Desert Hearts (1986): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Desert Hearts is a 1986 romantic drama directed by Donna Deitch, starring Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes and earned $2.5 million worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Female Lead at the Spirit Awards 1987. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Donna Deitch
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Samuel Goldwyn Company, The
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Desert Hearts About?
The premise of Desert Hearts without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In 1950s Nevada, a reserved professor, Vivian Bell, travels to a desert ranch hoping for a change of scenery. There, she unexpectedly begins a passionate and transformative affair with the free-spirited Cay Rivers. As their relationship deepens, Vivian confronts her own personal beliefs and anxieties against the backdrop of the vast and beautiful desert, accompanied by the evocative sounds of country music.
Desert Hearts Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- lesbian
- breasts
- female frontal nudity
- nipples
- kissing while having sex
- self discovery
- lesbian sex
- passionate kiss
- female protagonist
- younger woman seduces mature woman
- lesbian love
- mature woman younger woman sex
+38 more Show fewer
- naked breasts
- female female kiss
- divorce
- desert
- based on novel
- lust
- seduction
- title directed by female
- reno nevada
- year 1959
- director cameo
- train
- train station
- producer director
- blackjack
- female director
- female filmmaker
- lesbianism
- queer
- 1960s
- female female relationship
- sex scene
- two women share a bathtub
- shower
- nervousness
- lesbian interest
- shared bath
- dancing
- kissing in a car
- kiss
- exploring sexuality
- rain
- women dancing together
- bathtub
- kissing in the rain
- first lesbian experience
- nevada
- casino
Desert Hearts Cast
Helen Shaver leads the cast, with Patricia Charbonneau. Directed by Donna Deitch.
- Director Donna Deitch
More from Donna Deitch
More films directed by Donna Deitch: Common Ground, The Devil’s Arithmetic, A Change of Place and Criminal Passion.
Desert Hearts Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Desert Hearts 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 90% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 77%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 67 Metascore
User score 8.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 70% User score
See on TMDB
Desert Hearts Plot Summary
What happens in Desert Hearts from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In the sweltering summer of 1959, Vivian Bell, a 35-year-old English professor at Columbia University in New York City, embarks on a quest to Reno, Nevada, with a singular ambition: to obtain a swift divorce. She finds temporary solace at a rustic guest house ranch, a sanctuary for women awaiting the finalization of their divorces, managed by the watchful Frances Parker.
Upon her arrival in Reno, Vivian encounters Cay Rivers, a lively and free-spirited sculptor, whose unorthodox nature and disregard for societal conventions instantly captivate Vivian. As they spend more time together, Vivian becomes increasingly enchanted by Cay’s uninhibited enthusiasm and carefree disposition, providing a much-needed escape from the limitations of her own life.
Full summary
The whole story of Desert Hearts, scene by scene
Desert Hearts Box Office
Desert Hearts grossed $2.5 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$2.5M
- US & Canada
- $2.5M
Desert Hearts Awards & Nominations
Desert Hearts earned 1 award nomination, including Best Female Lead at the Spirit Awards 1987.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 1987 1 nomination- Nominated Best Female Lead – Patricia Charbonneau
Desert Hearts Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer DESERT HEARTS - Janus Films Trailer
How Well Do You Know Desert Hearts?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Vivian Bell's primary reason for traveling to Reno?
Cars in Desert Hearts
12 cars on screen, including the 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner and the 1951 De Soto Custom Station Wagon.
-
1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Sunliner Main role -
1951 De Soto Custom Station Wagon Important role -
1955 Chevrolet 3100 Minor role -
1957 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer Minor role
Desert Hearts Also Known As
15 alternative titles, including “Corazones Desiertos” and “Media hora más contigo”.
- Also known as
-
- Corazones Desiertos
- Media hora más contigo
- Cuori nel deserto
- לבבות במדבר
- Καρδιές της Ερήμου
- A szerelem sivataga
- Неприкаянные сердца
- Опустошени сърца
- 爱的甘露
- Yksinäiset sydämet
- 데저트 하츠
- Corações Desertos
+3 more Show fewer
- ビビアンの旅立ち
- Pouštní srdce
- Pustynia serca
Seen Desert Hearts?
Movies Like Desert Hearts
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Desert Passion, Hearts of Fire and Hearts of Fire.
Desert Hearts FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Desert Hearts, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Desert Hearts?
Desert Hearts runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was Desert Hearts released?
Desert Hearts was released on March 7, 1986.
Who directed Desert Hearts?
Desert Hearts was directed by Donna Deitch.
More films by Donna Deitch Who is in the cast of Desert Hearts?
Desert Hearts stars Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau.
How much did Desert Hearts make at the box office?
Desert Hearts grossed $2.5 million worldwide.
How is Desert Hearts rated?
Desert Hearts has 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.
Was Desert Hearts nominated for any awards?
Desert Hearts received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does Desert Hearts have a post-credit scene?
No. Desert Hearts has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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