Desert Hearts (1985)

6.5 Popcorn boxes

This film has been in my film collection for years; I finally got around to watching it.

It's billed as a ground-breaking film that seeks to show a lesbian relationship that doesn't end in suicide, madness, or a sudden conversion to heterosexuality.  Despite its legendary status among gays and lesbians, 'Desert Hearts' in an uneven film.

Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) is a Columbia English professor who travels to Reno, Nevada, to establish the six week residency necessary in the 1950s to achieve a 'quickie' divorce.  She stays at a 'divorce dude ranch' to wait out her six weeks.  The ranch is run by Francis Parker, a lonely widow, who tries to support the ranch outside of Reno by taking in borders such as Bell.

Also living at the ranch is a change girl, Cay Rivvers (the very lovely Patricia Charbonneau).  Cay is introduced to Vivian in a stunning car scene, in which the car Cay is driving, goes in reverse at high speed to match Vivian and Francis' car.  Later, as Vivian settles in her temporary home, She encounters the unconventional Cay in more relaxed settings.  Cay is attracted to Vivian from the start, but Vivian doesn't reciprocate.  Later, Vivian begins to change her mind, and, tentatively responds to Cay's overtures.

First the good points: the film is lushly photographed.  High desert such as the area around Reno can be quite beautiful, and it's on high display here.  The period cars (the film is set in 1959) are fantastic.  The soundtrack is a high point, relating time-appropriate music.  The two leads are beautiful, well-costumed, and know their lines.

The bad points: the story is stilted, as is the acting.  The film is curiously emotionless. Shaver is only somewhat believable as she softens her tone to Cay Rivvers.  For herself, Charbonneu doesn't fully inhabit her role.  Audra Lindley is not very believable as Parker.  She's stiff and a bit wooden in her performance.  You never know if she's got a sexual desire for Cay, or just wants companionship.  Even the ending is unsatisfying.

Rated R for graphic sexual scenes.