Ep. 301: Desert Hearts

Claire and Gavia review the 1985 lesbian romance movie Desert Hearts, directed by Donna Deitch. Set in 1950s Nevada, this groundbreaking film follows a whirlwind relationship between a soon-to-be-divorced New York academic (Helen Shaver) and a devil-may-care casino worker (Patricia Charbonneau).

Among other topics, this episode covers Desert Hearts’ relationship with 1950s romance movies, its unique place in queer film history, and its pitch-perfect lead characters.

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Links:

“Breaking Ground: A Conversation with Donna Deitch,” Hillary Weston, Criterion

“Interview With Donna Deitch,” Karman Kregloe, After Ellen

Previous episodes: The Watermelon Woman, Far From Heaven, Carol