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As a groundbreaking lesbian film, Desert Hearts (1985) is often discussed in terms of what it’s not: an issues movie, a tragedy, a Hollywood story so focused on dramatizing sexual politics it forgets to be a believable romance.
But director Donna Deitch’s drama deserves more attention for what it is—a tenderhearted character study about an odd couple in an odd place.
In fact, the romance of a Columbia English professor and a casino worker in 1959 Reno plays beautifully into the Hollywood lineage of stories about city gals falling for country charmers. Only in this case, Patricia Charbonneau’s Cay is the rugged lead crushing the flirtations Robert Mitchum might’ve delivered in Westerns 35 years earlier.
“It’s my hideout,” Cay slyly says of the ranch where she lives outside Reno.
“What are you hiding from?” the jumpy professor, Vivian (Helen Shaver), asks.
“Anything I can’t handle.”
Working within the film’s tight $1.5 million budget, Deitch also unveils several sharp ideas for visualizing that sense of encountering someone unlikely in the nick of time.
When Cay first roars into the movie, she’s flooring her Ford convertible in reverse, trying to catch up with Vivian’s car to say hello. In Cay’s final appearance, she’s also traveling in reverse, this time walking backward, a few steps ahead of Vivian’s departing train.
They’re back where they started, with the only question being, will Vivian catch up to her this time?
Desert Hearts plays Aug. 16 at Tomorrow Theater.
Also Playing:
5th Avenue: Burden of Dreams (1982), Aug. 14–16. Academy: No Country for Old Men (2007), Donkey Skin (1970) and Pumpkinhead (1988), Aug. 12–13. Josie and the Pussycats (2001), The Holy Mountain (1973) and Cruising (1980), Aug. 14–20. Cinema 21: Hail the Conquering Hero (1944), Aug. 15. Cinemagic: Tiger Cage (1988), Aug. 12. Amélie (2001), Aug. 13. Sleepaway Camp (1983), Aug. 14. Wet Hot American Summer (2001), Aug. 14, 15 and 17. Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981), Aug. 15 and 18. Meatballs (1979), Aug. 16. Moonrise Kingdom (2012), Aug. 15–17. Clinton: Life of a Shock Force Warrior (1972), Aug. 12. Urgh! A Music War (1981), Aug. 13. Carrie (1976), Aug. 14. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Aug. 15. Ugetsu (1953), Aug. 17. Diary of a Shinjuku Thief (1968), Aug. 18. Cult Classics: The Nest (1988), Aug. 16. Hollywood: Heat (1995), Aug. 15. Appleseed (1988) and Black Magic M-66 (1987) double feature, Aug. 16. Moreland: The Phantom Tollbooth (1970), Aug. 12. The Secret of NIMH (1982), Aug. 17–19. St. Johns Twin Cinemas: Fade to Black (1980), Aug. 15. Tomorrow: Wild (2014), Aug. 13. Heathers (1988), Aug. 15.
