Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      Heart Like a Wheel

      PG Released Sep 15, 1983 1h 53m Biography List
      100% 10 Reviews Tomatometer 82% 1,000+ Ratings Audience Score During the 1950s, housewife Shirley Muldowney (Bonnie Bedelia) talks her mechanic husband, Jack (Leo Rossi), into letting her street race his sports car. She quickly discovers she has a true talent and begins pursuing a career as a professional driver. At first, Shirley is met with skepticism among the racing community and is denied the license necessary to drive professionally. But when she's finally given the chance to prove herself, she shows that racing isn't always a man's game. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

      View All (10) Critics Reviews
      Gary Arnold Washington Post Heart Like a Wheel goes a little spongy by failing to let the protagonist force enough of the action... A charismatic leading performance remains this film's tantalizing intangible - it might have put a good movie over the top emotionally. May 9, 2018 Full Review Duane Byrge Hollywood Reporter Heart is an often enthralling film of determination, heartbreak and triumph. Apr 3, 2018 Full Review Susan Jhirad Sojourner It manages without sentimentality or overstatement to tell a true story of liberation. Aug 20, 2019 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com This charming movie further expanded the roles allotted to women, chronicling the career of Muldowney (splendidly played by Bonnie Badelia), the only race driver (male or female) to have won three times the National Hot Rod Association World Championship Rated: B+ Dec 7, 2006 Full Review Chuck O'Leary FulvueDrive-in.com A solid entry in the overcoming-great-odds-to-become-a-champion biopic. Rated: B- Oct 2, 2006 Full Review Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Rated: 3/5 Jul 8, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (35) audience reviews
      steve d Surprisingly great sports film with a fantastic performance from Bonnie Bedelia. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member The best sports movie ever made! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member 4.0/5.0 stars - Grade: B+ Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member True story about a female hot rod driver and her attempts to escape sexism and stereotypes in the male dominated racing world. Based on a true story, this drama tries to be a voice for female empowerment but ultimately falls short due to its weak script and mediocre direction. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member A "must see" for drag racers that understand the sport and the tragedies that can and will happen to most involved, including me. Shirley Muldowney is a legend in drag racing and I saw her beat "Big Daddy" Don Garlits. The movie takes you from how drivers get the racing bug, join the NHRA, and start a career that takes you to the top. Pitfalls along the way are expected, but overall "Heart Like A Wheel" is a winner! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Audience Member Been looking to get this flick on DVD for years - hard to come by. But definitely worth it. Just a great, great movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      More Like This

      View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
      59% 75% Cross Creek 100% 77% The Buddy Holly Story 81% 76% Bound for Glory 50% 89% Joe Hill 85% 60% Stavisky Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

      Photos

      View All Heart Like a Wheel photos

      Heart Like a Wheel

      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) View more photos

      Movie Info

      Synopsis During the 1950s, housewife Shirley Muldowney (Bonnie Bedelia) talks her mechanic husband, Jack (Leo Rossi), into letting her street race his sports car. She quickly discovers she has a true talent and begins pursuing a career as a professional driver. At first, Shirley is met with skepticism among the racing community and is denied the license necessary to drive professionally. But when she's finally given the chance to prove herself, she shows that racing isn't always a man's game.
      Director
      Jonathan Kaplan
      Rating
      PG
      Genre
      Biography
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Sep 15, 1983, Original
      Release Date (DVD)
      Apr 8, 2014
      Runtime
      1h 53m