Desert Bloom (1986)

78% of critics liked it
(9 reviews)
52% of users liked it
(761 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

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Eugene Corr
Written By: Linda Remy, Eugene Corr
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Romance

On DVD: Mar 11, 2003
Studio: RCA Video

Critic Reviews

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.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Memorable little story carried by Jon Voight.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
a drama that stays with you; a good companion piece with "Blue Sky"
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.

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Cast

            Jon Voight as Jack Chismore

            JoBeth Williams as Lily Chismore

            Ellen Barkin as Aunt Starr

            Allen Garfield as Mr. Mosol

            Annabeth Gish as Rose Chismore

            Jay Underwood as Robin

            Desiree Joseph as Dee Ann Chismore

            Dusty Balcerzak as Barbara Jo Chismore

            Bob Gish as Superintendent

            Judith Gish as Spelling Bee Moderator

            Irene Goodnight as R.C. Volunteer

            William Lang as Colonel

            Tressi Loria as Shelly

            Jim McCarthy as Driver

            Laura Rasmussen as Meryl

            Ann Risley as Mrs. Muratore

            Rick Scheiffer as Mr. Brandal

            Mark Jenkins as AEC Officer

            Sherry Allen as Spelling Bee Contestant

            Todd Barish as Spelling Bee Contestant

            Doris Berman as Woman at Spelling Bee

            Tamara Cooley as Adult Party Goer

            Chris Corr as Delivery Boy

            Armen Dirtadian as Publicist

            Kysha Doty as Spelling Bee Contestant

            Patty Harbor as Adult Party Goer

            Ray LeFre as Adult Party Goer

            Steven Mastroieni as Nick

            Eugenia Moran as R.C. Nurse

            Al Petito as Radio Clerk

            Danica Remy as Nurse

            Jesse Sloan as Spelling Bee Contestant

            Fred C. Smith as Tour Guide

            Mike Stein as Adult Party Goer

            Reynaldo Villalobos Jr. as Boy Finalist

            Johnny L. Watkins as Cab Driver

            Bruce Wineinger as Texan

            Onna Young as Spelling Bee Contestant

            Molly Fontaine as Ava

            Randy Harris as Photographer
See full cast

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