Barrett Kalellis
Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003

It is refreshing to occasionally find a film that does not share the same interests and sensibilities of moviegoers in the 18- to 25-year-old demographic – you know, those who love car chases, fiery explosions, special effects, nudity, gratuitous sex and, above all, vulgar and profane discourse.

If you are not in this group, and want to be enthralled and inspired for two hours, you will want to keep on the lookout in your TV listings for another showing of a truly worthwhile recent movie called "Door to Door."

Based on a true story made into a TNT cable TV original movie in 2002, "Door to Door" chronicles the life of Bill Porter, a man who was born with cerebral palsy and was deemed for years to be unemployable.

Directed by Steven Schacter, with a script co-written by himself and Oscar-nominated veteran screen actor William H. Macy, who plays the lead in the Film, "Door to Door" follows Porter over a 40-year period as he pursues a career of door-to-door salesman of household products in his native Portland, Ore.

A talkative and good-natured fellow, with a goofy but pleasant smile on a face framed by jug-handle ears, Porter has had cerebral palsy since birth along with the characteristic muscular and speech disorders of the disease. Blessed with a dedicated and supportive mother, Irene, Bill was encouraged to develop whatever direct selling capabilities he could muster as a door-to-door salesman, instead of simply being shunted aside in an institution as was common back then.

As portrayed by Macy in a brilliant and extraordinary performance, Porter doggedly perseveres to overcome his many handicaps in a difficult vocation. With neither an overbearing, extroverted "sales" personality or demeanor, and having to slog 8 to 10 miles on foot every day in pain through residential neighborhoods just to make a living, Porter is a case study in personal grit and determination.

With rare insight and sensitivity, Macy makes us see, as did Porter, the man and not his disability. His customers must have learned this as well, because Porter went on to outsell every other salesperson in the area to become one of the top earners for The Watkins Company in Portland. The movie details how he became a part of the lives and hearts of the many customers on his route, just connecting with people over a 40-year career.

With the progressive deterioration and ultimate death of his mother from Alzheimer's disease, the film is very moving in dealing with its effect on young Bill, who then had to fend for himself.

We meet a veritable rogues' gallery of persons who become a part of Porter's life experience as he makes his daily rounds: kindly women who bought his products out of sympathy but never used them; people who slammed the door in his face; gay couples who remained loyal to him; adulterous customers who cheated on their spouses. All these became, in one way or another, attached to Bill, and their lives became intertwined with his. As further testimony to his tenacity, even if they moved, Bill would find their addresses and continue to sell them his products.

One person who helped Porter was a young college student named Shelly Brady, played in the film by Kyra Sedgwick. Brady was employed by Porter as a business associate to help him deliver the products to customers since his disability made it unable for him to do this. Over the years their relationship grew into a warm friendship, and to this day, Brady is involved with Porter in speaking to various business groups. She has written a book on her experiences, which was published in 2002.

At the ripe old age of 70, Bill Porter's world of the door-to-door salesman has gone forever. But with his indomitable spirit, Bill still pushes on, selling his products now by means of the Internet..

Just three weeks ago, the American Film Institute awarded "Door to Door" with its Award 2002 for Outstanding Excellence. For his work in the film, William H. Macy has been nominated for the 2003 Golden Globe Award. Broadcast on TNT in July 2002 and again in mid-December, "Door to Door" is now available in VHS or DVD format in local video stores.

There are millions of remarkable men and women who, against formidable odds, get up every day and go to work. You never hear about any of them. If you watch this movie, you will learn of but one. In my dictionary, next to the word courage there is a picture of Bill Porter.

Barrett Kalellis is a columnist and writer whose articles appear regularly in various local and national print and online publications. You may reach Mr. Kalellis at kalellis@newsmax.com

Editor's note:
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