Performance & Direction: Desperate Lives Review
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Desperate Lives (1982) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.0/10. 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 Desperate Lives features a noteworthy lineup led by Diana Scarwid . Supported by the likes of Doug McKeon and Helen Hunt , 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 Desperate Lives (1982) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.0/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Desperate Lives
Quick Plot Summary: Desperate Lives is a Drama, TV Movie 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: Desperate Lives
Ending Breakdown: Desperate Lives concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. 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 Desperate Lives reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Desperate Lives?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Top Cast: Desperate Lives
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Desperate Lives Parents Guide & Age Rating
1982 AdvisoryWondering about Desperate Lives age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Desperate Lives is 96 minutes (1h 36m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.0/10, and global performance metrics, Desperate Lives is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1982 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desperate Lives worth watching?
Desperate Lives is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Desperate Lives parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Desperate Lives identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Desperate Lives?
The total duration of Desperate Lives is 96 minutes, which is approximately 1h 36m long.
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movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
