Desert Hearts
In 1959, Vivian Bell came to Reno, Nevada for a quick divorce. Of all the people she met there, the one who surprised her the most was herself.
1985 | 91m | English
Popularity: 3 (history)
| Director: | Donna Deitch |
|---|---|
| Writer: | Jane Rule, Natalie Cooper |
| Staring: |
| While waiting for her divorce papers, a repressed literature professor finds herself unexpectedly attracted by a carefree, spirited young woman named Cay. | |
| Release Date: | Oct 01, 1985 |
|---|---|
| Director: | Donna Deitch |
| Writer: | Jane Rule, Natalie Cooper |
| Genres: | Drama, Romance |
| Keywords | casino, based on novel or book, nevada, coming out, farm, reno, nevada, lesbian relationship, divorce, desert, lgbt, woman director, 1950s, english professor, lesbian |
| Production Companies | The Samuel Goldwyn Company, Desert Hearts Productions |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $2,400,000
Budget: $350,000 |
| Updates |
Updated: Feb 01, 2025 Entered: Apr 13, 2024 |
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Helen Shaver | Vivian Bell |
| Patricia Charbonneau | Cay Rivvers |
| Audra Lindley | Frances Parker |
| Andra Akers | Silver Dale |
| Dean Butler | Darrell |
| Gwen Welles | Gwen |
| James Staley | Art Warner |
| Katie La Bourdette | Lucille |
| Alex McArthur | Walter |
| Tyler Tyhurst | Buck |
| Denise Crosby | Pat |
| Antony Ponzini | Joe |
| Jeffrey Tambor | Jerry |
| Donna Deitch | Hungarian Gambler |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Donna Deitch | Director |
| Jane Rule | Author |
| Natalie Cooper | Writer |
| Robert Estrin | Editor |
| Tim Flack | Casting |
| Jeannine Oppewall | Production Design |
| David Brisbin | Art Direction |
| Linda M. Bass | Costume Design |
| Richard Arrington | Makeup Artist |
| Don Marando | Hairstylist |
| Robert Elswit | Director of Photography |
| Rosemary Brandenburg | Set Decoration |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Donna Deitch | Producer |
| Carol Jefferies | Associate Producer |
| Cami Taylor | Co-Producer |
| Organization | Category | Person | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit Awards | Best Actress | N/A | Won |
| Spirit Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Audra Lindley | Won |
| Sundance Film Festival | Best Actress | Audra Lindley | Won |
| Spirit Awards | Best Director | Donna Deitch | Nominated |
Popularity History
| Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 15 | 27 | 10 |
| 2024 | 5 | 16 | 25 | 10 |
| 2024 | 6 | 16 | 27 | 8 |
| 2024 | 7 | 16 | 28 | 10 |
| 2024 | 8 | 14 | 24 | 8 |
| 2024 | 9 | 11 | 16 | 7 |
| 2024 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 7 |
| 2024 | 11 | 16 | 42 | 9 |
| 2024 | 12 | 12 | 22 | 8 |
| 2025 | 1 | 12 | 17 | 8 |
| 2025 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Trending Position
Lately I felt I couldn't consider myself a self-respecting cinephile unless I at the very least sampled more works both by female directors and from the gay/lesbian/related subgenre. Fortunately my university offered in its library collection an assortment I decided to peruse occasionally. Although ... Deitch's film is a romantic drama featuring lesbians, I still readily enjoyed it. Glad I took a chance on it and decided to expand my horizons as a adventurous film aficionado.
As a lesbian myself, I have to say I was extremely grateful when a friend recommended I watch this film some 12 odd years ago when I was a willowy 14/15 year old realising that my private emotions were geared towards my own sex but I didn't want to tell the world just yet. I must admit to struggl ... ing to stay with this slow burner, probably due to my impatient teenage angst. But stay with it I did and I have to say it was well worth the journey! Yes, it had a relatively graphic but erotic lesbian love scene, but the film is more than that, not least for the great character study of the two protagonists, and a rather uplifting conclusion. I have seen many lesbian-love story films since then, not least "Below her Mouth" and "Blue is the Warmest Color" - both of them exceptionally well done. But for me, "Desert Hearts" still stands out as an emotive and well handled love story that will stay with me until my dying days.