Other mistake: During the epic love scene between Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau, look carefully at a closeup shot as Patricia kisses Helen. Parts of each one's hair is inexplicably wet and they haven't been fooling around long enough to sweat.
Visible crew/equipment: During the argument Cay and Vivian are having outside look at the car. You can see the reflection of the camera. Not only that but in the background is a crew member trying to stay hidden behind a parked car.
Visible crew/equipment: When Cay and Vivian are sitting on the floor of Vivian's room at night look at the window carefully. You can see the reflection of the camera in it.
Plot hole: It's never explained why Frances Parker would be upset about Cay pursuing Vivian. She knows she's gay, but we're never told why she's mad.
Revealing mistake: When Cay and Vivian are out in the desert it starts raining. Yet once they're in the car after the big kiss they seem completely dry with their hair only slightly damp. Clearly they just got their hair sprayed.
Continuity mistake: Vivian was in the other room of her hotel room only a few seconds, there's no way Cay could completely undress that quickly and without making any noise.
Continuity mistake: While they kiss prior to having sex, Vivian is wearing an old pink robe. Just after she's been dipped and kissed on the bed by Cay her robe is suddenly opened without her or Cay having opened it.
Factual error: During the movie they play two Patsy Cline songs, Crazy and Leaving On Your Mind.Problem is Desert Hearts is set in 1959.Those two songs were released several years later, Crazy in 1961, Leaving On Your Mind in 1963.