Heart Like a Wheel

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".