Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict

Aedonerre I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

Helllins It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.

Yash Wade Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Red-125 Desert Hearts (1985) was written and directed by Donna Deitch. The movie is set in Reno, Nevada in the late 1950's. At that time, a route to a quick divorce was for women to travel to Reno, establish "residence" for six weeks, and then get a rubber-stamp (but legal) divorce.Helen Shaver plays the sophisticated Vivian Bell, a professor at Colombia University, who has traveled to Reno for her divorce. Clearly, she is out of place in Reno. Patricia Charbonneau portrays Cay Rivvers, who is very much at home in Reno. She works at a casino, changing dollar bills for silver dollars so that people can play the slot machines.The basic plot of the movie is whether Vivian and Cay will have a lesbian love affair. In 2018, it's hard to remember that, even in 1985, this was a daring topic. In fact, both leads had to sign contracts agreeing to appear nude from the waist up. Both actors were told that it would be career suicide if they took these roles.This movie is worth seeing because it may have been the first mainstream movie that dealt openly with lesbian love and lesbian sexual attraction. Don't see it because of the sex scene that "nearly fogs the camera's lens." Maybe in 1985 the lens got fogged, but not now.See it for the good acting from both leads, and see it because it reminds us of how far we've progressed as a society since 1985. We saw this film at the wonderful Dryden Theatre at Rochester's George Eastman Museum. The film has been digitally restored. The restoration was funded by a consortium of groups. Unfortunately, the restoration had to be done digitally, because of the immense cost of restoring 35mm films to 35mm. However, that's OK, because the digital reconstruction looks great. The movie will work well enough on the small screen. It's worth seeking out and seeing.

Irishchatter I think this is the best underrated lesbian film I've ever came across and it's still great for over 30 years like! Helen Shaver had such a beautiful voice and by god, she is so stunning! The same for Patricia Charbonneau, she really was sexy and provide such a great role as Cay Rivvers! You really wouldn't know she was pregnant like she hid the bump pretty well! She probably got married pretty young by the looks of her!In the film, I even loved Audra Lindley as Frances Parker who let Vivian stay at her place while she was going through the divorce. I honestly wish they didn't make her character into such a control freak because she doesn't look like the person who would shout at your face!This movie should really have deserved more awards because really, this movie has great tastes in music and of course, 80's love ;)

hdavis-29 I first saw this film in its theatrical release in Toronto. I knew it was a pretty special movie back then. We talked about it with our friends, and then it quietly slipped away, replaced by more recent fare. Years later I found the video tape on a table for $5 and I bought it, remembering that I had liked it ten years earlier. This time around I liked it even more and began to re-appreciate how special some of the performances were.Now, 15 years later, during a purge of video tapes, I've rediscovered DESERT HEARTS. I find I like it even more this time. Frankly, I couldn't care less about gay politics. I acknowledge that North America (the US and Canada, anyway) hasn't been real great in dealing with minority groups (race, religion, sexual orientation) during the past century. But I don't even see this film in terms of sexual politics. It's just a great love story dealing with the painful steps it takes to cross over any barrier. The sexual tension is palpable. Ms. Charbonneau is both gorgeous and a natural actress. The scene in the hotel room where she waits in bed for Helen Shaver is just spectacular. The supporting cast and the settings are also excellent.I like the vintage music (when is the last time you heard Johnny Cash sing "Get Rhythm" on a soundtrack?) My one criticism concerns the abrupt fade-to-black style at the end of each brief scene. For me, it got in the way of the story telling and continuity.Although I've discounted politics in writing this review, I have to admit that DESERT HEARTS was surely a brave film in its time. Maybe in this time, too. Kudos to those involved for taking those risks.

Kelly (hisown) Before Ellen, kd lang, and Chastity Bono came out, there was this Lesbian genre classic, and classily done, I might add. The storyline was unique to movies at the time it was filmed, but the story is not. Anyone who has been in love with a supposed "straight" person, knows how real this movie can seem. The flirtation, the backing away, the come-hither looks, and finally the conquest all will bring back good (and painful) memories. In my opinion, the lesbian love scene between the two female leads is still the best yet on film - it sizzles without being too graphic. I'm giving it only an 8 because the acting is a little stilted at times (mostly from the star Patricia Charbonneau and her former on-screen love interest Dean Butler). If you can overlook that, and see the movie for what it was (lesbian/gay history) and what it is today (a great love story), you will enjoy it. The clothes, music, sets, (and the hair-dos!) are great and correct for the period. Sit back, enjoy, and make sure your girlfriend is watching with you!