Desert Hearts

Desert Hearts is a 1985 American romantic drama film directed by Donna Deitch and starring Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau. The film is based on the 1964 Jane Rule novel Desert of the Heart, which was published by Macmillan Publishers. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was later screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival. It features music by Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen, who have also worked with Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks.

Introduction

The film Desert Hearts explores themes of lesbianism and homophobia in the 1950s, set against the backdrop of Reno, Nevada, and Lake Tahoe. The story is influenced by the works of Tennessee Williams and William Faulkner, and features a strong female lead, similar to those found in the films of Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola. The movie's setting and characters are reminiscent of the works of Annie Proulx and Larry McMurtry, who have written about the American West and its people. The film's exploration of LGBTQ+ rights is also similar to the works of Harvey Milk and Marsha P. Johnson, who were pioneers in the gay rights movement.

Plot

The plot of Desert Hearts follows the story of Vivian Bell, a New York City-based English literature professor who travels to Reno, Nevada, to obtain a divorce from her husband. While in Reno, she meets Cay Rivers, a lesbian rancher who lives in the nearby desert. The two women develop a romantic relationship, which is influenced by the works of Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster. The film's portrayal of lesbian relationships is also similar to the works of Audre Lorde and Adrienne Rich, who were prominent figures in the feminist movement. The story is set against the backdrop of the Cold War and the Red Scare, which is reminiscent of the works of Arthur Miller and Elia Kazan.

Production

The production of Desert Hearts was influenced by the works of John Cassavetes and Shirley Clarke, who were known for their independent films. The film was shot on location in Reno, Nevada, and Lake Tahoe, and features a strong female cast, including Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau. The movie's cinematography is similar to the works of Gordon Willis and Vittorio Storaro, who have worked with Francis Ford Coppola and Bernardo Bertolucci. The film's score is composed by Patti Scialfa and features music by Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty, who have also worked with Bob Dylan and Neil Young.

Release

The release of Desert Hearts was met with critical acclaim, with many praising the film's portrayal of lesbian relationships and its exploration of LGBTQ+ rights. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was later screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival. The film was distributed by Desert Hearts Productions and Samuel Goldwyn Films, and features a strong marketing campaign, similar to those used by Miramax Films and The Weinstein Company. The movie's release is also similar to the release of Brokeback Mountain, which was directed by Ang Lee and starred Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Reception

The reception of Desert Hearts was largely positive, with many praising the film's portrayal of lesbian relationships and its exploration of LGBTQ+ rights. The movie received positive reviews from critics, including Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, who praised the film's strong female leads and its cinematography. The film also received several awards and nominations, including the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and the Golden Leopard at the Locarno International Film Festival. The movie's reception is also similar to the reception of The Color Purple, which was directed by Steven Spielberg and starred Whoopi Goldberg and Danny Glover.

Legacy

The legacy of Desert Hearts is significant, with the film being recognized as a landmark in the LGBTQ+ film genre. The movie's portrayal of lesbian relationships and its exploration of LGBTQ+ rights have been praised by many, including Harvey Milk and Marsha P. Johnson, who were pioneers in the gay rights movement. The film's influence can be seen in the works of Gregg Araki and Todd Haynes, who have directed films such as Mysterious Skin and Far from Heaven. The movie's legacy is also similar to the legacy of The Celluloid Closet, which was directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman and explored the representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in film. Category:American films