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IMDbPro

Heart Like a Wheel

  • 19831983
  • PGPG
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
20,853
2,555
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 family life, she perseveres in her dream.
Play trailer1:14
1 Video
32 Photos
BiographyDramaRomance
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 famil... Read allShirley 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.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.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
20,853
2,555
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Jonathan Kaplan
    • Writers
      • Ken Friedman
      • Joan McCall(original script by)
      • David E. Peckinpah(uncredited)
    • Stars
      • Bonnie Bedelia
      • Beau Bridges
      • Bruce Barlow
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Jonathan Kaplan
    • Writers
      • Ken Friedman
      • Joan McCall(original script by)
      • David E. Peckinpah(uncredited)
    • Stars
      • Bonnie Bedelia
      • Beau Bridges
      • Bruce Barlow
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 18User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
    • 74Metascore
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:14
    Trailer

    Photos32

    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Bonnie Bedelia in Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Bonnie Bedelia and Beau Bridges in Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Bonnie Bedelia in Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)
    Heart Like a Wheel (1983)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bonnie Bedelia
    Bonnie Bedelia
    • Shirley Muldowney
    Beau Bridges
    Beau Bridges
    • Connie Kalitta
    Bruce Barlow
    • Bass Player, Tex's Band
    Leo Rossi
    Leo Rossi
    • Jack Muldowney
    Anthony Edwards
    Anthony Edwards
    • John Muldowney (age 15-23)
    Hoyt Axton
    Hoyt Axton
    • Tex Roque
    Paul Bartel
    Paul Bartel
    • Chef Paul
    Missy Basile
    • Angela
    Creed Bratton
    Creed Bratton
    • Photographer
    Jesse Aragon
    • Carlos
    Tiffany Brissette
    Tiffany Brissette
    • Little Shirley
    Paul Bryar
    Paul Bryar
    • Matt, Card Player
    James Burton
    James Burton
    • Guitar Player, Tex's Band
    Martin Casella
    Martin Casella
    • Reporter #1
    Michael Cavanaugh
    Michael Cavanaugh
    • NHRA Boss
    Sandy Chanley
    • Fan
    Mark Dawson
    • Guitar…
    Diane Delano
    Diane Delano
    • Shirley's Sister
    • Director
      • Jonathan Kaplan
    • Writers
      • Ken Friedman
      • Joan McCall(original script by)
      • David E. Peckinpah(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.
    • Goofs
      When Shirley shows up at the race track with her first dragster, Jack Muldowney says he's going to work on the "carb". The engine has Hilborn injectors, not carburetors.
    • Quotes

      Connie Kalitta: UNBECOMING, MY ASS!

      [after storming out, of the press room while the NHRA, revoked his racing license]

      Shirley Muldowney: How long?

      Connie Kalitta: Indefinite suspension.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Heart Like a Wheel/The Buddy System/La Balance/Carmen/Lonely Hearts (1984)
    • Soundtracks
      Born to Win
      Music & Lyrics by Tom Snow

      Performed by Jill Michaels

      Scotti Brothers Records

    User reviews18

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    having never heard of Shirley Muldowney before made this all the more impressive
    As someone who's not into drag racing, I had never heard of Shirley Muldowney before watching Jonathan Kaplan's Academy Award-nominated "Heart Like a Wheel" (not knowing what it was about, I assumed that it had something to do with Linda Ronstadt's song). My unfamiliarity made the movie all the more impressive. Like numerous people throughout history, Muldowney wanted to make something of herself.

    I understand that Muldowney would've preferred Jamie Lee Curtis in the role. I could see Curtis in the role, but I still think that Bonnie Bedelia did a fine job. It's not a masterpiece, but I recommend it.

    PS: supporting cast members Hoyt Axton and Dick Miller co-starred the following year in Joe Dante's "Gremlins".
    helpful•0
    0
    • lee_eisenberg
    • Jun 15, 2020

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 1, 1983 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • American Beauty
    • Filming locations
      • Olympia, Washington, USA
    • Production companies
      • Aurora
      • Michael Nolin
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $272,278
    • Gross worldwide
      • $272,278
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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