Desert Hearts is a groundbreaking 1985 film directed by Donna Deitch. It is based on the novel Desert of the Heart by Jane Rule, which is considered a groundbreaking work of lesbian fiction. The film tells the story of Vivian Bell, a straight-edge literature professor, who travels to Reno to obtain a quick divorce and get away from the emotional turmoil of a broken relationship. She plans to spend the summer working on her doctoral dissertation and teaching a literature class at a local university.
Vivian arrives at a boarding house run by Frances, a kind-hearted woman who introduces her to Cay, a free-spirited and unconventional girl who works at a casino. Cay and Vivian are immediately drawn to each other, but Vivian tries to resist her feelings. The two women spend time together, and Cay shows Vivian another side of herself, taking her horseback riding and introducing her to the local lesbian community.
As Vivian and Cay get closer, Vivian's inner conflicts become more apparent. She is afraid of what it means to be attracted to another woman, and worried about what others will think of her. Cay, on the other hand, is openly gay and doesn't care about what anyone thinks of her. The two women struggle to reconcile their differences, but eventually become willing to risk everything for each other.
Desert Hearts is considered a landmark film in lesbian cinema. It was one of the first mainstream movies to depict a lesbian relationship in a positive light. The film's themes of self-discovery, fear, and acceptance still resonate with audiences today. Desert Hearts is a beautifully shot and acted movie that captures the spirit of love, liberation, and self-expression.