Description

WILLIAM H. MACY plays Bill who, despite crippling cerebral palsy, uses humor, initiative and warmth to make his way as a salesman and to make a difference in the lives of his customers. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

William H. Macy gives the perfomance of a lifetime!
It is hard to believe that William H. Macy did not get an Oscar for his performance in this film. The film tells the real life story of a door-to-door salesman named Bill Porter (Macy) who overcomes his challenges with cerebral palsy in order to become the company's most successful door-to-door salesman. Having overcome physical challenges, the movie shows the human side of Bill Porter as it shows the wall of self-independence he has erected and the friendships he develops, and almost loses, as he allows others who care about him to help him and become a part of his life.

This movie is funny, heart-warming, and endearing thanks to what I consider the best performance from William H. Macy ever. A must see movie!

Patience and Persistence
One doesn't see the classic DOOR TO DOOR salesman anymore. (The occasional youthful hawker of magazine subscriptions or Girl Scout cookies doesn't count.) But for more than 40 years beginning in 1955, Bill Porter walked the same sales route in Oregon for the (real-life) Watkins Company, which sold (and still sells) an esoteric mix of products from laundry soap to dog biscuits to condiments.

Porter was afflicted with cerebral palsy at birth. In this made-for-TV film, Porter (William Macy) explains its cause as the too assiduous application of forceps by the obstetrician who delivered him. As the film opens, Bill is attempting, at age 21, to land his first job as a salesman, the profession of his deceased father. Porter is encouraged and supported by his mother (Helen Mirren), who writes the words "patience" and "persistence" with ketchup on the outside of her son's brown-bag sandwiches after Watkins reluctantly hires the young man. To prove that he can do the job despite his disability, Porter has challenged Watson by offering to take the toughest sales route that nobody else wants. Soon after, Bill's mother begins to suffer the mental impairment that eventually lands her in an assisted care facility. Bill is now on his solitary own.

If it wasn't for Macy's performance, DOOR TO DOOR would just be another of those warm and fuzzy human interest stories that otherwise makes my eyeballs roll for its political correctness. Macy, who's cast in the lead too infrequently, turns in his best performance since FOCUS (2001) - perhaps better. The actor's depiction of Porter's handicap is a pointed reminder of the difficulties to be surmounted by one so afflicted, even including painful isolation from normal, male-female sexual intimacy and romance.

At the end of the film's credits, the audience is made aware of the fact that the real-life Bill Porter has a website. Out of curiosity, I signed onto it and discovered that it's actually a link to Watson's on-line shopping catalog. It left me wondering if I hadn't just been manipulated into watching a lengthy Watson promo. It's that vague feeling of having been conned that causes me to award 4 stars instead of the five otherwise due Macy's brilliant work.

Excellent
William Macy, like no other actor I think, can evoke such feelings of compassion. He is also plays a very likeable developmentally disabled person in this film. Bring a Kleenex box along when you view this movie. As a parent of a severely disabled autistic boy, I felt for the character who was limited in his coping skills but who tried and tried and tried to make his life meaningful and to help others through his job as a traveling salesman. Detractors may say Macy over acts, but I think his character makes a sterling point, that people can overcome their severe disabilities with perseverance and the constancy that evolves from the honesty of the human heart.

A+

Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"

Nice Uplifting Movie
This film doesn't aspire to be much more than it is - a simple, well acted movie that follows a very determined man who has cerebal palsy through his life and career and shows how he snuck in touched others lives along the way. The movie is quiet and unfolds slowly. If you are patient, it will grow on you just as Bill Porter slowly grew on his customers. Touching and inpiring.

A MUST WATCH
A must watch movie for all ages. William H.Macey portraits Bill Porter who has C.P. It is about the trials and tribulations he endures every-day . All that he wanted was a sense of belonging. Through his perseverance and determination he gets a job with "Watkins House Hold Products" selling their products door to door. A truly inspirationl account of one man's courage. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

caught off guard
OK. So, I stumbled upon this movie, chosen by a friend, and not expecting it to actually be good, was totally caught off guard. This is actually, in my opinion, not only completely clever in the humor, but some of William H. Macy's best comedic work, on par with "Fargo". While I could analyze the appropriateness of the genre and all that jazz, and I am just going to suffice it to say that it is an entertaining movie with humor right up the alley of those seeking humor slightly off the beaten path. As is necessary for a good film, it boasts a completely talented cast, and I was impressed no only by William Macy's performance, but also by Adam Arkin,a completely overlooked and incredibly talented actor.

Very Slight
I found this movie to be cute and funny in some places, and strangely repellent in others. The overall premise was good, and there were lots of great scenes like the bank robbery, and appealing characters like the detective with a screenplay (Adam Arkin) and the protagonists sassy girlfriend Kit (Felicity Huffman) but as the story continued, the main character became less and less likable, and the so called villains more likable. Nor was this just some ploy to show that we're all human underneath or something, because the tone of the film was still flippant and disturbing. The screenplay was unbalanced. In its attempt to give us a flawed anti-hero like all good film noirs, it created a bit of a monster.

This is a great movie!
Like some of the best movies I have seen, I caught this one by accident. I am not going to go into some long winded review about "film noir" blah, blah, blah. I recommend this movie to anybody that has not seen it. If you like movies like "Three O'Clock High", "Red Rock West", "After Hours" or if you liked "Fargo"...check this one out.

Another 'comedy' neo-noir.
It is probably the reductio ad absurdum of the self-conscious neo-noir that its ultimate hero/villain/victim should be a film critic, about as far removed from the original prole/lower-middle-class noir heroes (e.g. 'The Postman Always Rings Twice', 'Double Indemnity') as you could get. Faced with a crisis (he accidentally murders his lover), Terry Thorpe turns it into a screenplay, a fiction - if he plays by the film noir rules, he can worm his way out of it. And this is what saves the film from smart-alecky ghastliness - it is a film about mid-life crisis, the flaws and difficulties of the modern, affluent, middle-aged man. It seems like noir can still speak for people rather than to itself, but this often palls. the best joke is a corpse called Laura who doesn't get up. ... Read more

Description

When an honored cop finds his brother in bed with his wife, there are no lengths he won't go to for revenge and no one is above suspicion. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Terrific thriller with a strong role by Christopher Reeve.
When a police detective (Christopher Reeve) got shot and he becomes crippled from a bust gone bad. He fined to a wheelchair and clinically depressed. When his unfaithful wife (Kim Cattrall) Cheats on him with his brother (Edward Kerr), when he finds out, he goes on a revenge and everything are not as they seem to the Ex-Police Detective.

Sharply directed by Steven Schachter but the real winner goes to Screenwriters: Jerry Lazarus, William H. Macy (Boogie Nights, Jurassic Park 3) and Steven Schachter. Also actor Joe Mantegna gives a fine performance. Made for Television from the Home Box Office (HBO) Network. Grade:A-.

Good drama-thriller.
I liked director Steven Schachter's TV movie "The Con" very much so when this movie was on TV, I decided to see if it was as good as that one. It was. It's about Dempsey, a policeman, who gets shot and, as a result of this, paralyzed in his legs. He gets depressed and the fact that his wife and his brother have an affair doesn't make things better (it's sad and ironic that Christopher Reeve actually got paralyzed not long after this movie was finished).

The movie has a good story, I won't tell you too much and spoil it for you, and all of the actors are very good. The movie was co-written by William H. Macy who also appears in a small part (he also co-wrote "The Con"). It works well both as a good thriller and as a drama. Enjoy!

When the writing is good
ABOVE SUSPICION is a good film. I give five ***** to the main characters including Reeve, Joe Mantegna, and Kim Cattrall. Ms Cattrall proves that nudity properly employed serves to contribute to the plot rather than distract you from it. Mantegna has to handle the old cliche role: "I'm a better cop than college-trained Christopher because I'm a street cop." He does a top drawer job of keeping the "street cop" role on balance. I thoroughly enjoy a movie when the writing is good. In ABOVE SUSPCION the writing was good . . . super . . . the very best suspense entertainment. It was the best suspense movie that I've seen in years. You might find--as I did--that you'll be rooting at one time or another for all of the characters along the way.

Above Suspicion was a Great Movie!
For Once the bad guy wins! Finally a movie that is more realistic, after all OJ did get off. This movie was one for the records! Reeves was Excellent!

Captivating drama with outstanding performance from Reeve
Christopher Reeve turns in an excellent performance in this captivating drama with sometimes-predicable twists. Nevertheless, the ending will surprise you.

Definitely, this movie is worth watching. ... Read more

Description

In the 1930s, Charles Lang invents an engine that runs using water for fuel. But when he tries to get it patented, he is first offered a ridiculously low amount. When he refuses, he is suddenly several people are pressuring him to sell. The big oil companies don't want the competition. Now he has to try and keep them from getting his idea, and somehow get it published. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

.
A fine little movie based on a play by David Mamet. It maybe gets a little carried away with itself towards the end, and suffers from its "made for television" aesthetic, but it's still well-performed, gripping, and dark.

Great movie about deceptive lawyers
Outstanding movie about corrupt lawyers and big business. Any small manufacturer who has created a unique product and hopes to distribute it through stores like Staples, Office Depot, and CompUSA, (i.e., large U.S. specialty retailers) should see this movie before talking to anyone--particularly the buyers for the retailers. This movie takes viewers through the hair-raising twists and turns of deception and corruption that lead eventually to murder. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Ahh, the hitch 'n' ditch ...
Attractive, worldly con-woman seduces and marries small-town rube for his inheritance. Got to end in tears, right?

William H. Macy stars in this delightful hybrid of extortion thriller and romantic comedy. For the bulk of the running time, it's eminently watchable without really treading new ground. Then, just when you think you've got the ending sorted out in your head ...

If, like me, you'd listen to Mr Macy read his grocery list (and likely shout 'encore!' afterwards) then this will not disappoint. If not ... well, it won't disappoint anyway. It's funny, it's moving without being treacly, and best of all, it isn't entirely predictable. Top stuff.

very good movie to watch
I thought this was a very good movie,all the characters--cast seemed to enjoy being in this movie.I thought the story was good,had alot of twists and turns.Mr. Macy seemed a little to stereotypical at times but he's a good actor,Ms.DeMornay was excellent,and the old ladies added a nice touch!I highly recommend it!...

Excellent!
I couldn't leave the room, I loved this movie! The actors were so good, I did not recognize who they were at first. I can't wait until "The Con" comes out on DVD so I can buy it.

More than just a romantic comedy
I can't believe this is just a lesser-known movie made for TV. It is a great movie and it deserves to be seen by many more people. The screenplay (co-written by William H. Macy) is very good with quite deep characters and a number of very funny scenes. William H. Macy is good as Bobby, the lonely gas station attendant, who has no idea he's about to inherit 2 million dollars, and Rebecca De Mornay is just as good as Barbara ("Nancy"), who wants to marry him only to get her hands on his money. Her character is well written and her fine performance makes it even better. It's a shame she doesn't get more good parts. When Babrara (who now calls herself Nancy) arrives in the small town where Bobby lives with his aunts, she gets accepted and she becomes a better person and realizes that maybe Bobby isn't as dull as he seems to be.

If you get a chance to see or buy this movie, don't miss it! It is a beautiful movie!

In my own words
I really liked this movie alot. I have seen some of Rebecca DeMornay's other movies and I liked this one the best so far.It shows her range and ability. Her hair was cool. I thought she carried the movie. I highly recommend it! I don't know what she's like in person,but her character was very good and if she's anything like the personality of this character,then it's all our loss who do not know her in person! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

caught off guard
OK. So, I stumbled upon this movie, chosen by a friend, and not expecting it to actually be good, was totally caught off guard. This is actually, in my opinion, not only completely clever in the humor, but some of William H. Macy's best comedic work, on par with "Fargo". While I could analyze the appropriateness of the genre and all that jazz, and I am just going to suffice it to say that it is an entertaining movie with humor right up the alley of those seeking humor slightly off the beaten path. As is necessary for a good film, it boasts a completely talented cast, and I was impressed no only by William Macy's performance, but also by Adam Arkin,a completely overlooked and incredibly talented actor.

Very Slight
I found this movie to be cute and funny in some places, and strangely repellent in others. The overall premise was good, and there were lots of great scenes like the bank robbery, and appealing characters like the detective with a screenplay (Adam Arkin) and the protagonists sassy girlfriend Kit (Felicity Huffman) but as the story continued, the main character became less and less likable, and the so called villains more likable. Nor was this just some ploy to show that we're all human underneath or something, because the tone of the film was still flippant and disturbing. The screenplay was unbalanced. In its attempt to give us a flawed anti-hero like all good film noirs, it created a bit of a monster.

This is a great movie!
Like some of the best movies I have seen, I caught this one by accident. I am not going to go into some long winded review about "film noir" blah, blah, blah. I recommend this movie to anybody that has not seen it. If you like movies like "Three O'Clock High", "Red Rock West", "After Hours" or if you liked "Fargo"...check this one out.

Another 'comedy' neo-noir.
It is probably the reductio ad absurdum of the self-conscious neo-noir that its ultimate hero/villain/victim should be a film critic, about as far removed from the original prole/lower-middle-class noir heroes (e.g. 'The Postman Always Rings Twice', 'Double Indemnity') as you could get. Faced with a crisis (he accidentally murders his lover), Terry Thorpe turns it into a screenplay, a fiction - if he plays by the film noir rules, he can worm his way out of it. And this is what saves the film from smart-alecky ghastliness - it is a film about mid-life crisis, the flaws and difficulties of the modern, affluent, middle-aged man. It seems like noir can still speak for people rather than to itself, but this often palls. the best joke is a corpse called Laura who doesn't get up. ... Read more