
Great Balls of Fire!
1989, Biography/Drama, 1h 48m
24 Reviews 25,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Great Balls of Fire romanticizes the more disturbing elements of Jerry Lee Lewis' controversial life story, but Dennis Quaid's crackerjack performance and a soundtrack stuffed with classic songs gives this flawed biopic some smolder. Read critic reviews
You might also like
Where to watch
Great Balls of Fire! Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Jerry Lee Lewis
Myra Gale Brown

J.W. Brown
Jud Phillips
Sam Phillips
Jimmy Swaggart
Critic Reviews for Great Balls of Fire!
All Critics (24) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (15) | Rotten (9)
-
Ryder and Quaid seem to be in two different movies, but Baldwin is brilliant.
June 26, 2003 | Rating: 3/5 -
Great Balls of Fire gives us a Jerry Lee Lewis who has been sanitized, popularized and lobotomized. Even then, the story ends in 1959 - before most of the events for which "The Killer" became notorious.
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review… -
Quote not available.
June 30, 1989 | Rating: 1/4 -
Fire is a fascinating, often terribly compelling failure. Much like Lewis's life, I suppose.
August 26, 2009 | Rating: C | Full Review… -
Underrated Dennis Quad performance as rocker Jerry Lee Lewis.
March 19, 2009 | Rating: 4/5 -
Quote not available.
November 18, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Audience Reviews for Great Balls of Fire!
-
Oct 13, 2010Dennis Quaid plays the legendary Jerry Lee Lewis who scandalized the world when he married his 13-year-old cousin Myra (Winona Ryder) and news of his marriage leaked out. The movie is based on how his life (and his wife's life) changed when his music was banned from most radio stations and he was hardly allowed to perform on Television, simply because of the marriage. Energetic performance from Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis makes the movie worth while watching. Alec Baldwin also turns in a good performance as Jerry Lee's cousin, preacher Jimmy Swaggart and young Wynonna Ryder give a convincing performance as his child-bride Myra.Deb S Super Reviewer
-
Sep 06, 2010I loved this biography movie, and I don't usually like biopics that much. The actors are fantastic, and it's full of all the great songs from Lewis. I highly recommend this movie to both fans of the actors and Jerry Lee Lewis.Aj V Super Reviewer
-
Sep 09, 2009The one star is olny for the music real "great balls on fire" and forWinona RyderArianeta L Super Reviewer
-
Jul 06, 2009OK, but unlike biopics where the actor "tranforms" into the character (Coal Miner's Daughter, Ray), Dennis Quaid didn't BEGIN to convince me that he the "Killer" Jerry Lee Lewis. Yeah, he had the moves and the energy, but the passion for the music was fake. Quaid didn't 'feel" it like Jerry Lee. Oh and his central Lousiana accent sucked balls. And Quaid is from right down the road in Texas. He should know better.Cindy I Super Reviewer
Great Balls of Fire Quotes
Jerry Lee Lewis: | "If I'm going to hell, I'm going there playin the piano." |
Jerry Lee Lewis: | If I'm going to hell, I'm going there playin the piano. |
Movie & TV guides
About Tomatometer
The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review
About Audience Score
The percentage of users who rated this 3.5 stars or higher.
Verified