Desert Hearts (1985)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Donna Deitch

Writers:

Jane Rule (novel)
Natalie Cooper (writer)

Release Date:

7 March 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

It is 1950s Nevada, and Professor Vivian Bell arrives to get a divorce. She's unsatisfied with her marriage...

Plot Keywords:

Lesbian | Divorce | Nevada | Female Nudity | Gay Interest

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Helen Shaver	...	Vivian Bell
Patricia Charbonneau	...	Cay Rivvers
Audra Lindley	...	Frances Parker
Andra Akers	...	Silver
Dean Butler	...	Darrell
Gwen Welles	...	Gwen
James Staley	...	Art Warner
Katie La Bourdette	...	Lucille
Alex McArthur	...	Walter
Tyler Tyhurst	...	Buck
Denise Crosby	...	Pat
Antony Ponzini	...	Joe
Brenda Beck	...	Joyce
Sam Minsky	...	Best Man
Patricia Frazier	...	Change Girl

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Italy:VM14 | Canada:R (Ontario) | Australia:M | New Zealand:M | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Reno, Nevada, USA

Company:

Desert Hearts Productions

Trivia:

The $350,000 budget for the film was raised independently with limited partnerships.

Quotes:

Vivian: Ride with me to the next station.
Cay: What are we gonna get settled in 40 minutes?
Vivian: I'll talk fast.
Cay: Send me a postcard when you get there. What is it you want?
Vivian: Another 40 minutes with you.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006)

Soundtrack:

HONKY TONK MAN

An all time classic.

Classic is an overused term, but not in the case of this movie!. I first saw it in 1990 when I was 17 and it had a huge impact on me, I had never really enjoyed romances before with the possible exception of "Marty", but this movie with the 2 very attractive, intelligent, charming leads(Helen Shaver & Patricia Charbonneau), insightful script, subtle direction and gorgeous landscape shocked and moved me. I had never seen women express such profound sexual yearning for one another before, and even in this day of lesbian chiqe this is THE lesbian movie in my mind. I would like to see this movie given the credit it deserves, for starters I would like to see a deluxe DVD re-issue, complete with a documentry including interviews with the cast and crew, background notes about the novel it is based on "Desert of the heart" by Jane Rule, etc, etc. With the 20th anniversery approaching I think a campaign should be started to rescue this movie from "cult" status and put it where it belongs.