Desert Hearts
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| Desert Hearts | |
|---|---|
 Promotional movie poster for the film |
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| Directed by | Donna Deitch |
| Produced by | Donna Deitch Cami Taylor |
| Written by | Jane Rule (novel) Natalie Cooper |
| Starring | Helen Shaver Patricia Charbonneau Audra Lindley |
| Cinematography | Robert Elswit |
| Editing by | Robert Estrin |
| Distributed by | Samuel Goldwyn Company |
| Release date(s) | August 28, 1985 |
| Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Desert Hearts is a 1985 lesbian-themed romantic drama film loosely based on the Jane Rule novel Desert of the Heart. Directed by Donna Deitch, the film stars Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau with a supporting performance by Audra Lindley.
Contents |
[edit] Plot summary
Desert Hearts is set in the 1950s. Vivian Bell (Shaver), a professor of English, travels to Nevada to obtain a divorce. She stays at a guest house owned by Frances Parker (Lindley). Vivian meets Cay Rivvers (Charbonneau) a free-spirited painter to whom Frances is a surrogate mother. Vivian and Cay begin a love affair. When Frances learns of the affair and of Cay's lesbianism she is shocked and dismayed. With Vivian's divorce finalized and Vivian planning on returning to New York City, she and Cay must decide whether their relationship can continue.
[edit] Awards and nominations
- 1987 Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead - Patricia Charbonneau (nominated)
- 1985 Locarno International Film Festival Bronze Leopard - Helen Shaver (winner)
- 1986 Sundance Film Festival Honorable Mention - Dramatic
- 1986 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize (nominated)
[edit] DVD release
Desert Hearts was released on Region 1 DVD on January 23, 2001.
