X
  • 1983
  • PG
  • Twentieth Century Fox
  • 1 h 53 m
  • 1983
  • PG
  • Twentieth Century Fox
  • 1 h 53 m
Heart Like a Wheel

Summary 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.

Directed By: Jonathan Kaplan

Written By: Ken Friedman, Joan McCall, David E. Peckinpah

  • 1983
  • PG
  • Twentieth Century Fox
  • 1 h 53 m
  • 1983
  • PG
  • Twentieth Century Fox
  • 1 h 53 m

Heart Like a Wheel

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 11 Critic Reviews
74
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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Summary 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.

Directed By: Jonathan Kaplan

Written By: Ken Friedman, Joan McCall, David E. Peckinpah

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 11 Critic Reviews
74
91% Positive
10 Reviews
9% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 11 Critic Reviews
74
91% Positive
10 Reviews
9% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
88
Not since Rocky has a modest, unheralded movie proved so satisfying. [31 Oct 1983]
By Bob Thomas FULL REVIEW
80
Director Kaplan has a generous, open-eyed affection for these quirky, hungry characters that he obviously wants to share. Smart host that he is, he doesn't over sing their praises. You warm to this movie at your own sweet speed. [31 Oct 1983, p.83]
By David Ansen FULL REVIEW
80
A film of great human drama and emotion, Heart Like a Wheel never fails to inspire.
FULL REVIEW
80
Heart Like A Wheel is a surprisingly fine biopic of Shirley Muldowney, the first professional female race car driver. What could have been a routine good ol' gal success story has been heightened into an emotionally involving, superbly made drama.
FULL REVIEW
70
Race fans won't be disappointed, but the real bonus comes from a perfect performance of tough understatement from Bonnie Bedelia as the three-time winner. The wheel may be a flash chrome slot-mag, but the heart is gold.
FULL REVIEW
70
Its story is unusual, but it's told in a style that is immediate and understandable, and that never opts for heroism at the expense of authenticity.
By Janet Maslin FULL REVIEW
60
The film is marred by a lackluster narrative, failing to inspire or move us in any way, but there's no denying Bedelia's beautifully nuanced performance.
FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company Aurora, Michael Nolin, Twentieth Century Fox
Release Date Apr 1, 1983
Duration 1 h 53 m
Rating PG
Genres
Tagline She did something, women were forbidden to do and, become a World Champion.
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Awards

Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Young Artist Awards
• 2 Nominations

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