovery through the actual lives of individuals in long term recovery. It is designed to celebrate recovery and recognize that many individuals in long term recovery are contributing members of our society. I was pleased that it did NOT glorify the addiction but rather Glorified the process of Recovery. The individuals who are shown in this film are honest, hard working individuals who have struggled through addiction and are now on the other side and reaching out to help others. This movie can begin the process of reducing stigma and overcoming some of the obstacles people face in achieving long term recovery. Congratulations and THANK YOU to all who were involved in this project.

As a person in long-term recovery (37 years), I found this film to be highly inspirational! "The Anonymous People" is a rich social document that presents a history of the struggle folks like I have had to dispel stigma and feelings of shame or embarrassment about being an alcoholic/addict. The film demonstrates that for those of us who do successfully recover ~ we can become beacons of light and hope to those who still suffer from this illness ~ including our loved-ones! This film is an important vehicle by which we can further educate policy-makers and the general public about the value of entering into and maintaining recovery. The film's Director, Greg Williams, is extremely knowledgeable and respectful of 12-Step principals. The position he takes on the issue of anonymity is supported by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. I urge all with a loved-one suffering from addiction, or themselves with a drinking/drug problem or in recovery, and their friends & neighbors to watch this inspiring historic documentary film.

This documentary stresses the need for advocacy for the disease of addiction. If addiction has been established as a "chronic brain disease", the various recovery groups need to band together to have a collective voice and political power so that addicts can have treatment, not jail sentences. Also, more funding for research, treatment, and follow-up care is crucial.The film refers to the public advocacy efforts of the gay community which greatly reduced the stigma of HIV/AIDS,and led to expanded funding for research and treatment options.Our anonymous traditions keep us from having a unified front. For example, I couldn't pass out flyers for the film at my 12 Step meeting because it is not an official event of that fellowship. A local 12-Step clubhouse does not allow meeting lists for "the other fellowship" on premises, as that would break a tradition. But a sign on the wall refers people to the other fellowship. Few people have heard of other recovery support groups such as Women For Sobriety. If we weren't so anonymous, we could change the stigma still attached to addiction, and especially to relapse. Our collective voice,and our vote, would be at least 23.5 million strong.Bill Wilson himself spoke before a Senate committee in 1969. In 1976, celebrities in recovery, including actor Dick Van Dyke and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, publicly supported recognition of addiction as a disease (Operation Understanding). This progress was sadly lost in the "War on Drugs" of the 1980s, when incarceration of drug addicts spiked enormously. To this day, prisons are primarily populated with addicts. The Anonymous People covers these points with excellent historic footage.The film does not bash 12 Step groups. Actress Kristen Johnston is one person who says "I'm not going to hide in a church basement" (paraphrased). I heard one other "church basement" comment. Don't let those comments detract you from the point of the film. See it for yourself. It's about unity, advocacy, gaining a political voice and a public face to tell the world "We do recover". We will not be shamed by people who do not understand that addiction is a chronic brain disease. Diseases deserves empathy and medical care, not disgust and prison sentences.