Desert Hearts

Starring:Andra Akers, Sheila Balter, Brenda Beck, Dean Butler (II), Patricia Charbonneau, Denise Crosby, Patricia Frazier, Katie La Bourdette, Audra Lindley, Joan Mankin, Tom Martin (III), Alex McArthur, Sam Minsky, Frank Murtha, Antony Ponzini, Helen Shaver, James Staley, Tyler Tyhurst, Gwen Welles
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video
When college professor Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) arrives in Reno in 1959 to get a quickie divorce, the last thing on her mind is romance. A prim intellectual, crippled by a sterile marriage ("We're a professional couple") and hiding behind her education, she moves into a ranch belonging to Frances Parker (Audra Lindley) and tries to keep to herself. But Parker's beautiful, sassy tomboy of a stepdaughter proves to be quite a distraction, and a love affair slowly blossoms. Cay (Patricia Charbonneau) refuses to be bound by convention or by expectations of how a nice girl should behave, and her devil-may-care attitude both attracts and terrifies the nervous professor.

Shaver is terrific as Vivian, and the slow thawing of her character is beautifully paced--you can feel the tension break when she finally lets down her guard. Another strong performance comes from Audra Lindley as Frances. She's a tough old bird with a drinking problem, but Lindley keeps the character from descending into stereotype, and she gives full rein to the tragic side of this lonely woman, especially as she struggles with her reaction to the developing relationship between Cay and Vivian.

Amazon.com essential video

When college professor Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) arrives in Reno in 1959 to get a quickie divorce, the last thing on her mind is romance. A prim intellectual, crippled by a sterile marriage ("We're a professional couple") and hiding behind her education, she moves into a ranch belonging to Frances Parker (Audra Lindley) and tries to keep to herself. But Parker's beautiful, sassy tomboy of a stepdaughter proves to be quite a distraction, and a love affair slowly blossoms. Cay (Patricia Charbonneau) refuses to be bound by convention or by expectations of how a nice girl should behave, and her devil-may-care attitude both attracts and terrifies the nervous professor.

There are scenes in Desert Hearts that would be painfully clichéd if they appeared in a heterosexual romance, and even here they only just escape that fate--relying a little too much on significant glances and lines that just don't sound like real conversation. Nevertheless, first-time director Deitch breathes new life into a standard straight-arrow-meets-free-spirit plot, and steadfastly refuses to turn this love story into an "issues movie." Add to that a strong feel for the period and a soundtrack filled with the likes of Patsy Cline and Gene Vincent, and the result is a warm, well-acted film that packs a real emotional punch. --Simon Leake

Customer Reviews:

desert hearts.......2007-07-03

This is one of the best lesbian movies of the time. It never grows old.

Terrific Bonus Features!.......2007-06-07

I loved the interviews with the lead actresses that come with this new release! The fact that Donna Deitch decided to conduct the interviews herself makes them so much fun to watch. Shaver and Charboneau are both very candid and there's lots of giggling throughout both interviews.

Helen Shaver is an absolute dreamboat and in my ideal world, an interview with her would be included on every dvd that I bought. When she starting speaking about her own nipple, I had to pause the dvd and get a drink of water.

Buy this new release! If you're like me, you'll fall in love all over again.

The Bonus Disc - Info .......2007-06-06

Most people purchasing this item have seen the film. Desert Hearts is a contemporary classic and ahead of it's time when first released. It's a standard now in most every gay-girls DVD collection. This newly released two-disc edition includes some bonus materials.

I'll review the bonus disc as there are plenty of well written reviews of the actual film.

1. The "never before seen footage" of the famous love scene. This is the first bonus item on the extra disc. It is NOT a re-cut extended scene. This is the raw footage from, argueably, the most famous lesbian love scene ever. We are not necessarily given more content, but simply the same content from different angles, over multiple takes.

2. Commentary by director Donna Deitch. Fun and informative.

3. Interviews with the two main stars by director Deitch. To me, this feature is worth the price of this collection. Donna Deitch interviews both Patricia Charbonneau ( Cay ) and Helen Shaver ( Vivian ). These are one-on-one sessions which recall memories of filming and, more importantly, the impact the film had on both actresses. These interview sessions were done in March 2007. The only thing that might have made them more interesting would have been if the actresses had actually been reunited for the interviews. They are each interviewed, separately, by Deitch. While both actresses are fun to watch, it is Helen Shaver and her insights that are the most rewarding.

4. The Theatrical Trailer - This is actually interesting because, while the film hold up strongly, the trailer comes across as rather dated.

All in all, I'd recommend this set. It's a wonderful film, and the bonus disc will add a nice dimension to viewing it again.

coming out.......2007-05-24

i first saw this movie 14yrs ago on bravo.. i knew i felt different about women then men. this movie opened my heart because i had the same feeling as the professor.. within a few days i finally told someone i thought i was a lesbian.... finally i had my identity!!!! this movie will always be close to my heart

Great Classic.......2007-05-23

A truly enjoyable movie once you get past some of the corny lines and scenes. Both women are just beautiful for their time and I loved the transformation of Helen's character because I could relate personally. I would of liked if they would of ended the movie without leaving us guessing where the relationship was going but at least it left us still hopeful!

Average customer rating:

desert hearts
Terrific Bonus Features!
The Bonus Disc - Info
coming out
Great Classic

Desert Hearts
Starring: Andra Akers , Sheila Balter , Brenda Beck , Dean Butler (II) , and Patricia Charbonneau
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Period Piece | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Gay & Lesbian | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video