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
Sheila Balter	...	Roadside Waitress
Tom Martin	...	Red Cap
Joan Mankin	...	Casino Waitress
Frank Murtha	...	Minister
Dave Roberts	...	Lon
Bob Blankman	...	Croupier
Ron Fisher	...	Drunk Gambler
Gene Skaug	...	Announcer
Donna Deitch	...	Hungarian Gambler
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jeffrey Tambor	...	Jerry (uncredited)

Directed by
Donna Deitch

Writing credits
Jane Rule		(novel "Desert of the Heart")
Natalie Cooper		(writer)

Produced by
Donna Deitch	....	producer
Carol Jefferies	....	associate producer
Cami Taylor	....	co-producer

Cinematography by
Robert Elswit

Film Editing by
Robert Estrin

Casting by
Tim Flack

Production Design by
Jeannine Claudia Oppewall		(as Jeannine Oppewall)

Art Direction by
David Brisbin

Set Decoration by
Rosemary Brandenburg

Costume Design by
Linda M. Bass		(as Linda Bass)

Makeup Department
Richard Arrington	....	makeup artist
Don Marando	....	hair stylist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Whitney R. Hunter	....	second assistant director (as Whitney Hunter)
George W. Perkins	....	first assistant director (as George Perkins)

Art Department
Lisa De Alva	....	assistant property master
Trish Gallaher Glenn	....	property master (as Trisha B. Gallaher)

Sound Department
Beth Bergeron	....	sound effects
John Brasher	....	sound mixer
Roberta Doheny	....	sound effects
Roberta Doheny	....	sound mixer
Alia Kahn	....	sound effects
Austin McKinney	....	production sound mixer
Lars Nelson	....	sound effects
Jack M. Nietzsche Jr.	....	boom operator

Stunts
Fred Culbertson	....	stunt driver

Camera and Electrical Department
Curtis Bradford	....	best boy grip
Stephen Crawford	....	best boy electric
Martin J. Layton	....	first assistant camera
David Lear	....	still photographer
Mitch Marcus	....	second assistant camera
Jane O'Neal	....	still photographer
Kirk A. Peterson	....	grip
Steve Smith	....	key grip
John Zumpano	....	gaffer

Casting Department
Sally Lear	....	extras casting: Reno
Jeff Oshen	....	casting associate

Editorial Department
Sandra Adair	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Robert Estrin	....	music consultant
Terri Fricon	....	music supervisor
Gay Jones	....	music supervisor

Transportation Department
Fred Culbertson	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
Benita Brazier	....	script supervisor
Shirley Dale	....	location coordinator
Michael 'Doc' Dill	....	location manager
Louise Kollenbaum	....	title designer
Coni Lancaster	....	production associate
Geralyn Miller	....	production coordinator
Vince Onken	....	craft service

Production Companies

• Desert Hearts Productions
• Samuel Goldwyn Company, The

Distributors

• Samuel Goldwyn Company, The (1985) (USA) (theatrical)
• Astro Distribution (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
• PRO-FUN media Filmverleih (2008) (Germany) (DVD)
• Vestron Video (1987) (UK) (VHS)
• Wolfe Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Fricon Entertainment  music supervision
• Hollywood Studio Vehicles  transportation coordination
• J's Fine Art Inc.  sound effects
• Pacific Title  titles and opticals
• System One  payroll services

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:

Referenced in It's in the Water (1997)

Soundtrack:

I WISHED ON THE MOON

Desert Hearts

This movie, Desert hearts, is a love story of hurting hearts and hope growing. It shows both sides of the picture, the love and friendship of others accepting of a person no matter what and the typical hatred for someone being different. There is no violence whatsoever, which is refreshing. And there are no mind games played which is typical in a great deal of alternative lifestyle stories. It shows honest struggle with feelings that have never been known before. The characters selected for their roles were perfect, everyone seems quite natural and real with each other. It appears that Helen Shaver seems quite rigid in her role, but she truly portrays the clash of her proper orderly world to the new sunrise in her life. Just a slow (like a slow dance) but beautiful telling of a tale of two very different women meeting as it makes you want them to allow their hearts to feel the joy. Quiet rooting for them is allowed in this movie!