Desert Bloom (1986)
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78% of critics liked it
(9 reviews) -
18% want to see it
(685 ratings)
Set in 1950, this is a convincing, well-acted drama about a young girl's growing up in Las Vegas amidst poverty and a turbulent home life. The 13-year-old Rose (Annabeth Gish) lives with her mother (JoBeth Williams), stepfather (Jon Voight), and two sisters in a working-class home. Trouble is… More Set in 1950, this is a convincing, well-acted drama about a young girl's growing up in Las Vegas amidst poverty and a turbulent home life. The 13-year-old Rose (Annabeth Gish) lives with her mother (JoBeth Williams), stepfather (Jon Voight), and two sisters in a working-class home. Trouble is brewing on several fronts: her stepfather is his usual abusive self but is dipping into the bottle more frequently, her glitzy Aunt Starr (Ellen Barkin) arrives for a six-week stay and causes an upheaval in the marriage, and an above-ground nuclear bomb is about to be exploded at the government test site (only 65 miles away). If Rose can survive all this with her health, her sanity, and her clear intelligence intact, it will not be due to her supportive environment. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Directed By
- Eugene Corr
- Written By
- Linda Remy, Eugene Corr
- Genres
- Drama, Kids & Family, Romance
PG,
- Studio
- RCA Video
Critic Reviews
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This sensitive coming-of-age tale is framed by the narration of its grown-up protagonist, recalling her childhood in the 1950s, an era defined by the A-Bomb and the culture it created.
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Memorable little story carried by Jon Voight.
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James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
a drama that stays with you; a good companion piece with "Blue Sky"
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Manages to make clear that certain children possess the resiliency to handle the stress and pain of a troubled home.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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Jon Voight
as Jack Chismore
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JoBeth Williams
as Lily Chismore
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Ellen Barkin
as Aunt Starr
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Allen Garfield
as Mr. Mosol
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Annabeth Gish
as Rose Chismore
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Jay Underwood
as Robin
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Desiree Joseph
as Dee Ann Chismore
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Dusty Balcerzak
as Barbara Jo Chismore
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Bob Gish
as Superintendent
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Judith Gish
as Spelling Bee Moderator
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Irene Goodnight
as R.C. Volunteer
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William Lang
as Colonel
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Tressi Loria
as Shelly
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Jim McCarthy
as Driver
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Laura Rasmussen
as Meryl
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Ann Risley
as Mrs. Muratore
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Rick Scheiffer
as Mr. Brandal
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Mark Jenkins
as AEC Officer
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Sherry Allen
as Spelling Bee Contestant
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Todd Barish
as Spelling Bee Contestant
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Doris Berman
as Woman at Spelling Bee
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Tamara Cooley
as Adult Party Goer
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Chris Corr
as Delivery Boy
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Armen Dirtadian
as Publicist
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Kysha Doty
as Spelling Bee Contestant
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Patty Harbor
as Adult Party Goer
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Ray LeFre
as Adult Party Goer
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Steven Mastroieni
as Nick
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Eugenia Moran
as R.C. Nurse
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Al Petito
as Radio Clerk
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Danica Remy
as Nurse
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Jesse Sloan
as Spelling Bee Contestant
-
Fred C. Smith
as Tour Guide
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Mike Stein
as Adult Party Goer
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Reynaldo Villalobos Jr.
as Boy Finalist
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Johnny L. Watkins
as Cab Driver
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Bruce Wineinger
as Texan
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Onna Young
as Spelling Bee Contestant
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Molly Fontaine
as Ava
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Randy Harris
as Photographer
