Watch Desert Blue
- R
- 1998
- 1 hr 30 min
-
6.1 (2,530)
Desert Blue is a coming-of-age drama film released in 1998, directed by Morgan J. Freeman. The movie follows the story of a young man named Pete Monroe (played by Casey Affleck) who lives in the small town of Baxter Beach, located in the middle of the California desert. Pete's father, an independent filmmaker, is in town to shoot a movie about the nearby military base, while Pete himself dreams of leaving the town and making his own movie.
The film begins with the arrival of a big-time Hollywood actress named Simone (played by Christina Ricci), who is stranded in Baxter Beach when her car breaks down. As Simone is a childhood friend of Pete, she decides to wait around town until her car is fixed. Her arrival stirs up the town, and soon everyone finds themselves confronting their own desires and secrets.
Pete is trying to escape from the shadow of his father and the town itself. He sees this as an opportunity to make his own movie, but his plans are derailed when his mother, who is also the town's mayor, announces that a big corporation is interested in buying out the entire town. This news divides the town, with some residents seeing it as an opportunity to make a profit, while others want to preserve the town's history and integrity.
As Pete's dreams of making his film begin to slip away, he finds solace and companionship in Ely Jackson (played by Brendan Sexton III), a troubled teenager from the wrong side of the tracks, who is the leader of a gang of young car thieves. Despite Ely's reputation, Pete is drawn to his raw energy and talent for working with cars. This leads to a deep, emotional friendship that challenges both of them to face their demons.
As the town becomes increasingly divided over the future, a host of other characters come into focus, each with their own motivations and secrets. Kate Hudson plays Skye Davidson, a young woman who is struggling to escape the shadow of her father, who is convinced that the corporation will ruin the town forever. John Heard plays the movie director who is in town to shoot Pete's father's film. Ethan Suplee plays Blue, a mentally challenged man who holds the key to the town's history.
Desert Blue is a film that explores the themes of coming of age, friendship, and the preservation of our past. It offers a glimpse into the possibilities of life and the struggles that come with finding oneself in a world that can be confusing and uncertain. The desert setting offers a stark contrast to the dreams and aspirations of the characters, while also highlighting the beauty of simplicity and the importance of keeping things in perspective. The film is a reflection of the human experience, a poignant reminder of the moments that define us and the choices we make that will shape our lives forever.
Desert Blue is a 1998 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.