Back to trending
Desert Hearts

Desert Hearts

Drama · Romance · 1985

While waiting for her divorce papers, a repressed literature professor finds herself unexpectedly attracted by a carefree, spirited young woman named Cay.

Movie details

Desert Hearts

“In 1959, Vivian Bell came to Reno, Nevada for a quick divorce. Of all the people she met there, the one who surprised her the most was herself.”

1985 Drama · Romance 1h 31m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.1 / 10

Community rating

While waiting for her divorce papers, a repressed literature professor finds herself unexpectedly attracted by a carefree, spirited young woman named Cay.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Desert Hearts?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

Below Her Mouth

Below Her Mouth

Drama · 2017

An unexpected affair quickly escalates into a heart-stopping reality for two women whose passionate connection changes their lives forever.

The French Lieutenant's Woman

The French Lieutenant's Woman

Drama · 1981

In this story-within-a-story, Anna is an actress starring opposite Mike in a period piece about the forbidden love between their respective characters, Sarah and Charles. Both actors are involved in serious relationships, but the passionate nature of the script leads to an off-camera love affair as well. While attempting to maintain their composure and professionalism, Anna and Mike struggle to come to terms with their infidelity.

Mammal

Mammal

Drama · 2016

After Margaret, a divorcée living in Dublin, loses her teenage son, she develops an unorthodox relationship with Joe, a homeless youth. Their tentative trust is threatened by his involvement with a violent gang and the escalation of her ex-husband's grieving rage.

My First Summer

My First Summer

Drama · 2020

Isolated on a remote property, 16-year-old Claudia finds her world transformed when a spirited girl named Grace wanders into her garden.

Time Is Up

Time Is Up

Romance · 2021

Vivien, an accomplished student with a passion for physics, and Roy, a troubled young man, are involved in an accident that forces them to reclaim their lives one minute at the time.

I Walk the Line

I Walk the Line

Drama · 1970

Henry Tawes, a middle-aged sheriff in a rural Tennessee town, is usually the first man to criticize others for their bad behavior. Miserable in his marriage, Henry falls in love with teenage seductress Alma, who is the daughter of local criminal and moonshiner Carl McCain. Henry's moral character comes further into question when he is tempted to conceal Carl's crimes in order to prolong his relationship with Alma.

Prozac Nation

Prozac Nation

Drama · 2003

When talented young writer Elizabeth Wurtzel earns a scholarship to Harvard, she sees it as her chance to escape the pressures of her working-class background and concentrate on her true talent. But what starts out so promising leads to self-destructive behavior and paralyzing depression that reflects an entire generation's struggle to navigate the effects of divorce, drugs, sex, and high expectations.

Hemingway & Gellhorn

Hemingway & Gellhorn

Drama · 2012

Writer Ernest Hemingway begins a romance with fellow scribe Martha Gellhorn.

Unfaithful

Unfaithful

Thriller · 2002

A New York suburban couple's marriage goes dangerously awry when the wife indulges in an adulterous fling.

Newness

Newness

Romance · 2017

In contemporary Los Angeles, two millennials navigating a social media–driven hookup culture begin a relationship that pushes both emotional and physical boundaries.

Where it lives

Watch in your region.

Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.

Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.

Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Donna Deitch

Written by

Natalie Cooper

Helen Shaver

Helen Shaver

Vivian Bell

Patricia Charbonneau

Patricia Charbonneau

Cay Rivvers

Audra Lindley

Audra Lindley

Frances Parker

Andra Akers

Andra Akers

Silver

Gwen Welles

Gwen Welles

Gwen

Dean Butler

Dean Butler

Darrell

K

Katie La Bourdette

Lucille

Court is in session

Put Desert Hearts on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Sincerity is not manipulation.”

The film risks embarrassment to make emotion communal, and that openness is harder than fashionable detachment.

The prosecution The Adrenaline Seeker

“The strings are showing.”

Every cue tells you exactly what to feel and when, leaving sentiment to do the work character should have done.