Desert Hearts (1985)

Genre

Drama | Romance

Director

Donna Deitch

Country

USA

Cast

Helen Shaver, Patricia Charbonneau, Audra Lindley, Andra Akers, Gwen Welles, Dean Butler, James Staley, Katie La Bourdette, Alex McArthur, Tyler Tyhurst, Denise Crosby, Antony Ponzini

Storyline

1950s. Unsatisfied with her marriage, and feeling out of place at the ranch she's staying, professor Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) finds herself increasingly drawn to Cay Rivers (Patricia Charbonneau), the lesbian daughter of the ranch owner.

Opinion

I've read quite a lot about this film but never had a chance to watch it. Or maybe I just didn't want to. However it is, I did watch it last night and it wasn't love at first sight. It's not like "Desert Hearts" is a bad film, actually it is a fine lesbian romance, but the thing is that the film is not that interesting.

The film tells the story of two different women who end up falling in love in Nevada in the 1950s. It is a simple story, but it is enhanced by the fact that it was probably the first lesbian film to have a plot beyond sex, to have characters that are more than stereotypes, characters that feel real, and most important both characters enjoy a satisfactory ending. So yeah, I do realise why it was such a big deal when it came out. 

However, the film is pretty dull. It is also quite slow which didn't bother me at all, but the fact that I wasn't able to care about the story nor the characters, and that I wasn't able to find a single, interesting scene in the whole film kept me from liking it.

Okay, maybe that isn't completely true, because the love scenes are good. They are yes, erotic but tender at the same time. They are beautifully choreographed and aren't more explicit than needed - which is quite the opposite of what happens in heterosexual films.

And I have to admit the leading duo, Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau, does a really good job. They both deliver wonderful and believable performances, and their chemistry is just magical.

Carol (2015)

Genre

Drama | Romance

Director

Todd Haynes

Country

UK | USA

Cast

Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Kyle Chandler, Jake Lacy, Cory Michael Smith, John Magaro, Carrie Brownstein, Kevin Crowley

Storyline

An immediate connection sparks between Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), a young woman working in a Manhattan department store and dreaming of a more fulfilling life, and Carol (Cate Blanchett), an alluring woman trapped in a loveless, convenient marriage. Their connection eventually deepens, and while Carol breaks free from the confines of marriage, her husband (Kyle Chandler) begins to question her competence as a mother.

Opinion

I had been looking forward to this film for months, and despite my high expectation, I was sure it would have let me down, like Todd Haynes's "Far From Heaven" did. To my surprise, the film lived up to my great expectations. 

Masterfully directed, beautifully shot and led by a powerful Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, Carol is a tender, tough and thoughtful film made of glances, feelings and atmospheres, that seduces the viewer.

One of the biggest challenges of filmmaking is to find new stories to tell. The ultimate challenge is being able to tell an already-seen story in an original and interesting way. This is certainly the first hurdle Todd Haynes faced with this film that brings back to the memory his "Far From Heaven". Needless to say, he overcame it beautifully.

The story's extremely slow pace is the main reason many did not like the film. At the same time the pace is the main reason the film works. In this manner, Haynes has all the time to focus on every single shade because the storytelling follows an evolution of feelings never expressed in words and kept hidden even in the private.

The script, written by Phyllis Nagy and adapted from Patricia Highsmith's novel "The Price of Salt", is tight, has strong development, and does not waste time. Same goes with dialogue. Each line conveys so much about the story and none of them is wasted. 

Then there is a sex scene, which is very common in films. Sometime their only purpose is to have a beautiful woman naked. Some other times they are over extended for no reason probably just to make people talk about the film ("Blue Is the Warmest Colour"). Then there's some other times where the tension between the couple starts building from the beginning, and when they become intimate, the scene is more powerful than any other in the film. Carol's is one of the latter, and as if that wasn't enough, the scene is masterfully done, beautifully shot and so well acted that it conveys all the passion. Carol and Therese will make love again, but there is no other sex scene as those involved - probably both director and writer(s) - knew it wouldn't add anything to the film.

To add another layer of greatness to this film there's Carter Burwell's score. Although repetitive at times, it was divinely blended with the era of the film. It starts with a simple piano, followed by violin, and then suddenly the sound of an angelic harp. Simply the best score of the year.

And lastly the strong and powerful leading duo, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Cate Blanchett is - as always - brilliant as Carol, and so consistently magnetic she could make you fall in love with a stare. Rooney Mara is outstanding and her portrayal of Therese showed the character's innocence and her journey towards self-discovery. The chemistry between the two of them is simply remarkable. Sarah Paulson is also unforgettable as Abby, Carol's childhood friend and ex. The chemistry between her and Blanchett is also wonderful.

Go see it before it's too late.

My angel, flung out of space... - Carol

Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013)

Original Title

La Vie d'Adèle - Chapitres 1 & 2

Genre

Drama | Romance

Director

Abdellatif Kechiche

Country

Belgium | France | Spain

Cast

Léa Seydoux, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Salim Kechiouche, Aurélien Recoing, Catherine Salée, Benjamin Siksou, Mona Walravens, Alma Jodorowsky, Jérémie Laheurte, Anne Loiret, Benoît Pilot, Sandor Funtek, Fanny Maurin, Maelys Cabezon, Stéphane Mercoyrol, Aurelie Lemanceau

Plot

Adèle (Adèle Exarchopoulos) is an introverted high-school student whose classmates gossip constantly about boys. While crossing the street one day, she passes by a woman with short blue hair (Léa Seydoux) and is instantly attracted. She dates a boy (Jérémie Laheurte)at her school for a short while and they have sex, but she is ultimately dissatisfied and breaks off their relationship. After having vivid fantasies about the woman she saw on the street and having one of her female friends behave flirtatiously towards her, she becomes troubled about her sexual identity.

Opinion

Blue Is the Warmest Colour is a wonderful and emotional film about life, love and sexuality. This film has made quite a stir for the lesbian sex scene lasted 10 minutes, on the edge of eroticism, but also the most powerful and sweet in the entire history of cinema.
Both Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux were sensational, and the film deserves to be watched only for their performances.
I am really disappointed this film wasn't nominated for best foreign film, and Adèle Exarchopoulos wasn't nominated for best actress in a leading role at the Academy Awards.

Quotes

Emma: But I have infinite tenderness for you. I always will. My whole life.

Adèle: I miss you. I miss not touching each other. Not seeing each other, not breathing in each other. I want you. All the time. No one else.

Rating

9.0/10