Desert Hearts

An early example of modern American independent cinema and a landmark LGBT film, the 1985 drama Desert Hearts follows the journey of Vivian (Helen Shaver), a college professor who arrives in Reno for a six-week stay at a vacation ranch set up for women who have come to Nevada for a divorce. Based on Jane Rule's 1964 novel Desert of the Heart, the story is set in 1959, a more conservative time when divorce was not as culturally accepted and was more difficult to obtain. Vivian feels conflicted when she finds herself intrigued by Cay (Patricia Charbonneau), a younger, openly lesbian woman. Vivian is an East Coast intellectual out of place in the desert town of gambling and ranches and Cay is a restless free spirit who works at the casino and has a revolving door of lovers, but their connection deepens as they spend time together. Director Donna Deitch focuses on the personal story rather than any political statement, exploring Vivian's struggle against her straight-laced nature and her resistance to the idea that she could be sexually attracted to another woman. Meanwhile, Cay has her own issues, balking at any genuine emotional commitment in a lifestyle of casual sex. Produced on a tiny budget, the film is sustained by strong performances and a powerful chemistry between the actresses, and it is a rare same-sex love story of the era that suggests the possibility of a happy ending. Extras include audio commentary by Deitch, a conversation between Deitch and actress Jane Lynch, interviews with Shaver and Charbonneau, a retrospective featurette, an excerpt from a 1994 documentary on author Rule, and an essay by film critic B. Ruby Rich. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)