Puerta a puerta

William H. Macy strikes gold in this wonderfully done film. Not only was Macy the star of the story he was also the co-writer and Producer.

This is the story of Bill Porter, a door to door salesman for the Watkins company, who has cerebral palsy. The story takes us from the early 1950's up to the late 1990's and shows us the life of this salesman and all the people who he has met and affected, for over forty years.

Bill is a loveable, funny, caring, and sympathetic character who the viewer cannot help but fall in love with.

The story is well worth seeing and will leave you in tears at times, and laughing right up until the end. I highly recommend this wonderful film.

Viewers hint: Keep your eyes on the tree!

The problem with attempting to review this type of story is that we are not given much room for an opinion. How do we critique the representation of a character who started out with a debilitating disorder, and did everything he could to overcome his limitations? In a film such as "I Am Sam" we can draw attention to the flaws in its premise, but the premise of this story is entirely believable. So all one can do is give it praise or question whether there is a message that follows logically from that basis. We are presented with the life of Bill Porter, whose accident of birth left him with cerebral palsy at a time in history when such persons were typically institutionalized. But Bill had a mother who believed in him until he believed in himself. As a result, and against all odds, he became a door-to-door salesman for products now more conventionally available at the grocery store.

In these days of 800 numbers, the Internet and megaplex shopping centers, it is hard to imagine a day when the door to door salesman met the needs of the neighborhood personally. To a certain extent, this story is as much about that phenomenon as the life of Bill Porter. We see him finding a place in the lives of his customers, fulfilling a role not unlike that of a minister or psychologist, a person who quietly and tactfully linked people together, listened to their concerns, and helped to heal their wounds. At the same time, we see Bill as an all too real human being, himself, disabled not only physically, but emotionally. The deep sense of pride that drives him on also blocks him from experiencing a relationship of his own. It is a very moving and personal story, respectful and ennobling. It needs no other message.

Based on the true story of Bill Porter, this movie showcases a rarity: An admirable man. Movies today are so full of meanness, of violence, of generally nasty people, that this small movie about a man who insisted on earning his own way in life just shines like a beacon. William H. Macy's performance is award caliber. Actually everyone in the film is believable, and most are likeable and all are interesting. Even though I saw this great movie on a Ted Turner cable channel, I loved it, and recommend it to everyone. In fact, as a thank you, I rushed out the next day to buy the sponsor's product, elastic bandages. Johnson & Johnson really deserve our gratitude for presenting this marvelous story of a man who refused to accept anyone else's lack of belief in him. Bill Porter is a hero for modern America; this movie is inspiring.

I don't really understand why this movie was only made for TV, it has a lot of qualities that make it better than half the stuff out today on the big screen. But whether it's a big screen, a small screen, 2 hours, 90 minutes, this is still a good movie. William H. Macy is heartwarming and almost unrecognizable as Bill Porter. It's actually one of his best roles.

The one thing that bugged me were the title cards that had little quotes under the year the section of the movie was taking place, I didn't think those were needed. That aside, this is an overall good movie. It has drama, humour, and some damn fine acting.

My Rating: 7/10

I've always been suspicious of TV-only productions and TV-driven directors. "Door to Door", however, was a refreshing change in the sea of boredom and mediocrity latest TV productions have used us to.

It was a true delight to watch William H. Macy playing the salesman Bill Porter. We revisit generations from the 60s to the 90s -btw, great music selection - led by this guy who sells door to door. Helen Mirren who was recently in Gosford Park is great. Kathy Baker, the nurse in "The Cider House Rules" is fantastic. Both are short but great parts!

This movie is a must!