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Great Balls of Fire!

  • 1989
  • PG-13
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
19K
YOUR RATING
Great Balls of Fire! (1989)
text os
Play trailer1:08
1 Video
57 Photos
BiographyDramaMusic

The life and career of wildly controversial rock 'n' roll star Jerry Lee Lewis.The life and career of wildly controversial rock 'n' roll star Jerry Lee Lewis.The life and career of wildly controversial rock 'n' roll star Jerry Lee Lewis.

  • Director
    • Jim McBride
  • Writers
    • Myra Lewis
    • Murray Silver Jr.
    • Jack Baran
  • Stars
    • Dennis Quaid
    • Winona Ryder
    • John Doe
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    19K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jim McBride
    • Writers
      • Myra Lewis
      • Murray Silver Jr.
      • Jack Baran
    • Stars
      • Dennis Quaid
      • Winona Ryder
      • John Doe
    • 87User reviews
    • 35Critic reviews
    • 49Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Great Balls of Fire
    Trailer 1:08
    Great Balls of Fire

    Photos57

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    Top cast68

    Edit
    Dennis Quaid
    Dennis Quaid
    • Jerry Lee Lewis
    Winona Ryder
    Winona Ryder
    • Myra Gale Brown
    John Doe
    John Doe
    • J.W. Brown
    Stephen Tobolowsky
    Stephen Tobolowsky
    • Jud Phillips
    Trey Wilson
    Trey Wilson
    • Sam Phillips
    Alec Baldwin
    Alec Baldwin
    • Jimmy Swaggart
    Steve Allen
    Steve Allen
    • Steve Allen
    Lisa Blount
    Lisa Blount
    • Lois Brown
    Joshua Sheffield
    • Rusty Brown
    Mojo Nixon
    Mojo Nixon
    • James Van Eaton
    Jimmie Vaughan
    Jimmie Vaughan
    • Roland Janes
    David Ferguson
    • Jack Clement
    Robert Lesser
    Robert Lesser
    • Alan Freed
    Lisa Jane Persky
    Lisa Jane Persky
    • Babe
    Paula Person
    • Sam's Secretary
    Valerie Wellington
    • Big Maybelle
    Booker T. Laury
    • Piano Slim
    Michael St. Gerard
    Michael St. Gerard
    • Elvis
    • Director
      • Jim McBride
    • Writers
      • Myra Lewis
      • Murray Silver Jr.
      • Jack Baran
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews87

    6.319.4K
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    Featured reviews

    pbhowmick

    Great music, good movie

    I am usually too lazy to put in my review comments. But when I read some of the negative comments about this movie, I ad to make a stand. I came across this movie accidentally and I'm glad I did. I think it is one of the unsung great films on music and musicians. Based on the true life of Jerry Lee Lewis, the somewhat eccentric rock and roll genius from the 50s this movie has got soul. Most of the movies about artists end up portraying them as somewhat crazy, egomaniacs, always on the edge of a break down. But this movie has a very warm and light hearted take on Jerry's life. Throughout his ups and down his character comes out as a likable one whom you want to fall in love with. There's not a moment in the film where you would feel sad or annoyed by Jerry. And for this the kudos go to both Dennis Quaid and the director. For the reviewers who have labeled Dennis's portrayal as over the top, you guys don't have a clue who and what Jerry was. Dennis has nailed the spirited and buoyant soul that Jerry Lee Lewis was. I think the people who didn't like this film wanted to see a more serious and toned down film. But this is a film about rock and roll, and there's no better way to make it then it has been donw here. I give it a 9 out of 10. Go watch this immensely entertaining film!
    huluhae

    Great movie

    Great Balls of Fire! is beyond a doubt one of the best movies I have ever seen. It's entertaining, funny, and gives an up close and personal look at the greatest rock star of the 50s. No, not Elvis, I'm talking about Jerry Lee Lewis! Before the movie I had never even heard of him, now he is one of my all-time favorite performers. Trust me, I was 9 years old when this movie came out, and if a movie is so good a 9 year old will pipe-down and watch, then you know its a excellent movie. So do yourself a favor and rent or buy this fantastic movie.

    ciao bella!
    teenwolf97

    Like the Killer,this movie left me Breathless!!!!!!

    This movie defines what Jerry Lee Lewis is all about:An enigma in all sense of the word. Dennis Quaid gives his finest performance,in this reviewer's humble opinion,as the Killer himself. The hair,the clothes,the accent are strike an uncanny resemblance. Winnona Ryder is absolutely marvelous as Myra. This movie depicts Lewis's life from his first hit,"Crazy Arms",to the scandal that almost shot his career down the toliet quicker than Elvis could eat a cheeseburger. What really makes this movie go is the soundtrack,including new performances by the Killer. It has humor,tons of drama,and some really revealing glimpses into the man,the myth,the legend that is Jerry Lee Lewis. I give this movie a 9 out of 10. It is with great sadness that I report that this movie is out of print and I pray to God that it will be re-released at the time of this writing. Get it if you can, because,WOOOOOOOOOOO,this movie's got the bull by the horns!!!!!!!
    Riverfruit

    I completely disagree, I really loved this movie..

    Personally I disagree with the other user's comments as I saw this movie on TV a while ago and really enjoyed it. What makes it so interesting is the fact that someone would actually go ahead and marry their cousin who was only 13 years old.

    This movie is pretty accurate and the acting and music is great.

    Dennis Quaid's portrayal of the Killer is definitely one to watch.

    His accent and facial expressions are priceless and Winona Ryder's Myra is sweet and believable. This movie offers a great insight into the personal life, music and career of J.L.L. A really enjoyable film I would highly recommend :-D
    6katykw-2

    Dennis Quaid's low point

    This is quite possibly the worst performance of Dennis Quaid's career. The rubber-faced mugging he does neither looks like Jerry Lee nor does the phony "voice" he uses during this performance. His lip-syncing is always just a half-beat behind the music. Although Dennis had the wavy hair like The Killer, it wasn't long enough in the back to look like Jerry. His acting was a farce when he'd throw back his head in an apparent attempt to look arrogant. He failed. Alec Baldwin is also not very believable as Jimmy Swaggart (I actually knew the man in my youth). The storyline was okay but it could not overcome Quaid's awful acting. Especially at the airport when they are leaving England and he tells England to kiss his ass. Dennis, why did you sink so low?

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jerry Lee Lewis re-recorded his songs for this film, which Dennis Quaid lip-syncs. At first, Quaid wanted to record his version of the songs over Lewis' objections, and did. Lewis was surprised at how good he was, and at one point it was proposed that Lewis do half the songs and Quaid half. When Quaid heard the new re-recordings done by Lewis, he changed his mind, and agreed that all the songs should be done by Lewis.
    • Goofs
      The song "Great Balls of Fire" is shown climbing the Billboard charts to number one. The song only made it to number two.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Jerry Lee Lewis: Well, if I'm going to hell, I'm going there playing the piano!

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Lethal Weapon 2/The Karate Kid Part III/Great Balls of Fire/Weekend at Bernie's/A Taxing Woman Returns (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Teddy Bear
      Written by Kal Mann, Bernie Lowe

      Performed by Elvis Presley

      Courtesy of RCA Records

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    FAQ20

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 30, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • ¡Bolas de fuego!
    • Filming locations
      • Marion, Arkansas, USA
    • Production company
      • Orion Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $16,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $13,741,060
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,807,986
      • Jul 2, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $13,741,060
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 48m(108 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby SR
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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