Desperate for Love

Desperate for Love

Year: 1989

Runtime: 93 mins

Language: English

Director: Michael Tuchner

DramaTV MovieRomance

The story of murder among a trio of teenagers after a boy breaks up with a girl and she runs into the arms of his vulnerable best friend.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Desperate for Love (1989)

Trace every key event in Desperate for Love (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Friends in a small-town high school

Alex Cutler is the most popular student with a promising future. Cliff Petrie is an introverted teen who keeps to himself. Lily Becker is a popular, attractive cheerleader who has been dating Alex and is planning to marry him after graduation.

start of story town high school
2

A father's disapproval and class divide

Alex's father believes he should attend university and points out Lily's different background. The friction is reinforced by Lily's reputation and the town's view of her. The two families become sworn enemies, foreshadowing trouble for the couple.

before graduation Alex's home / Lily's home
3

The breakup under pressure

What started as a promise to stay together ends when Alex breaks off the relationship to satisfy his father. Lily is shocked and upset by the sudden rupture, and her sense of betrayal deepens. The couple's plans begin to fall apart.

shortly after the disapproval Alex's home
4

Lily seeks comfort and finds Cliff

Feeling depressed, Lily reaches out to Cliff, who secretly admires her. At first Cliff hesitates, thinking Lily still loves Alex, but they discover they have much in common. Lily confides that she feels used and devalued by men.

days after breakup Lily's home
5

A dangerous seduction and a plan

Lily seduces Cliff and explains she is attracted to him; she even plans on marrying him. Cliff, impressed by how highly she thinks of him, struggles with his feelings. The budding romance destabilizes the triangle even further.

shortly after Lily's home / Cliff's place
6

The fallout and a brittle reconciliation

When Alex learns of the affair, he responds in anger and ends his friendship with Cliff. Over time, he comes to regret that decision, and the boys begin to reconcile. The trio's tangled loyalties leave Lily caught in the middle.

soon after the breakup town
7

A fragile rebalancing

A short while later, Alex and Cliff befriend each other again. Lily reveals that she and Alex have become a couple once more, leaving Cliff crushed by the turn of events. The emotional stakes rise as friendship and love collide.

one month later town
8

Elopement plan and heartbreak

Alex promises to elope with Lily, but he is too afraid to commit and stands her up on the plan. Lily returns home in tears, and her father, already wary of Alex, becomes furious and lashes out. The broken promise deepens the rift between families.

the night of the planned elopement town
9

A fateful night in the woods

In a volatile moment, Lily's father grabs a rifle and goes into the woods. Meanwhile, Alex and Cliff are hunting in the same woods, unaware of the danger. The tension of the night sets the stage for a disappearance.

the same night as the stand-up the woods
10

Alex is missing

The next day, Alex is reported missing, leaving Lily to seek comfort from Cliff. She begins to suspect that Cliff killed Alex out of love for her, complicating the emotional web. Cliff remains silent as rumors swirl.

the day after the disappearance town / woods
11

Funeral and arrest

After Alex's funeral, Lily tells the police what she believes happened and Cliff is arrested. The town is shaken as a young man’s life seems to unravel before the trial.

after the funeral funeral, town police
12

The murder trial begins

Two years pass and the murder trial begins, bringing Lily back into focus as witnesses are called. Lily claims Cliff admitted the killing, while her attorney questions her reliability and past promiscuity. The courtroom becomes the stage for truth and manipulation.

two years later courtroom
13

Verdict and parole

Cliff ultimately pleads guilty to murdering Alex, accepting responsibility for his actions. He is sentenced to eight years in jail, but is released on parole after four years. His parole arrives in October 1988, marking the end of the legal saga.

October 1988 (parole date) jail / parole

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:32

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Desperate for Love Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Desperate for Love, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Desperate for Love Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Desperate for Love

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Desperate for Love

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