Performance & Direction: Desert Bloom Review
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Desert Bloom (1986) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Desert Bloom features a noteworthy lineup led by Annabeth Gish . Supported by the likes of Jon Voight and JoBeth Williams , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Desert Bloom (1986) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.5/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Desert Bloom
Quick Plot Summary: Desert Bloom is a Drama, Family film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Desert Bloom
Ending Breakdown: Desert Bloom attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Desert Bloom reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Desert Bloom?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: Desert Bloom
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Desert Bloom Online?
Streaming HubDesert Bloom Parents Guide & Age Rating
1986 AdvisoryWondering about Desert Bloom age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Desert Bloom is 105 minutes (1h 45m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.5/10, and global collection metrics, Desert Bloom stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1986 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desert Bloom worth watching?
Desert Bloom is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.5/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Desert Bloom parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Desert Bloom identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Desert Bloom?
The total duration of Desert Bloom is 105 minutes, which is approximately 1h 45m long.
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Critic Reviews for Desert Bloom
_**Underrated drama about coming of age in 50's Vegas**_ "Desert Bloom" (1986) is an excellent and underrated coming-of-age drama about a semi-dysfunctional family living in Las Vegas in the early 50s. The military is conducting atomic bomb testing nearby. The story mostly focuses on 13 year-old Rose (Annabeth Gish) who struggles with her relationship with her stepfather, Jack (Jon Voight). Jack suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism. Her mother, Lily (JoBeth Williams), is the pillar of the family that keeps them together and hopeful. When Lily's sexpot sister, Starr (Ellen Barkin), visits it's both a blessing and a curse. The film grabbed my attention from the get-go, which is a good sign, and sustained it till the end. The first two acts are solid drama that build up to the more volatile final act. Most families function satisfactorily from day to day with an undercurrent of some frustration or animosity, which leads to the occasional explosion of emotions. This is what we see in "Desert Bloom," and it's a potent explosion. The acting is stellar, by the way. Voight's one of the greatest actors in the history of cinema and he's just so believable here. Williams, Barkin and Gish as well. Roger Ebert inexplicably complained that the film is about two many things, but I never got this feeling for a second. Yes, the story juggles quite a few issues -- coming-of-age, atomic bomb testing, mental disorders, child abuse, alcoholism and inappropriate relations -- but they all gel together for a cohesive whole. With all these elements the film is rich with gems to mine. Here are three that I'd like to mention: * The balding, pudgy neighbor who is boldly willing to stand up for an abused child. * The solid mother who keeps her composure at all times, until she catches wind of something sinister. At that point, watch out! (But notice what she does after the explosion). * The ending's emphasis on repentance, forgiveness and redemption. It's so effective it's a mite tear-inducing. As far as the dramatic vibe goes, "Desert Bloom" is reminiscent of films like "Jacknife" (1989) and "Blue Sky" (1991). It's on par with the former and better than the latter. The film was shot in Vegas & Tucson and runs 105 minutes. GRADE: A-
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This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
