Thelma & Louise
1991
Directed by Ridley Scott – Written by Callie Khouri
Starring: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis and Harvey Keitel
Just past its 20th Anniversary, Thelma and Louise (1991) still remains one of the inspirations that encouraged me into becoming a filmmaker.
The film is about two women who are heading out on a weekend getaway; Thelma is doing this under her husbands nose as he is controlling and most certainty wouldn’t let her go, Louise is more carefree and doesn’t rely on any ones permission, She does as she pleases.
Disaster strikes when they pull over at a bar, Thelma comes close to sexual assault and is only stopped when Louise saves her. When the bar goer insults Louise, she shoots him feeling no remorse. The girls then go on the run, in the process discovering themselves as people.
Despite its age, it is without doubt one of my favorite films. A film primarily about women and the changes that they go through during their journey. Their changes as characters can be identified through there change of clothing throughout the film. The characters are wearing fairly feminine clothing, their hair is done fairly nice and their make up is presented well. They are both wearing white, which is obvious but is reflecting their innocence at this stage. Most of Thelma’s clothing is white, including her underwear. Towards the end of the film both characters are wearing jeans and cut up T-Shirts-perhaps something a man would wear? Interestingly Louise is wearing more white than Thelma, showing the change in the characters how perhaps there personalities have swapped over.
Strong feminist themes are portrayed in this film. One of the key ones is how they are constantly undermining the men in the film. From Thelma’s husband, Darryl to the majority of the police force who think they are better than the girls. The one exception being Hal, the one man that the women trust.
The women break out of their stereotypes and start acting the way men do. Thelma and Louise are the heroes and not the stereotypical female protagonist who fall in love with the man.
One of my favorite moments is when the truck driver who makes vulgar sexual remarks towards them, takes one-step too far. The repercussions of his actions result in his truck being blown up leaving him high and dry in the Grand Canyon.
Although the ending is not pleasant its ironically happy at the same time. Thelma and Louise essentially knew their fate. They no longer have to be told what to do by men, or spend time in prison and then go back to their dull, stereotypical lifestyles. Callie Khouri has done a phenomenal job along with director Ridley Scott.
9/10
– Laura Chapman
f/Stop Retina 