Desert Hearts
Performance & Direction: Desert Hearts Review
Last updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Desert Hearts (1985) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Desert Hearts features a noteworthy lineup led by Helen Shaver . Supported by the likes of Patricia Charbonneau and Audra Lindley , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Desert Hearts
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1985, Desert Hearts is a Drama, Romance film directed by Donna Deitch. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Helen Shaver.
Ending Explained: Desert Hearts
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Donna Deitch, Desert Hearts resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation involving Helen Shaver, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Desert Hearts reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Desert Hearts?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Helen Shaver or the director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Desert Hearts
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $350.0K |
| Worldwide Gross | $2.4M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Desert Hearts Budget
The estimated production budget for Desert Hearts is $350.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Desert Hearts
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Desert Hearts Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
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Criterion Channel🎟️ Rent on
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Amazon VideoApple TV StoreFandango At HomeDesert Hearts Parents Guide & Age Rating
1985 AdvisoryWondering about Desert Hearts age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Desert Hearts is 91 minutes (1h 31m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.0/10, and global performance metrics, Desert Hearts is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1985 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desert Hearts worth watching?
Desert Hearts is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Desert Hearts parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Desert Hearts identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Desert Hearts?
The total duration of Desert Hearts is 91 minutes, which is approximately 1h 31m long.
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Critic Reviews for Desert Hearts
Lately I felt I couldn't consider myself a self-respecting cinephile unless I at the very least sampled more works both by female directors and from the gay/lesbian/related subgenre. Fortunately my university offered in its library collection an assortment I decided to peruse occasionally. Although Deitch's film is a romantic drama featuring lesbians, I still readily enjoyed it. Glad I took a chance on it and decided to expand my horizons as a adventurous film aficionado.
As a lesbian myself, I have to say I was extremely grateful when a friend recommended I watch this film some 12 odd years ago when I was a willowy 14/15 year old realising that my private emotions were geared towards my own sex but I didn't want to tell the world just yet. I must admit to struggling to stay with this slow burner, probably due to my impatient teenage angst. But stay with it I did and I have to say it was well worth the journey! Yes, it had a relatively graphic but erotic lesbian love scene, but the film is more than that, not least for the great character study of the two protagonists, and a rather uplifting conclusion. I have seen many lesbian-love story films since then, not least "Below her Mouth" and "Blue is the Warmest Color" - both of them exceptionally well done. But for me, "Desert Hearts" still stands out as an emotive and well handled love story that will stay with me until my dying days.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
