Blyss's Review For:

Main Cast of Characters

Dennis Quaid.............Jerry Lee Lewis

Winona Ryder........Myra Gale Lewis

John Doe.......J.W. Brown

Stephen Tobolowsky..........Jud Phllips

Trey Wilson........Sam Phillips

Alec Baldwin.........Jimmy Swaggert

Steve Allen........Himself

Lisa Blount........Lois Brown

Joshua Sheffield......Rusty Brown

Rhino Michaels........Johnny Tatro

1989. Rated PG-13. Genre: Comedy, Drama; 108 minutes

"Diary of a life? Scary to think"

In 1944, Jerry Lee Lewis and his cousin, Jimmy Swaggert were just children. They used to sneak to the "Chocolate Border" as they called it and listen to the music and watch the people dancing. Jimmy thought it was the devil's music and ran away but Jerry stayed and listened. Fast forward to 1956 and we see a grown Jerry. He and his cousin J.W. form a band and make a demo for Sam Phillips of SUn Records. He is out of town but they don't think he will do well because he is a piano player and Elvis, a guitar player, is the hottest thing going. He hears it on the radio and that is the beginning of his career. He records a controversial song, "Whole Lotta Shakin" and gains even more popularity. The kids love it and the parents hate it. The record company execs think he could get in trouble easily with a woman and asks J.W. and his family to house Jerry permanently with them. Jerry then "falls in love" with his 13 year old cousin and he takes her to the Justice of the Peace in Mississippi where they are married.

We all know how this story ends if we know anything about rock history. My first question when I watch this movie is: "What was this man thinking? Was he stupid?" Why would a man his age want a 13 year old girl? I guess his mentality was on her level. Especially about the "pink house with the blue door". That was lame.

I had two absolutely favorite parts of the movie. One was when a girl jumps in the car with Jerry after one of the performances. He takes her back to his place and sleeps with her. Then she clips a lock of his hair. When he looks in the mirror afterwards...that is just hilarious! Also I enjoyed the part where Jerry and Myra are leaving England after their relationship is brought to light and they are forced out of the country. I loved his final words even though it wasn't England's fault he felt that way. It was his own fault for marrying Myra.

It was a great comedy and Dennis Quaid looks a lot better than the real person. I enjoyed it even more when I was a teenager but even less now that I am grown. I have to wonder how true all of this is and why no one put a stop to some of the things he was doing if it was true. For that, I have to give the movie this rating:

I rate this movie: 7

Blyss