Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Desert Bloom (1985)

Average user rating

1 review

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

A near flawless mood piece. It is the '50s and nuclear testing is about to begin in the Nevadan wastes, but back in Las Vegas 13-year-old Rose (Gish) finds family life quite volatile enough. Her alcoholic stepfather (Voight), a traumatised World War II military-freak, seems to hate her but love her glam-puss aunt (Barkin). Written and directed by Corr, the film's main strength is its humorous understatement: it may take a little time to exert its considerable power, but once achieved its control never slips. The performances all round are excellent, avoiding histrionics and conveying with total authenticity the terrifying naivety of the mushrooming atomic age: 'Rise and shine, it's A-bomb time!'

Author: MS

Time Out Film Guide

Email Tweet Share

User reviews of this film

Chicco Leung said...

Posted on Mar 12 2011 15:10 This film is undoubtedly remarkable.The theme it approached ,that is,domestic affairs, was very affectionate to me as it had brought me into a realization of different relations around and very touching indeed.The growth and changes of Rose Chrismore(Annabeth Gish) was the main thing that moved me,for the reaon that it reminds people about their adolescent time.Not only Rose,all the characters in the film had their own independent personality shown,whch is also a point that worth to be appreciated. as viewers can felt involved.For example her Aunt Starr, who reveals her deep struggling over her failure in marriage and love issues--the feeling is very special since it is hard to find films that are produced with messages contiuously given out.
However,the only thing that was limited in "Desert Bloom" would be its pace---somehow there may have a "gap"created if the plot is carried out too slowly, the tense feeling is inevitably,suddenly calmed.

Report as inappropriate