MovieChat Forums > Great Balls of Fire! (1989) Discussion > accuracy?

accuracy?

posted 18 years ago by KAnnD86
3 replies | jump to latest

After I watch a movie based on a true story, I like to find out how accurate it was. I'm wondering if Jerry Lee and Myra's relationship really happened the way it happened in the movie. They were kind of sweet together and kind of innocently fell in love and got married on a whim. Was it like that in real life? Something tells me it was more complicated.

Another thing I thought about while watching this movie was the hypocrisy of the whole situation. The church in their own hometown was labeling them sinners, but marrying a 13-year old at that time was legal. If it was so disgusting to the people in Louisiana (that's where it took place, right?), they why didn't they push to make it illegal for 13-year olds to marry? Apparently that was a normal/acceptable age back then. Nobody seemed to care until the press got a hold of the story.

I enjoyed watching this movie tonight. I barely even heard of Jerry Lee Lewis until now, so it was really interesting to learn about his life.

Tomorrow's just your future yesterday!

[–] RetroPop 18 years ago

If you read Myra Lewis' book Great Balls Of Fire, that the movie claimed to be based on, you will find that the movie is really nothing like what actually happened. I was appalled at how the movie changed events and facts so drastically. The movie seemed to be making light of what happened. In all seriousness these were two people that loved each other very much, and got married (on a whim) because they loved each other. Myra and Jerry Lee both were soo hurt by the way the movie depicted their relationship. I suggest not taking anything that was shown in that movie as fact, instead get Myra's book.

As for your other question, the people from Jerry's hometown really had no problem with it, except for Jerry's mother, but that another story. His cousin Jimmy Swaggert didn't even object to their marriage. To quote him he said "Myra was very mature for her age, and they loved each other very much."

[–] KAnnD86 18 years ago

Thanks for the info!

Tomorrow's just your future yesterday!

[–] RetroPop 18 years ago

You're welcome. If you have any other questions i'd be happy to try and answer them.