Desert Bloom (1986)
A quietly powerful coming-of-age drama set against the eerie glow of 1950s Las Vegas atomic testing, where one girl's memories illuminate a fractured American family.
Desert Bloom - Movie Information
Desert Bloom - Plot
The story involves Rose Chismore's youth. She flashes back and remembers her coming-of-age. Her recollections are sometimes less than sweet, particularly those of her troubled and alcoholic step-father. Her memories of Robin, her first-love, are much happier and she also recalls her colorful Aunt Starr -- who's visit is fun but also detrimental to her family's health. The setting of 1950s Las Vegas' bomb testing is increasingly significant to the development of the story.
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Desert Bloom - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Eugene Corr
Main Cast
- Annabeth Gish
- Jon Voight
- JoBeth Williams
- Ellen Barkin
- Jay Underwood
- Allen Garfield
- Christine Lahti
- Laura Rasmussen
Writers
- Eugene Corr
- Linda Remy
Producers
- Michael Hausman
Desert Bloom - FAQs
Where can you watch Desert Bloom online?
Desert Bloom is available to stream or rent on various platforms depending on your region. You can check JustWatch for a full, up-to-date list of streaming services, rental options, and purchase links available in your country for this 1986 drama.
Is Desert Bloom based on a true story?
Desert Bloom is not directly based on a single true story, but it draws heavily on the real historical context of 1950s nuclear bomb testing in Nevada. Writer-director Eugene Corr crafted a semi-autobiographical narrative inspired by the era's anxieties and the lived experiences of families near the Las Vegas test sites.
Who are the main actors in Desert Bloom?
Desert Bloom stars Annabeth Gish as young Rose, Jon Voight as her troubled stepfather Jack, JoBeth Williams as her mother Lily, and Ellen Barkin as the vivacious Aunt Starr. Jay Underwood plays Robin, Rose's first love, with Allen Garfield and Christine Lahti rounding out the cast.
What is Desert Bloom about?
Desert Bloom follows Rose Chismore, who looks back on her adolescence in 1950s Las Vegas. Her memories encompass a volatile, alcoholic stepfather, the joyful chaos brought by her Aunt Starr's visit, a tender first romance, and the ever-present dread of nearby atomic bomb tests reshaping daily life.
Who directed Desert Bloom?
Desert Bloom was written and directed by Eugene Corr. It marked his feature directorial debut and was produced by Columbia Pictures. Corr co-wrote the screenplay with Linda Remy, drawing on the cultural and emotional landscape of Cold War America to craft this intimate coming-of-age story.
How long is Desert Bloom?
Desert Bloom has a runtime of 105 minutes, or 1 hour and 45 minutes. The film was released theatrically in the United States on January 22, 1986, distributed by Columbia Pictures.
How was Desert Bloom received by critics?
Desert Bloom earned strong critical praise upon release, with reviewers highlighting Annabeth Gish's nuanced debut performance and Jon Voight's intense portrayal of a damaged stepfather. Critics commended the film's evocative period atmosphere and its thoughtful blending of personal coming-of-age drama with the broader anxieties of the atomic age.
What are movies similar to Desert Bloom?
If you enjoyed Desert Bloom, you might also appreciate Ed Wood (1994), Casino (1995), The Last Emperor (1987), M*A*S*H (1970), and The Tin Drum (1979). These films share thematic or stylistic elements, including period settings, complex family dynamics, and richly drawn character studies.
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