Apple Mail App.

I noticed that there are font and background changin options in this application. When I tried to change the background color this option did not work. I checked out the help app. but what it said to do (make rule) did not work either. I was wondering if there are any plugins or apps like the Mail app that i can download. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

you could try thunderbird.....

http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/

Im a pretty big fan of mail though, when I do use it it works great, more often than not however I just get on the gmail web site its just easier