Heart Like a Wheel (1983)

Shirley Muldowney is determined to be a top-fuel drag racer, although no woman has ever raced them before. Despite the high risks of this kind of racing and the burden it places on her ... See full summary »

Director:

Jonathan Kaplan

Writers:

Ken Friedman, Joan McCall (original script by)

Stars:

Bonnie Bedelia, Beau Bridges, Bruce Barlow

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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	...	Reporter #1
Michael Cavanaugh	...	NHRA Boss

Storyline

Shirley Muldowney is determined to be a top-fuel drag racer, although no woman has ever raced them before. Despite the high risks of this kind of racing and the burden it places on her family life, she perseveres in her dream.

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Plot Keywords:

car racing | title based on song | racecar | woman wears a gas mask | racing | 

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Taglines:

She did something, women were forbidden to do and, become a World Champion.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance | Sport

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actor Charles Haid was originally cast as Connie Kalitta and filmed for several days before being fired for being difficult. He was replaced by Beau Bridges.

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Goofs

In the pits, standing by her dragster, Shirley's cigarette changes sizes during shots.

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Quotes

[after being slapped, by Shirley]
Connie Kalitta: Cha Cha Cha

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Connections

Referenced in Jersey Girl (2004)

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Soundtracks

Louie Louie
Written by Richard Berry
Performed by Jack Ely
Played on the radio at the garage

User Reviews

Cha Cha

Bonnie Bedelia got her career role in this biographical study of Shirley Ann Muldowney aka Cha Cha who became the first female drag racing champion. She cracked a lot of glass ceilings and this film is particularly good viewing as another woman is poised to crack the biggest glass ceiling of them all this year.

There were a lot of heartaches on the way for Muldowney, the break up of her marriage where her husband Leo Rossi felt relegated to the sidelines in his role reversal as her mechanic. There was also an affair with another drag racing champion played by Beau Bridges.

Bedelia is just wonderful in a role where she gradually ages almost 20 years and she's convincing at all stages of her life. She gets good support from her supporting cast. Special mention should go out to Leo Rossi who has a complex role as the husband who is never made a stereotypical alpha male. No trace of a Donald Trump like character is found in his performance. Also country singer Hoyt Axton does well as Bedelia's father.

I think more than drag racing fans will like Heart Like A Wheel which got an Oscar nomination for costume design.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 April 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

American Beauty

Filming Locations:

Beeline Raceway, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$272,278

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$272,278

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aurora, Michael Nolin, Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1