Desert Hearts (1998)
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83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
71% of users liked it
(3,266 ratings)
Director Donna Deitch makes a strong impression in her first feature film, a simple story of a lesbian love affair, based on Jane Rule's 1964 novel Desert of the Heart. Helen Shaver stars as Vivian Bell, an uptight 35-year-old Columbia University professor who travels to Reno to get a divorce.… More Director Donna Deitch makes a strong impression in her first feature film, a simple story of a lesbian love affair, based on Jane Rule's 1964 novel Desert of the Heart. Helen Shaver stars as Vivian Bell, an uptight 35-year-old Columbia University professor who travels to Reno to get a divorce. She arrives in Reno on her way to Frances Parker's (Audra Lindley) ranch, where she is staying to establish six weeks of residency in order to obtain the divorce. Once at the ranch, Vivian catches the fancy of Frances's adopted daughter Cay (Patricia Charbonneau), a casino worker ten years younger than herself. Vivien tries to remain unruffled as Cay makes unabashed overtures to her. Cay thinks that all Vivian needs is the love of another woman, and soon enough the two are in each other's arms. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- Donna Deitch, Robert Louis Stevenson
- Written By
- Jane Rule, Natalie Cooper
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Gay & Lesbian
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1998 Wide
- Studio
- MGM Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune
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.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Wolfe's 2-disc DVD includes commentary from director Donna Deitch, never-before-seen footage of the famous lovemaking scene, and new interviews with actresses Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Despite many shortcomings--narrow focus, stiff dialogue, and lack of humor--it's worth seeing for historical reasons: this movie herladed a new wave of American gay and lesbian independent films.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A smooth and sensitive film that convincingly circles around the many different kinds of love and lets in light from several angles.
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Cast
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Helen Shaver
as Vivian Bell
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Patricia Charbonneau
as Cay Rivvers
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Audra Lindley
as Frances Parker
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Andra Akers
as Silver
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Gwen Welles
as Gwen
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Dean Butler
as Darell
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Katie La Bourdette
as Lucille
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James Staley
as Art Warner
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Jeffrey Tambor
as Jerry
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Denise Crosby
as Pat
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Alex McArthur
as Walter
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Antony Ponzini
as Joe Lorenzo
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Tyler Tyhurst
as Buck
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Donna Deitch
as Hungarian Gambler
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Tom Martin
as Red Cop
- Roddy Mc Dowall
- Dan O'Herlihy
