Desert Bloom (1986)

Director:

Eugene Corr

Writers:

Linda Remy (screen story) and
Eugene Corr (story)

Release Date:

August 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Plot:

The story involves Rose Chismore's youth. She flashes back and remembers her coming-of-age. Her recollections are sometimes less than sweet...

Plot Keywords:

1950s | Coming Of Age | USA | Working Class | Dysfunctional Family

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Annabeth Gish	...	Rose Chismore
Jon Voight	...	Jack Chismore
JoBeth Williams	...	Lily Chismore
Ellen Barkin	...	Aunt Starr
Jay Underwood	...	Robin (as Jay D. Underwood)
Desiree Joseph	...	Dee Ann Chismore
Dusty Balcerzak	...	Barbara Jo Chismore
Allen Garfield	...	Mr. Mosol
Tressi Loria	...	Shelly
Laura Rasmussen	...	Meryl
William Lang	...	Colonel
Jim McCarthy	...	Driver
Ann Risley	...	Mrs. Muratore
Rick Schieffer	...	Mr. Brandal
Irene Goodnight	...	R.C. Volunteer

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Australia:PG | Norway:11 | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | West Germany:12 (video rating) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company:

Carson Productions

Trivia:

Winona Ryder auditioned on video for the part of Rose, which eventually went to Annabeth Gish.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

Soundtrack:

MOCKIN' BIRD HILL

Oscar-worthy acting by Jon Voight; good story

This film story initially appeared to be a more or less typical coming of age story of a teenage girl, set in the '50's at the height of the atomic bomb testing age in the desert southwest, but ended up being a sad and multi-faceted story of unrealized potential, chronic physical pain, alcoholism, paranoia, abuse, spousal enabling, ruined family potential, and of a daughter's loss of love and trust in her father due to the results of his very human and typical response to great pain....self medication by alcohol. That, plus another very typical male response by her father to excessive temptation by his wife's sister who, without a care for the family unit, threw her many sexual charms at her drunk brother in law. Weak as he was in all ways he still responded, to great familial damage. Just too many human flaws and life burdens for any family to survive intact, and this one was no exception.

There are some outstanding acting performances in history that I think have gone outrageously unrewarded by Oscar. A few are the 1956 portrayal of Vincent van Gogh by Kirk Douglas in Lust For Life, Karen Black in Five Easy Pieces, Kevin Kline in Sophie's Choice, Tim Roth in Rob Roy, and Jon Voight in this film. When Voight was on screen, I could not see anyone else. That defines acting greatness, and was the case with the other performances stated. And, I find it very interesting that 4 of these 5 roles demonstrated an obvious form and level of mental illness. Maybe all of them did. Interesting point.

If you have ever known anyone who was forced to live with great chronic pain you may better understand the quality of Voight's performance, his very obvious pain resulting from severe WWII wounds that he knew would dog him mean every day of his tortured life. I knew someone with that great pain, and Voight's performance was so spot on I could not believe that someone without that pain could portray it so realistically.

You want to see truly great acting? Do yourself a favor and see Jon Voight in this film and get the rest of the well made story as a bonus.