While waiting for her divorce papers, a repressed professor of literature is unexpectedly seduced by a carefree, spirited young lesbian.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- 2 wins & 2 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Helen Shaver | ... |
Vivian Bell
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| Patricia Charbonneau | ... |
Cay Rivvers
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| Audra Lindley | ... |
Frances Parker
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Andra Akers | ... |
Silver
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| Gwen Welles | ... |
Gwen
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| Dean Butler | ... |
Darrell
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| James Staley | ... |
Art Warner
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Katie La Bourdette | ... |
Lucille
(as Katie LaBourdette)
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Alex McArthur | ... |
Walter
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Tyler Tyhurst | ... |
Buck
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| Denise Crosby | ... |
Pat
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| Antony Ponzini | ... |
Joe
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Brenda Beck | ... |
Joyce
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Sam Minsky | ... |
Best Man
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Patricia Frazier | ... |
Change Girl
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Sheila Balter | ... |
Roadside Waitress
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Tom Martin | ... |
Red Cap
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Joan Mankin | ... |
Casino Waitress
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Frank Murtha | ... |
Minister
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Dave Roberts | ... |
Lon
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Bob Blankman | ... |
Croupier
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Ron Fisher | ... |
Drunk Gambler
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Gene Skaug | ... |
Announcer
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| Donna Deitch | ... |
Hungarian Gambler
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Gordon Chaplin | ... |
Groomsman (uncredited)
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| Jeffrey Tambor | ... |
Jerry (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Donna Deitch | ||
Written by
| Jane Rule | ... | (based on the novel "Desert of the Heart" by) |
| Natalie Cooper | ... | (screenplay by) |
Produced by
| Donna Deitch | ... | producer (produced by) |
| Carol Jefferies | ... | associate producer |
| Cami Taylor | ... | co-producer |
Cinematography by
| Robert Elswit | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Robert Estrin | ||
Editorial Department
| Sandra Adair | ... | assistant editor |
| Don Starnes | ... | assistant editor: dailies synching (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Tim Flack | ||
Production Design by
| Jeannine Oppewall | ||
Art Direction by
| David Brisbin | ||
Set Decoration by
| Rosemary Brandenburg | ||
Costume Design by
| Linda M. Bass | ... | (as Linda Bass) |
Makeup Department
| Richard Arrington | ... | makeup artist |
| Don Marando | ... | hair stylist |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Whitney R. Hunter | ... | second assistant director (as Whitney Hunter) |
| George W. Perkins | ... | first assistant director (as George Perkins) |
Art Department
| Lisa De Alva | ... | assistant property master |
| Trish Gallaher Glenn | ... | property master (as Trisha B. Gallaher) |
Sound Department
| Beth Bergeron | ... | sound effects |
| John Brasher | ... | sound mixer |
| Roberta Doheny | ... | sound effects / sound mixer |
| Alia Kahn | ... | sound effects |
| Austin McKinney | ... | production sound mixer |
| Lars Nelson | ... | sound effects |
| Jack M. Nitzsche Jr. | ... | boom operator (as Jack M. Nietzsche Jr.) |
Stunts
| Fred Culbertson | ... | stunt driver |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Curtis Bradford | ... | best boy grip |
| Stephen Crawford | ... | best boy electric |
| Martin J. Layton | ... | first assistant camera |
| David Lear | ... | still photographer |
| Mitch Marcus | ... | second assistant camera |
| Jane O'Neal | ... | still photographer |
| Kirk A. Peterson | ... | grip |
| Steve Smith | ... | key grip |
| John Zumpano | ... | gaffer |
Casting Department
| Sally Lear | ... | extras casting: Reno |
| Jeff Oshen | ... | casting associate |
Location Management
| Shirley Dale | ... | location coordinator |
| Michael 'Doc' Dill | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Robert Estrin | ... | music consultant |
| Terri Fricon | ... | music supervisor |
| Gay Jones | ... | music supervisor |
Script and Continuity Department
| Benita Brazier | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Fred Culbertson | ... | transportation coordinator |
Additional Crew
| Jeff Jacobsen | ... | production assistant |
| Louise Kollenbaum | ... | title designer |
| Coni Lancaster | ... | production associate |
| Geralyn Miller | ... | production coordinator |
| Vince Onken | ... | craft service |
Production Companies
Distributors
- The Samuel Goldwyn Company (1985) (United States) (theatrical)
- Mainline Pictures (1986) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Seven Keys (1986) (Australia) (theatrical)
- 20th Century Fox India (1987) (India) (theatrical)
- Seven Keys Home Video (Australia) (video)
- Vestron Video International (1987) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- BIM Distribuzione (1988) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Wolfe Video (2006) (United States) (DVD)
- Astro Distribution (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
- Cinemien (2008) (Germany) (DVD)
- Janus Films (2017) (United States)
- The Criterion Collection (2017) (United States) (DVD)
- The Criterion Channel (2019) (United States) (tv) (digital)
- HBO Max (2020) (United States) (video) (VOD)
- The Company of Motion Pictures (Netherlands) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Fricon Entertainment (music supervision)
- Hollywood Studio Vehicles (transportation coordination)
- J's Fine Art Inc. (sound effects)
- Pacific Title (titles and opticals)
- System One (payroll services)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
It is 1950s Nevada, and Professor Vivian Bell arrives to get a quickie divorce. She's unsatisfied with her marriage, and feels out of place at the ranch she stays on, she finds herself increasingly drawn to Cay Rivers, an open and self-assured lesbian, and the ranchowner's daughter. The emotions released by their developing intimacy, and Vivian's insecurities about her feelings towards Cay, are played out against a backdrop of rocky landscapes and country and western songs.
Written by Neil Lewis |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | The all-time favorite lesbian film classic! See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $1,250,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $22,862, 06 Apr 1986 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | The $350,000 budget for the film was raised independently with limited partnerships. See more » |
| Goofs | Toward the end of the movie, when Vivian and her divorce lawyer are walking down the steps of the courthouse, you can see an older woman with a straw hat walk up the stairs by them. When Vivian & the lawyer reach the door to walk outside, you can see the same woman walking in. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Desert Hearts/Mona Lisa/Letter to Brezhnev (1986). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Leavin' on Your Mind See more » |
| Quotes |
Vivian:
I wouldn't know what to do. Cay: You can start by putting the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door. See more » |