Door to Door (2002) (TV)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Steven Schachter

Writers (WGA):

William H. Macy (written by) &
Steven Schachter (written by)

Release Date:

14 July 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A man with cerebral palsy is determined to become a salesman. |

Plot Keywords:

Salesman | Cerebral Palsy | Based On True Story

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 12 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

William H. Macy	...	Bill Porter
Kyra Sedgwick	...	Shelly Soomky Brady
Kathy Baker	...	Gladys Sullivan
Joel Brooks	...	Alan
Woody Jeffreys	...	Brad
Nancy Lenehan
Romy Rosemont
Eric Keenleyside	...	Neighbor Bob
Daryl Shuttleworth
Helen Mirren	...	Mrs. Porter
Bill Dow	...	Chuck
Michael Shanks	...	John
Michael P. Northey	...	Go Away Guy
Laurie Murdoch	...	Older Joey / Reporter
G. Patrick Currie	...	1st Bellman

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Brazil:Livre | Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Italy:VM14

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

TNT Originals

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Shelly is stepping into the shower you can see her brown bathing suit bottoms.

Quotes:

Joey Wallace: I guess this is where I'm supposed to plant my foot, try to keep you from closing the door on me.
Bill Porter: No, don't do that, that never works. I have to go.
[Bill shuts the door on Joey]

Soundtrack:

You Are So Beautiful

The story of Bill Porter.

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.