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From: eli@uw-june (Eli Messinger)
Newsgroups: net.movies
Subject: Heart Like a Wheel
Message-ID: <525@uw-june>
Date: Fri, 12-Aug-83 16:50:47 EDT
Article-I.D.: uw-june.525
Posted: Fri Aug 12 16:50:47 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 13-Aug-83 18:22:55 EDT
Organization: U. Washington, Computer Sci
Lines: 42

I don't think this film is in general release yet -- and might never
be.  My understanding is that it is being given a test run here in
Seattle (at the Varsity Theater on University Way for those in the
area).  Apparently some folks from the Seattle International Film
Festival convinced 20th Century Fox to test it here before shelving
it.  If all goes well here it should see general release.

"Heart Like a Wheel" is the story of drag-racing phenominon Shirley
'Cha-Cha' Muldowney.  About half-way through the film I realized that
that name had been etched into my brain by countless "40 Nitro Burning
Funny Car" adds... ie. it's a true story.

Originally this film tested in Indianapollis, where it was billed as
a drag-queen story.  Unfortunately for the film the auto-racing aspects
of the plot are not all that pertinent, and the showing bombed.

This is a story of a very talented and strong woman, pushing to be
allowed to escape traditional 1950's-60's stereotypes and enter a pro-
fession that was basically a male's haven.  It also concerns the rel-
ationships with the four men in her life, and how her struggles affect
her abilities to deal with them and them with her.

The casting is quite good, as is the script and photography.  They've
managed to put in just enough Drag footage to give you the feel of the
track without putting in so much that you feel greasy.  Simlarly, and
this is something I don't remember seeing too often, the few fight
sequences are amazingly realistic -- two or three punches for each par-
ticipant before they are either unable or unwilling to fight anymore.
(How many times have you seen someone cracked on the head with a crowbar
seven or eight times and still move?)

I don't want to say too much -- in hopes that the film will see general
release.  I'm thankful for films like "Norma Rae" that have paved the
way for acceptance of this genre (if you could call it that yet).  Who
would have thought ten years ago that a film about a lower-middle-class
female's desires and needs to break the sacred wife-mother model would
ever be produced?

If it comes to your town SEE IT!  (And if you're in the Seattle are go
see it at the Varsity ASAP... 20th Century Fox is watching)

		... uw-june!eli