Criterion Discovery: Desert Hearts
Background: An important yet overlooked milestone in lesbian cinema, Donna Deitch’s Desert Hearts (Spine #902) arrives to the Criterion Collection. Story: While awaiting the completion of her byzantine divorce proceedings at a Nevada ranch, uptight English professor Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) is captivated by free-spirited sculptor Cay Rivvers (Patricia Charbonneau). Despite being the late 1950s, Cay is an out, unapologetic lesbian who openly flirts Vivian. Though initially hesitant to reciprocate, Vivian embraces Cay and the two make love. Their fledgling relationship is challenged when Cay’s surrogate mother Frances Parker (Audra Lindley) tries to separate them, but the two end...
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