Desert Hearts (1985)

Did you people see the same film I saw?

Crappy film

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

While awaiting her divorce on a dude ranch outside Reno, a stiff and humorless New York City professor learns to appreciate life from the usual assortment of Silver State oddballs, finally letting her hair down for a young, uninhibited employee of one of the local casinos. It might have been just another routine romantic comedy but for the fact that the two lovers are both women, and the novelty value alone is enough to lift the film out of the ordinary. There's enough charm and offhand humor to match any mainstream, hetero romance, but make no mistake: this movie doesn't regard its lesbianism lightly, and there's an explicit bedroom interlude to prove it. The scene stops the film dead in its tracks, but director Donna Deitch (making her feature debut) has to be commended for approaching the subject with such candor and optimism (some of it a bit forced, to be sure), leaning only slightly on the awkward self-awareness usually found in a Hollywood coming-out story.

probably one of the most famous and pioneering lesbian love stories put on screen that was a fine example for shows such as the l word that would follow some twenty years later. based on the novel of the same name by Canadian author Jane rule, Donna deitch saw enormous potential for this love story that dare not speak its name to be brought to the big screen. from what i know, i believe that Donna deitch, the director put her house up to help pay for the financing of the film. finding two actors willing to take on the roles of Vivian cay was going to prove difficult as it was considered a career killer to play gay roles. fortunately Donna found two who were willing to do just that. Helen shaver and Patricia charbonneau were cast in their now synonymous roles. i appreciated the fact that the characters relationship was slowly built over a period of time and that the romance was not rushed or forced. one gets to really care about Vivian and cay as the story progresses and their feelings for one another are realized and come to full circle by the end of the movie. Vivian is the picture of the ever prim and proper and tightly wound English professor whose burgeoning passions and sexuality aren't realized till cay's arrival. Vivian is so afraid of being vulnerable and letting people into her world. i thought the love scenes were choreographed beautifully without being overly explicit or graphic for the audience. i thought their first kiss was incredibly sexy...the two of them getting caught in the rain and cay telling Vivian to roll down the window before kissing her seductively. Vivian at first resists but soon responds as they kiss passionately. the in-famous love scene is a slow build-up and you can feel the sexual tension in the air. Vivian, nervous and un-sure of what to do as she tries to brush off cay's advances and make her leave the hotel room. un-like most love scenes straight or gay, there is no annoying background music playing but only the sound of their breathing and reaction to the love-making. i had hoped there would be a sequel so one could see how the relationship developed after cay had gotten on that train with Vivian back to new york. there has been talk about a sequel from its director but nothing has been given the go ahead. i recently saw an interview with Helen and Patricia and they still look fabulous. they discussed the profound effect that the film has had on them personally and professionally. there hasn't been a lot of great lesbian movies after this one but it's nice to see that Hollywood has moved forward greatly with lesbians in cinema.

Solid lesbian-themed film from Jane Rule's book "Desert of the Heart" has an unusual ambiance and compelling desert locales. Set in Reno in the 1950s, Audra Lindley plays a salt-of-the-earth type who runs a ranch for women preparing their divorces. Prim and proper boarder Helen Shaver quickly becomes curious over sexy, smoky hellion Patricia Charbonneau, who enters the film driving in reverse down the wrong side of the road. A balky pace and several odd directorial touches detract, but the modestly-produced picture is frequently intriguing and absorbing. The love scenes are tasteful, while Charbonneau steals much of the acting thunder with a terrific performance. Not a landmark in gay cinema, but a step in the right direction. **1/2 from ****

I too loved this film. Growing up in Barstow in the early '60's and coming of age in the early '70's in San Francisco, I can relate to the footloose approaches, the freedom to experiment, and having things turn out okay! I also liked the textures of the film, capturing the feel of the desert, the realistic attitudes of the characters, the honesty of the rawness of the emotions. It is well shot and directed. I viewed it because I was fortunate to get to spend some time with one of the stars, Andra Akers, in '83, who was a terrific woman to be around. The lovemaking scenes are probably my favorite in all of film for their tenderness, vulnerability and realism (and I'm straight!). Highly recommended!