"Great Balls of Fire" borrows the title of his biggest hit song, for this biopic of rock 'n roll star, Jerry Lee Lewis. Lewis was still alive and very active in giving live performances when this movie was made. He died on October 28, 2022, at age 87. The film is based on a biography of Lewis and shows his early years, from his start to stardom until his marriage to 13-year-old cousin, Myra Brown. It notes the family disdain over Lewis's style of music and lifestyle. Besides his abnormal attraction to and affection for very young teenage girls, Lewis couldn't handle his quick fame and his reckless lifestyle led to problems with alcohol, and then depression
The cast are all very good. I'm one of those who was surprised by Dennis Quaid in the lead role, but I think he played the character very well. This isn't a happy or feel good film, by any means, and it won't appeal to many people. Without some parental discussion, it's not a film that even teens should watch. But it is a picture of the life of a very talented man whose habits, drives, and inability to moderate himself, leads to an unhappy, distasteful, and depressing life. Lewis married very young girls, and divorced five times. He and his lifestyle were controversial. While he had many hit tunes, and after the considerable flap over marrying his cousin died down, Lewis did have a comeback. While he had some big hit tunes, and most sources talk about his popularity, I think it's worth noting that Lewis didn't enjoy the almost unanimous popularity that Elvis Presley had, and some other rock stars of the era. Quite a few fellow teens I knew didn't care for his music or manners. The honkey-talk and pounding piano back to his singing wasn't universally savored by the rock fans of the time.
Lewis set himself apart in the world of rock by pounding out his music on the piano He also pounced on the piano for showmanship. And he certainly was one of the earliest - perhaps a "pioneer" if one can call something negative pioneering. That was in displays of violence with music on stage. In March of 1958, Lewis poured gasoline on his piano and lit it afire to close a show. Before long, other rock stars would start smashing and breaking things on stage, especially their instruments. In September of 1964, Pete Townsend of Britain's "The Who" became the first of many guitar-smashing performers.
The cast are all very good. I'm one of those who was surprised by Dennis Quaid in the lead role, but I think he played the character very well. This isn't a happy or feel good film, by any means, and it won't appeal to many people. Without some parental discussion, it's not a film that even teens should watch. But it is a picture of the life of a very talented man whose habits, drives, and inability to moderate himself, leads to an unhappy, distasteful, and depressing life. Lewis married very young girls, and divorced five times. He and his lifestyle were controversial. While he had many hit tunes, and after the considerable flap over marrying his cousin died down, Lewis did have a comeback. While he had some big hit tunes, and most sources talk about his popularity, I think it's worth noting that Lewis didn't enjoy the almost unanimous popularity that Elvis Presley had, and some other rock stars of the era. Quite a few fellow teens I knew didn't care for his music or manners. The honkey-talk and pounding piano back to his singing wasn't universally savored by the rock fans of the time.
Lewis set himself apart in the world of rock by pounding out his music on the piano He also pounced on the piano for showmanship. And he certainly was one of the earliest - perhaps a "pioneer" if one can call something negative pioneering. That was in displays of violence with music on stage. In March of 1958, Lewis poured gasoline on his piano and lit it afire to close a show. Before long, other rock stars would start smashing and breaking things on stage, especially their instruments. In September of 1964, Pete Townsend of Britain's "The Who" became the first of many guitar-smashing performers.