Donna Deitch's tender, ground-breaking debut, a landmark in queer cinema and a triumph of independent filmmaking The swooning and sensual first narrative feature by DONNA DEITCH, Desert Hearts was ground breaking upon its 1985 release: a love story about two women, made entirely independently, on a self-financed shoestring budget, by a woman. In the 1959-set film, an adaptation of a beloved novel by Jane Rule, straitlaced East Coast professor Vivian Bell (The Colour of Money's HELEN SHAVER) arrives in Reno to file for divorce but winds up catching the eye of someone... new, the younger free spirit Cay (Manhunter's PATRICIA CHARBONNEAU), touching off a slow seduction that unfolds against a breath-taking desert landscape. With undeniable chemistry between its two leads, an evocative jukebox soundtrack, and vivid cinematography by ROBERT ELSWIT (Punch-Drunk Love), Desert Hearts beautifully exudes a sense of tender yearning and emotional candour. BONUS FEATURES DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by cinematographer Robert Elswit, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack Audio commentary from 2007 featuring director Donna Deitch New conversation between Deitch and actor Jane Lynch New conversation between Deitch, Elswit, and production designer Jeannine Oppewall about the film's visual style New interviews with actors Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau Excerpt from Fiction and Other Truths: A Film About Jane Rule, a 1995 documentary about the author of Desert of the Heart, the 1964 novel on which the film is based PLUS: An essay by critic B. Ruby Rich [show more]
We will publish your review of Desert Hearts [The Criterion Collection] [Blu-ray] on Blu Ray within a few days as long as it meets our guidelines.
None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.
Debut feature for writer-director Donna Deitch, set in Nevada in 1959. Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) is an English professor from New York staying in Reno while she seeks a quick divorce from her husband. Lodging in a ranch owned by Frances Parker (Audra Lindley) for use by women going through divorces, Vivian finds herself unexpectedly drawn to fellow resident Cay Rivvers (Patricia Charbonneau) who is extremely open about her sexual preferences towards women. As the two strike up a friendship, getting closer by the day, Vivian must decide which path to take once her divorce becomes final.
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy
