Desert Hearts [Region 2] [import] [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Donna Deitch, Helen Shaver, Patricia Charbonneau, Andra Akers, Dean Butler: DVD

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Customer Reviews

14 Reviews

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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4.6 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews)

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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A credible adaptation of Jane Rule's gorgeous novel, 12 Feb 2004

By	Wildfire "quattro-media" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Desert Hearts [DVD] [1985] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (DVD)

Make no mistake, I love this film but it differs significantly from Jane Rule's novel, "Desert of the Heart."
All credit to Donna Deitch for attempting such a difficult adaptation on a fairly low budget. She has captured some of the essence of the story and portrayed the characters beautifully but film does not adapt well to the nuances of the novel which is a superb development of characters, their thoughts and feelings, and the gradual transition of Vivien's (the professor's) self-dicovery from moral dilemma to total surrender.

Beautiful episodes (such as the whole of Chapter 5 where Vivian (Evelyn in the book) is first aware of her "desert of the heart", and the last chapter, are absent. Sex, approached very gradually in the book, amounts to a single scene in the film.

In case you've read the book, Deitch alters the plot in three sifgnificant ways: Frances throws Vivien out of her lodgings in disgust whereas in the book Frances' regard is sufficiently understanding that, for example, she acts as a witness in Vivian's divorce. ii) The film's closing scenes are something of a cop-out: Vivian and Cay clearly and voluntarily part. This seems to set their relationship on the level of sex, where the book suggests an enduring love: Evelyn realises just in time that she can no longer walk away from Cay. The close of the book is a real cliffhanger.
Finally, Cay's talent for cartoon drawing is omitted. It features in their developing relationship and is an early vehicle for finding themselves together in Cay's bedroom.

Although the sex scene is explicit, Deitch's treatment is extraordinarily poetic without being sentimantal. It is among the most beautiful erotic moments in film, surely. All in all, the film has many subtleties of its own and bears repeated viewing.

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47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for all die hard romantics, 1 May 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Desert Hearts [VHS] [1985] (VHS Tape)

I have seen this film a dozen times and each time something new hits me. It's the story of an academic who arrives in town to get a quickie divorce from her husband. She stays on a ranch and meets the woman who will change her life. The first time I saw this film there were parts of it that made me cringe and other bits that I thought were great. The music score is full of wonderful 50's songs with 'Crazy' by Patsy Cline being the theme for the film. The film also includes the best lesbian love scene ever filmed. It's a must for all those lesbians out there looking for a happy ending.

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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Desert Hearts, 1 Sep 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Desert Hearts [DVD] [1985] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (DVD)

This was the first 'lesbian film' I ever saw. It remains a favourite not because it is the best but because of the wonderful way it represents its topic. The film is not a close interpretation of Jane Rule's novel but remains loyal to its spirit.

Basically a college professor goes to Reno for a quicky divorce from her husband and ends up falling for the step daughter of the owner at whose ranch she is boarding. The film progresses slowly to the scene where the two women finally give into their feelings - but it's worth the wait. Helen Shaver is great as the college professor and plays the part with enough tension to really get over her apprehension about having an affair with another woman.

One of the most remarkable things about the film is the use of music - a fantastic 50's score really gives it atmosphere. 'Tell Him He'll Have To Go' is great and of course Patsy Cline's 'Crazy' is the film's anthem.

I can't recommend this film enough. It's one of those milestones in coming out. However it is also one of those films you will love or hate. It has a'happy' ending in that both women leave together - Rule was one of the first to give lesbians a happy ending in her novels. You will be disappointed if you are expecting a 'Go Fish' type film but if you are a die hard romantic buy it today!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars so good i hope they make a 2nd.
this film rocks it was good in its time and its good now,if you go into the DVD extras you will see they are thinking about making a follow up.

Published 1 month ago by Ms. Rebecca J. Connelly

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best lesbian films available.
Desert Hearts [Region 2] [import] [DVD]
This is one of the gentlest, most sensitive, and heart renching lesbian films I have ever seen. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Ms. S. M. Walters

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done !
Desert Hearts is a "free" adaptation of Jane Rule's "Desert of the Heart" novel.
Free, but loyal. Read more

Published 4 months ago by D. Mirat

5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous
It isn't hard to see why this is a classic amongst lesbians the world over. One of the first (if not the first? Read more

Published 12 months ago by RD

5.0 out of 5 stars Only a review of the service
Sorry, I can't give you a review of the content, but the delivery was exactly as promised - prompt and appropriately packaged. Thanks a mill

Published 14 months ago by farawaymum

2.0 out of 5 stars Clearly American
If you are one who enjoys an American movie at snails pace this is a film for you.
Personally I would give it a miss. Read more

Published on 3 Jul 2007 by critic in Devon

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic
I first saw this film years ago and was delighted when my partner bought it for me. An absolute must for your film collection. Read more

Published on 29 April 2006 by Sal

5.0 out of 5 stars A timeless classic
Desert Hearts is one of those movies I'll watch again and again. It's a romance, pure and simple. Read more

Published on 27 Dec 2005 by A. J. Matthews

5.0 out of 5 stars Palpable emotions.
What I really liked about this film is the realistic way in which the doubt, uneasiness and apprehension of a first-time lesbian love is approached by in an up-till-then, straight... Read more

Published on 30 Oct 2005

4.0 out of 5 stars sweet
You've got to love a classic. This has one of the most beautiful love scenes ever done in a movie. The story is full of life, and the charrecters are believeble. Read more

Published on 24 Aug 2005 by Janne Lauridsen

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	73% buy the item featured on this page: Desert Hearts [Region 2] [import] [DVD] 4.6 out of 5 stars (14)
	8% buy Loving Annabelle [DVD] [2006] 4.0 out of 5 stars (22) �8.98
	8% buy Desert Hearts [Region 2] [import]
	6% buy Saving Face [DVD] [2005] 4.3 out of 5 stars (9) �4.88


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Desert Hearts [Region 2] [import] [DVD]

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