Desert Hearts

Name: Desert Hearts
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: March 7, 1986
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Helen Shaver, Patricia Charbonneau

1986

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Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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Desert Hearts

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Movie Details & Credits

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The | Release Date: March 7, 1986 | R

Starring: Helen Shaver, Patricia Charbonneau

Summary: It is 1950s Nevada, and Professor Vivian Bell arrives to get a divorce. She's unsatisfied with her marriage, and feels out of place at the ranch she stays on, she finds herself increasingly drawn to Cay Rivers, an open and self-assured lesbian, and the ranchowner's daughter. The emotions released by their developing intimacy, andIt is 1950s Nevada, and Professor Vivian Bell arrives to get a divorce. She's unsatisfied with her marriage, and feels out of place at the ranch she stays on, she finds herself increasingly drawn to Cay Rivers, an open and self-assured lesbian, and the ranchowner's daughter. The emotions released by their developing intimacy, and Vivian's insecurities about her feelings towards Cay, are played out against a backdrop of rocky landscapes and country and western songs.… Expand

Director: Donna Deitch

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 96 min

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Critic Reviews

Gene Siskel

The story is not sensationalistic, although its love scene could not be more emotional. It`s a gentle story of someone being brought in from the cold. Read full review

Clayton Dillard

It advocates risk and consciousness as the only means to overcome the cold, repressive hand of so-called normative thought. Read full review

Paul Attanasio

This is an astonishingly polished and nuanced first film. It deserves to be celebrated, not quibbled with. Read full review

Rita Kempley

Given the low budget, there was no money for transitions or fancy wideshots, so the look is strangled, stranded and somehow like stagework. All the same, if you are a woman who loves women, you will no doubt love Desert Hearts. But it doesn't seem a good bet to cross over. [18 Apr 1986, p.27]

Roger Ebert

I might have enjoyed Desert Hearts more if it had been more subtle and observant about the two women. It might have been a better movie if it had been about discovery instead of seduction. Read full review

Vincent Canby

Desert Hearts has no voice or style of its own. It's as flat as a recorded message from the telephone company. Read full review

David Sterritt

The movie seems sincere in wanting to explore rather than exploit its subject, but any potential insights are cut off by too-obvious characterizations and plot twists. [04 Apr 1986, p.23]

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