Main Cast: Bonnie Bedelia, Beau Bridges, Leo Rossi, Hoyt Axton, Bill McKinney
Release Year: 1983
Country: US
Run Time: 113 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Plot
Heart Like a Wheel stars Bonnie Bedelia as real-life racing champion Shirley "Cha Cha" Muldowney. Overcoming sexist hurdles, Shirley works hard to qualify for the major auto race competitions of America. Firmly in her cheering section is her dad (Hoyt Axton), and--at least at first--her husband, mechanic Jack Muldowney (Leo Rossi). When Jack, jealous of Shirley's success, leaves her, she casts her lot with troublesome banned racer Connie Kalita (Beau Bridges). The film comes to a head at the 1966 National Hot Rod Association World Championship, which Shirley eventually wins three times. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Heart Like a Wheel is a by-the-numbers character study of the twists and turns in a woman's road toward success in a sport traditionally dominated by men. Beginning with what look like outtakes from Grease, Wheel takes Bonnie Bedelia's Shirley Muldowney realistically through the decades, from plucky naif to world-weary veteran, layering on the wear and tear as well as the shiftless suitors. By the time she earns the nickname "Cha Cha," she has become the grand dame of the sport, but also kind of a ridiculous figure, who traded her youthful vigor for the crass comfort of acceptance among a community of hot shots. Her effort to reclaim the old Shirley, while refusing to succumb to the fleeting charms of Beau Bridges' Connie Kalita, make up the last portion of the film, solidifying the female empowerment message that serves as an undercurrent. Bedelia gives an assured performance, and the film moves forward with narrative competence, but there are few deviations from the standard formula used to chart the tumultuous careers of athletes or other creative individuals. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
Anthony Edwards - John Muldowney, Age 15-23; Dean Paul Martin - Sonny Rigotti; Paul Bartel - Chef Paul; Missy Basile - Angela; Michael Cavanaugh - NHRA Boss; Ellen Geer - Mrs. Marianne Kalitta; Nora Heflin - Nurse North; Tiny Wells - Tiny; Jesse Aragon - Carlos; Paul Bryar - Matt, Card Player; Jill Carroll - John's Girl Friend; Martin Casella - Repoter #1; Diane Delano - Shirley's Sister; Mitzi Hoag - Shirley's Mother; Terence Knox - Jack's Friend; Sam Laws - Piano Player; Paul Linke - Reporter; Dick Miller - Mickey White; Harry Northrup - Trooper; Catherine Paolone - Mrs. Good Joe; Sam Posey - Himself; Michael Talbott - Englishtown Announcer; Leonard Termo - Good Joe; Byron Thames - John, age 10-13; Brandon Brent Williams - John, age 5-8; Bruce Barlow - Bass Player, Tex's Band; Thomas A. Duffield; Bob Minor - Ralph, NHRA Official; Tim Kimber - Buddy; Creed Bratton - Photographer; Sally Dennison; Mark Dawson - Guitar/Harmonica, Tex's Band; Robert Ridgely - Bob Morton, "Sportsline"
Credit
Arne Schmidt - Associate Producer, Shirley Muldowney - Consultant/advisor, William Theiss - Costume Designer, Jonathan Kaplan - Director, Conrad Palmisano - Second Unit Director, O. Nicholas Brown - Editor, James L. Stewart - Executive Producer, Rich Irvine - Executive Producer, Laurence Rosenthal - Composer (Music Score), Tom Snow - Songwriter, James Newport - Production Designer, Tak Fujimoto - Cinematographer, Martin F. Katz - Producer, Charles Roven - Producer, Thomas A. Duffield - Set Designer, Peg Cummings - Set Designer, Robert Gravenor - Sound/Sound Designer, Conrad Palmisano - Stunts, Debby Porter - Stunts, Ken Friedman - Screenwriter, David E. Peckinpah - Screenwriter
In 1956 Schenectady, New York, waitress Shirley Roque (Bonnie Bedelia) marries auto mechanic Jack Muldowney (Leo Rossi) over the mild objections of her singer father Tex (Hoyt Axton), who wants her to be able to take care of herself, rather than having to rely on a husband. Jack buys a gas station, Shirley becomes a housewife, and they have a son.
For fun, Jack races his sportscar against others on deserted stretches of road late at night. One time, Shirley talks him into letting her drive. She wins and continues winning. A chance encounter with professional driver "Big Daddy" Don Garlits (Bill McKinney) gives her the idea to look for sponsorship from one of the major car manufacturers, despite her husband's skepticism. This being the 1950s, a pretty housewife is not taken seriously, especially since there are no women pro drivers at all. But when she returns home, Jack tells her that he can build her a dragster.
In 1966, she is ready. She still needs to get three signatures before she can get her National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) license, nearly impossible in the macho racing world. Finally, Garlits (seeing an opportunity to broaden the popularity of the sport) signs, followed by funny car driver Connie Kalitta (Beau Bridges), who has his own reasons; Connie talks a reluctant third driver into going along. In her first attempt to qualify for a race, she sets a track record. Later, during a dinner with their respective spouses, Connie gets her alone, makes a pass at her, and gets slapped in the face.
Shirley becomes successful, racing on weekends, but when Connie decides to move up to Top Fuel dragsters, she wants to buy his funny car and compete year round. This is the last straw for her husband, who just wants his wife back, and they separate.
Connie and Shirley become involved, despite his continual philandering. In a 1973 race, her funny car is destroyed and she herself is seriously burned. When Connie is suspended indefinitely by the NHRA for fighting on her behalf, she tells him that she is going to Top Fuel. He becomes her crew chief. She wins her first NHRA national event in 1976, then the World Championship in 1977. Finally, tired of Connie's womanizing, she drops him from her team. Angry, he gets himself reinstated by the NHRA.
Shirley, with little sponsorship and an inexperienced crew, has two lean years, but rebounds in 1980. She races against Kalitta in that year's NHRA championship final. The film ends with her victory and their reconciliation, and her ex-husband (who had watched the victory on TV) giving her a private cheer.
