Heart Like a Wheel (1983)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Jonathan Kaplan

Writers:

Ken Friedman (writer)
Joan McCall (screenplay)

Release Date:

1 April 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Sport

Plot:

Shirley Muldowney is determined to be a top-fuel drag racer, although no woman has ever raced them before...

Plot Keywords:

Racing | Drag Racing

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Bonnie Bedelia	...	Shirley Muldowney
Beau Bridges	...	Connie Kalitta
Bruce Barlow	...	Bass Player, Tex's Band
Leo Rossi	...	Jack Muldowney
Anthony Edwards	...	John Muldowney (age 15-23)
Hoyt Axton	...	Tex Roque
Paul Bartel	...	Chef Paul
Missy Basile	...	Angela
Creed Bratton	...	Photographer
Jesse Aragon	...	Carlos
Tiffany Brissette	...	Little Shirley
Paul Bryar	...	Matt, Card Player
James Burton	...	Guitar Player, Tex's Band
Martin Casella	...	Repoter #1
Michael Cavanaugh	...	NHRA Boss

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:PG (certificate #26895) | Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Beeline Raceway, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Company:

Aurora

Trivia:

Sound clips from the movie was used on the song "Shirley" by L7 on their CD "HUNGRY FOR STINK" from 1994.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: A sign for Pepsi's famous "Be Sociable/Have a Pepsi" campaign is visible in barroom scene set in 1956, two years earlier than that slogan was actually launched.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Shirley Muldowney: Behind the Wheel (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

Waitin' for Love

Great Film

I saw this movie when it was shown in theaters back in 1983. It is without a doubt a great film due, in large part, to Bonnie Bedelia's performance. Heart Like A Wheel is by far her finest film, and she deserved an Academy Award nomination. The bonus material, on the 2006 DVD release, is interesting enough. Muldowney's derogatory remarks on Bedelia were uncalled for, especially in light of the critical praise she has received for her role. Jonathan Kaplan's comments painted a much different picture of Bedelia's work ethic. Make sure you watch the film at least once with Kaplan's commentary; it is the best bonus feature and very entertaining.