Door to Door is a 2002 American biographical drama television film about Bill Porter, an inspiring and successful door-to-door salesman with cerebral palsy. The film stars William H. Macy, who plays Porter, and also features Helen Mirren, Kyra Sedgwick, Michael Shanks, and Kathy Baker. Door to Door, directed by Steven Schachter, was produced for the TNT cable network. The script was co-written by Macy,[1] and Forest Whitaker served as an executive producer. It was the first film made under the J&J Spotlight series banner, a partnership between TNT and Johnson & Johnson.[2] The film premiered on TNT on July 14, 2002.
| Door to Door | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama |
| Based on | Life of Bill Porter |
| Written by | William H. Macy Steven Schachter |
| Directed by | Steven Schachter |
| Starring | William H. Macy Kyra Sedgwick Helen Mirren Michael Shanks Kathy Baker |
| Music by | Jeff Beal |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Warren Carr |
| Cinematography | Jan Kiesser |
| Editor | Paul Dixon |
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | TNT |
| Release | July 14, 2002 |
Porter had been told for many years that he was not employable, but he was determined to succeed and focused his efforts on working as a salesman for Watkins. Despite the awkwardness and pain of his condition, he would walk eight to ten miles a day to meet his customers. Porter supported himself, and continued to work as a salesman until age 69.[3]
Door to Door was nominated for twelve Emmy Awards and won six, including Outstanding Made for Television Movie and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie (William H. Macy).[2] It also won a Peabody Award.
Plot
editBill Porter has been living with cerebral palsy since birth. As an adult, he takes it upon himself to seek employment but is met with rejection at various jobs. With the encouragement of his supportive mother Irene, Bill applies for a job as a door-to-door salesman for Watkins, a supplier of household items and baking products. At first, his overtures for the job are brushed off, but Bill's offer to take the least profitable route and work only for commissions convinces the hiring manager to give him a position. Bill's first day on the job gets off to a rocky start, as his route seems to be filled with surly would-be customers who are unwelcoming or uncomfortable with Bill's condition.
After the first few days of slammed doors and awkward interactions, Bill begins to doubt whether he is right for the job. Irene inspires him to not lose hope with a sandwich, and he works on improving his sales pitch. Soon, doors that were once slammed on Bill begin to stay open, and he is able to turn some customers into friends. Bill's customers include Gladys, a lonely widow who takes pity on Bill and gives him his first sale. He becomes acquainted with squabbling neighbors and a gay couple. Bill's supervisors also take notice of his job performance in the difficult sales territory and begin to support his efforts to grow his new job into a successful career.
Bill faces hardships when Irene is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. A Mormon couple wants to help Bill out, but his pride prevents him from accepting. To help with deliveries, Bill is forced to hire college student Shelly, who becomes a lifelong friend and confidante.
Cast
edit- William H. Macy as Bill Porter
- Kyra Sedgwick as Shelly Soomky Brady
- Helen Mirren as Irene Porter
- Kathy Baker as Gladys Sullivan
- Michael Shanks as John
Critical reception
editThe cast of Door to Door received widespread praise.[4] Michael Speier of Variety gave a mixed review where he wrote, "TNT's 'Door to Door' has all the earmarks of a message film, but no message."[5] He added that "presenting the condition [of cerebral palsy] as if it's a mere hindrance rather than something that can entail a lifetime of medical care…doesn't do as much justice to the cause of disabled individuals as it wants to."[5] He concluded: "But Macy's perf does shine. Heavily made up and wafer-thin, with speech slurred, back arched and ears protruding, he transforms cleanly into the man. It's the supporting cast, full of notable actors, that doesn't quite gel with the material. Mirren is awfully underused as the doting and determined mother who becomes hospitalized, Sedgwick is her chipper self in a part that doesn't require much depth and Baker plays her potentially profound role rather straight."[5]
Carla Meyer of the San Francisco Chronicle praised Macy and Mirren and the film "is one of those triumph-of-the-human-spirit TV movies, with hankies mandatory. But it's hardly ever hokey."[6] One of her criticisms was when the film "hits the '90s and focuses on Bill's resistance to the information age. This emphasis does a disservice to a man who's shown a remarkable ability to adapt -- to living with a disability, to a demanding job, to heartache."[6]
Awards and nominations
editAdaptations
editDoor to Door is also the name of a 2009 Japanese TV movie, starring Kazunari Ninomiya, which is set in Japan and loosely based on the Bill Porter story.
References
edit- ^ "Macy won't sell winning role short / Success at portraying losers creates opportunity to star in inspirational story". San Francisco Chronicle. July 7, 2002. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Martin, Denise (September 28, 2003). "TNT opens 'Door' to more made-fors". Variety. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Fox, Margalit (December 10, 2013). "Bill Porter, an Exceptional Salesman Who Inspired a Film, Dies at 81". The New York Times. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Leonard, John (July 15, 2002). "Knock, Knock". New York. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c Speier, Michael (July 11, 2002). "Door to Door". Variety. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Meyer, Carla (July 12, 2002). "Mirren, Macy sell show about huckster". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "8th Critics' Choice Movie Awards Winners and Nominees". bfca.org. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "Door to Door". Golden Globes. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "7th Annual TV Awards (2002-03)". oftaawards.com. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "Door to Door". Peabody Awards. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "Door to Door". emmys.com. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "2003 7th Annual SATELLITE Awards". International Press Academy. Archived from the original on November 11, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "9th Screen Actors Guild Awards". sagawards.org. Retrieved March 5, 2024.