IMDb > Desert Hearts (1985)
Desert Hearts
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Desert Hearts (1985) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
Desert Hearts (1985) -- A woman leaves behind her life in New York to find herself in Reno in this trailer

Overview

User Rating:
6.7/10   1,389 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Donna Deitch
Writers:
Jane Rule (novel)
Natalie Cooper (writer)
Contact:
View company contact information for Desert Hearts on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 March 1986 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Romance more
Plot:
It is 1950s Nevada, and Professor Vivian Bell arrives to get a divorce. She's unsatisfied with her marriage... more | add synopsis
Awards:
3 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Ask AfterEllen.com (Jan. 13, 2009)
 (From AfterEllen.com. 12 January 2009, 10:13 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Vasty underrated more (36 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
96 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Filming Locations:
Reno, Nevada, USA

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Patricia Charbonneau filmed the entire movie while pregnant. more
Quotes:
Vivian: [of her marriage] It drowned in still waters. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in It's in the Water (1997) more
Soundtrack:
BLUE MOON more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
14 out of 15 people found the following comment useful.
Vasty underrated, 28 December 2001
9/10
Author: seathrough8 from Seattle, WA

Reading some of the other comments, and the reviews at the time it came out, I suppose my feeling about this movie must be extremely idiosyncratic. Yet, all the people I rope in to watching this film seem to agree with me - so this is to give a counterpoint to the tepid (at best) comments I've read so far.

This is a beautifully photographed film, from beginning to end. It perfectly captures the ambiance and look of the Reno area in 1959 (I know because I was there); not just in appearance, but in the characters as well. Period music is expertly used throughout the film, with the final choice of Ella Fitzgerald's "I Wished on the Moon" a haunting and perfect end. I can't help but think that because this film was one of the first to spend several uncompromising minutes devoted to lesbian lovemaking that people tended to focus almost exclusively on that scene - and make pronouncements based on their own comfort levels with how it was filmed. This scene is really quite beautiful, but it could be left out and the sex only hinted at without harming the flow of the film. The two main characters are well-thought-out and fully realized; both fine performances (Helen Shaver is near perfect). All of the supporting characters are interesting and perfectly believable. The intelligent, witty script gives deep insight into the characters with minimal time spent. The humor is subtle but satisfying. Two examples: 1) when "the professor" comes out of her room after brooding for several days she is asked by another guest what she has been doing in there - the eccentric, grizzled ranch manager (Audra Lindley - who looks like she has been burned into the Nevada landscape)answers like a schoolmarm, "whatever it is, it's too deep for us to understand" 2) while horseback riding in the desert a Marilyn wannabe in blue jeans gets off her horse and says "my girdle is killing me!" For me this is a near perfect film. The only thing close to a criticism I can muster is the Kay character seems a bit too contemporary (but his is a very minor point and the role is well played). Unlike the other commentors, I think the characters are fascinating, each scene stands on its own as a perfect little vignette, and not only did I find the film enjoyable when it first came out, I have watched it at least 18 times since and it always holds up beautifully. Watch this movie with an open mind, void of preconceptions and value judgements, and see if you aren't enchanted (or at least entertained).

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (36 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Desert Hearts (1985)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Frances maclasch
IN MY TOP 10----SO GOOD!!!! netflowers
Need to find 'Angel on my Shoulder' URGENT dinkledeimer
New 2-Disc Collector's Edition DVD--June 5 CoreyPR
Dvd Signing with the Actors and Director oxygenearl
DVD shorter by 5 minutes harchiongkai
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Heavenly Creatures The Unbearable Lightness of Being Feast of Love But I'm a Cheerleader Play Time
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.