The 1980s saw the release of a number of American "women's pictures", most of which were informed by subtle social changes (in 1981, American laws eliminating of all forms of discrimination against women came into effect) and most of which saw strong-willed women battling against the odds.
One such film was 1983's "Heart Like a Wheel", the tale of drag racing legend Shirley Muldowney. Played by actress Bonnie Bedelia, Muldowney's a female drag racer who finds herself belittled and berated by sexist drivers, all of whom deem the racetrack to be "no place for women". Muldowney stands her ground, of course, and kicks down doors of discrimination in her own little way.
Fittingly, "Heart Like a Wheel" opens with a father informing his daughter that he wishes for her to be "self-reliant and not dependent on men". The rest of the film finds Muldowney locked in various power struggles, both within her marriage and with others racers, one of whom is infectiously played by actor Beau Bridges. As is typical of such films, most men in the picture are portrayed as philanders, drunks, jealous types or irrational hot-heads. Ironically, racing movies prior to the eighties (see 1969's "Winning" in particular) had begun to critique macho obsessions with winning, possessions and dominance. By the time "Heart Like a Wheel" came around, the on-screen male driver had already been neutered. He would be rehabilitated come the late 1980s, an insecure backlash against a perceived loss of male privilege. Muldowney, incidentally, was the first woman to receive a license from the National Hot Rod Association, and would be dubbed The First Lady of drag racing.
7.5/10 – Worth one viewing. See "Downhill Racer".
One such film was 1983's "Heart Like a Wheel", the tale of drag racing legend Shirley Muldowney. Played by actress Bonnie Bedelia, Muldowney's a female drag racer who finds herself belittled and berated by sexist drivers, all of whom deem the racetrack to be "no place for women". Muldowney stands her ground, of course, and kicks down doors of discrimination in her own little way.
Fittingly, "Heart Like a Wheel" opens with a father informing his daughter that he wishes for her to be "self-reliant and not dependent on men". The rest of the film finds Muldowney locked in various power struggles, both within her marriage and with others racers, one of whom is infectiously played by actor Beau Bridges. As is typical of such films, most men in the picture are portrayed as philanders, drunks, jealous types or irrational hot-heads. Ironically, racing movies prior to the eighties (see 1969's "Winning" in particular) had begun to critique macho obsessions with winning, possessions and dominance. By the time "Heart Like a Wheel" came around, the on-screen male driver had already been neutered. He would be rehabilitated come the late 1980s, an insecure backlash against a perceived loss of male privilege. Muldowney, incidentally, was the first woman to receive a license from the National Hot Rod Association, and would be dubbed The First Lady of drag racing.
7.5/10 – Worth one viewing. See "Downhill Racer".