Porte à porte

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.

Bill Porter was born with cerebral palsy. As he tells a friend, "The doctor squeezed my head too tight when I was born." Bill had a good sense of humor, we believe he was just making a joke. His dad had been an award-winning salesman, and Bill wanted to follow in his footsteps, but was letting his disability hold him back. Until he told the head of sales, "Give me your worst route, the one no one wants. If I succeed, you're a hero. If I fail, you've lost nothing." Bill finds it very rough going at first, but eventually succeeds by getting to know all his customers and gaining their trust.

Bill Macy is just fabulous as Bill Porter. In this film they let his ears protrude naturally, instead of pinning them back as they have done for all his other films. The story spans 42 years, from 1955 when he gets his first job, to 1997 when he gets his route back after they have closed the door-to-door division, instead selling by phone and the internet. He realized he missed the human element too much.

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

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!

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!