Desert Blue (1998)

37% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(1,311 ratings)

Morgan J. Freeman directed this comedy-drama that takes place in the desert town of Baxter Beach, California, where the locals, lookers, visitors and slackers include dreamer Blue (Brendan Sexton III), pipe-bomb babe Ely (Christina Ricci), all-terrain-vehicle champ Pete (Casey Affleck), nerdy Sandy… More Morgan J. Freeman directed this comedy-drama that takes place in the desert town of Baxter Beach, California, where the locals, lookers, visitors and slackers include dreamer Blue (Brendan Sexton III), pipe-bomb babe Ely (Christina Ricci), all-terrain-vehicle champ Pete (Casey Affleck), nerdy Sandy (Sara Gilbert), TV star Skye (Kate Hudson), and chubby Cale (Ethan Suplee). Blue's dad, who had hoped to bring water to the town, died mysteriously in a hotel fire, leaving an abandoned water slide, and Blue hopes to fulfill his father's dream by completing the water slide attraction. Actress Skye is just passing through with her father, a pop-culture prof. (John Heard), but they're forced to stay in town after a truck-spill leads to a quarantine and the presence of both an FBI agent (Michael Ironside) and an EPA agent (Aunjanue Ellis). Skye gets caught up in local fun and games (orange baseball, potato cannon salvos), while her dad reminisces about the '60s with UFO fanatic Caroline (Lucinda Jenney). Shown at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Morgan J. Freeman
Written By: Morgan J. Freeman
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 18, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Dec 28, 1999
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Strains itself in trying to be relentlessly offbeat.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...coast[s] along on the charisma of the actors...
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
This quirky and endearing film celebrates the ways in which people can bond together, share dreams, and change their lives in the midst of a crisis.
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine
Another reason to abolish the now-abhorrent [Sundance] festival altogether.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

A small town in the California desert and a young all star cast (with an appropriate alt/indie soundtrack supporting them) consider metaphysical stuff. Meant to be cooler than it actually is cool, everyone does manage to look mah-velous. Like the town though nobody's going… More
A small town in the California desert and a young all star cast (with an appropriate alt/indie soundtrack supporting them) consider metaphysical stuff. Meant to be cooler than it actually is cool, everyone does manage to look mah-velous. Like the town though nobody's going anywhere.
♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Casey Affleck, Brendan Sexton III, Kate Hudson, Christina Ricci, John Heard, Ethan Suplee, Sara Gilbert, Peter Sarsgaard, Lee Holmes, Michael Ironside Director: Morgan J. Freeman Summary: When the FBI quarantines a seemingly nondescript town that boasts a random roadside… More
Cast: Casey Affleck, Brendan Sexton III, Kate Hudson, Christina Ricci, John Heard, Ethan Suplee, Sara Gilbert, Peter Sarsgaard, Lee Holmes, Michael Ironside Director: Morgan J. Freeman Summary: When the FBI quarantines a seemingly nondescript town that boasts a random roadside attraction -- the world's largest ice cream cone -- visiting starlet Skye (Kate Hudson) and her father (John Heard) encounter an assemblage of memorable locals they won't soon forget. My Thoughts: "This is an offbeat movie with a great (then) young cast. Great quirky character's that some us small town grown kids can relate to. Not much to do in small towns, so you have to entertain yourselves somehow. Liked their choices of fun, it was entertaining to watch. Had some funny moments, and was never boring. But this is much more of a dark comedy. Had some deep stuff going on with Brenden Sexton III, character. It was nice to see him in a somewhat leading role. Definitely worth the rental."
Emily A

It's amazing how much cool stuff can come from a town as small as Baxter. This is a very small, character-driven movie, and I love the portrayal of the ways in which the town natives amuse themelves in the desolate desert. The casting was really good too, as was the script. Props… More
It's amazing how much cool stuff can come from a town as small as Baxter. This is a very small, character-driven movie, and I love the portrayal of the ways in which the town natives amuse themelves in the desolate desert. The casting was really good too, as was the script. Props to everyone involved.