Desert Hearts

There was apparently much more to Rule's novel, but as translated here it's old-school queer pulp with a happier ending (she still loved the film). That it was sold as erotica isn't ideal but not unfair--erotica needn't contain more than one moment of congress, if that, and all of this is obviously building to the climactic sex scene, which hits all its marks. The rest is simple but appealingly charged--the highway speed-cute's an all-timer--with some intriguing subtext (Cay & Francis in bed).

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY

What is it that you want?? Another 40 minutes with you.. Cryyyyyy

What a lovely film! I suppose this is some pretty standard stuff at this point, but it’s completely elevated by its leads (who were simply exceptional) and very down-to-earth writing. I really liked all of the directing and cinematography despite some very dated transitions and editing. I loved Vivian and I grew to love Cay as well. It’s a relationship you want to see blossom. This was made with all of the nuance and tenderness it needed to be made with. A delightful watch!

Everyone’s so emotional! Yeesh! 🤣 Love the art direction and the actors. Felt like there were huge pieces missing, though—wasn’t sold on the connection at first. Felt like there was a lot more talking about love than showing & that wasn’t the fault of the actors or design department—must have been the adaptation, editing, writing or directing. Felt like half the movie was missing. But even still, the characters were intriguing. Feels like a lesby Tales of the City by D Lynch set in retroNevada.

A landmark film but beyond Shaver's performance it doesn't have that much to offer. Charbonneau's character isn't fleshed out enough - one never really gets a handle on why Shaver is so beguiled by her. I am all for selective use of period hits on movie soundtracks but this one really overdoes it, and some of the dialogue is rather trite. The gorgeous location work is a bonus.

Lines, acting, cinematography, editing, ending, all good.

Get yourself a girlfriend who looks at you the way Cay looks at Vivian

Of all the possible ways to get kicked out of a divorce ranch...

Can’t imagine how refreshing and exciting this must have felt in 1985! Although the shape of the story is very familiar it’s elevated by two impeccable lead performances and a powerful and honest depiction of longing. Tenderly romantic and erotic.

Empty, empty, empty..... If there was a movie that I could never imagine watching a second time, it would be this one. The only interesting about this movie is how it was possible to write such a bad script, with completely uninspired dialogue.

Sacaram o alívio aos olhos e intelecto que é um filme lésbico sem aquele maldito e nojento male gaze? Só as cenas de sexo sem olhar punheteiro já valem o filme, mas a narrativa em volta de mulheres contra a sociedade dão uma dimensão metalinguística justamente na questão estética de um olho não-normalizante, de uma linguagem que só a fala subversiva de uma mulher poderia propor. DVD Versátil Mulheres na Direção.

When a love scene is boring, tedious and not erotic, something's wrong. When the whole movie is like that...