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Desert Hearts

"In 1959, Vivian Bell came to Reno, Nevada for a quick divorce. Of all the people she met there, the one who surprised her the most was herself."

1985-10-01 Drama 1hr 31m

While waiting for her divorce papers, a repressed literature professor finds herself unexpectedly attracted by a carefree, spirited young woman named Cay.

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Storyline

While waiting for her divorce papers, a repressed literature professor finds herself unexpectedly attracted by a carefree, spirited young woman named Cay.

  • Released
    1985-10-01
  • Revenue
    $2,400,000
  • Budget
    $350,000
  • Runtime
    1hr 31m
  • Genre
    Drama, Romance
  • Status
    Released
  • Language
    English
  • imdb-logo
    7.1
  • Production
    Desert Hearts Productions, The Samuel Goldwyn Company

Crew

Donna Deitch
Director
Natalie Cooper
Writer
Donna Deitch
Producer
Keywords:
farm coming out casino based on novel or book nevada reno, nevada lesbian relationship divorce desert lgbt woman director 1950s english professor lesbian

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Cast

Helen Shaver

Helen Shaver
Vivian Bell
Patricia Charbonneau

Patricia Charbonneau
Cay Rivvers
Audra Lindley

Audra Lindley
Frances Parker
Andra Akers

Andra Akers
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Dean Butler

Dean Butler
Darrell
Gwen Welles

Gwen Welles
Gwen
James Staley

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Art Warner
Katie La Bourdette

Katie La Bourdette
Lucille
Alex McArthur

Alex McArthur
Walter
Tyler Tyhurst

Tyler Tyhurst
Buck
Denise Crosby

Denise Crosby
Pat
Antony Ponzini

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Joe
Jeffrey Tambor

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Videos and Photos

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Desert Hearts

Movie Reviews

Reviews for Desert Hearts
reviewer avatar

A Review by talisencrw 9

Written by talisencrw on 2016-07-28

Lately I felt I couldn't consider myself a self-respecting cinephile unless I at the very least sampled more works both by female directors ... read more

Lately I felt I couldn't consider myself a self-respecting cinephile unless I at the very least sampled more works both by female directors and from the gay/lesbian/related subgenre. Fortunately my university offered in its library collection an assortment I decided to peruse occasionally. Although Deitch's film is a romantic drama featuring lesbians, I still readily enjoyed it. Glad I took a chance on it and decided to expand my horizons as a adventurous film aficionado.

reviewer avatar

A Review by tmdb40011370 8

Written by tmdb40011370 on 2019-11-21

As a lesbian myself, I have to say I was extremely grateful when a friend recommended I watch this film some 12 odd years ago when I was a w... read more

As a lesbian myself, I have to say I was extremely grateful when a friend recommended I watch this film some 12 odd years ago when I was a willowy 14/15 year old realising that my private emotions were geared towards my own sex but I didn't want to tell the world just yet. I must admit to struggling to stay with this slow burner, probably due to my impatient teenage angst. But stay with it I did and I have to say it was well worth the journey! Yes, it had a relatively graphic but erotic lesbian love scene, but the film is more than that, not least for the great character study of the two protagonists, and a rather uplifting conclusion. I have seen many lesbian-love story films since then, not least "Below her Mouth" and "Blue is the Warmest Color" - both of them exceptionally well done. But for me, "Desert Hearts" still stands out as an emotive and well handled love story that will stay with me until my dying days.

Read Full Review (The thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely those of the reviewer.)
A Review by talisencrw

Lately I felt I couldn't consider myself a self-respecting cinephile unless I at the very least sampled more works both by female directors and from the gay/lesbian/related subgenre. Fortunately my university offered in its library collecti...

reviewer avatar

A Review by talisencrw 9

Written by talisencrw on 2016-07-28

Lately I felt I couldn't consider myself a self-respecting cinephile unless I at the very least sampled more works both by female directors and from the gay/lesbian/related subgenre. Fortunately my un...

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by tmdb40011370 8

Written by tmdb40011370 on 2019-11-21

As a lesbian myself, I have to say I was extremely grateful when a friend recommended I watch this film some 12 odd years ago when I was a willowy 14/15 year old realising that my private emotions wer...

read more