Desert Hearts (1985)

Desert Hearts (1985)

Romance blooms between two women in 1950s Nevada in this queer classic

7.3

Movie

United States of America
English
Drama, Romance
1985
DONNA DEITCH, FEMALE DIRECTOR
Alex McArthur, Andra Akers, Antony Ponzini
91 min

What it's about

The story of straight-edge literature professor Vivian who travels to Reno to get away from a relationship breakup when she falls in love with an attractive and unconventional girl named Cay.

The take

Contemplative English literature professor Vivian leaves New York for Reno, Nevada, to facilitate her divorce from a lifeless marriage. There she meets Cay, a sculptor and free spirit living relatively uncloseted for the time. What starts as an inspiring friendship soon turns to attraction. It is partly the story of Vivian's sexual awakening, partly a transformative love story persuasively depicted through earnest, unadorned dialogue and love scenes, and vulnerable performances. A heartfelt and tender romance, the scenes are delightfully set to a soundtrack of Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash singles and filmed over the expansive horizons of the Nevada desert.

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