Thelma & Louise
Starring: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Christopher McDonald, Brad Pitt, Stephen Tobolowsky, Timothy Carhart
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Thriller
1991

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) decide to get away for the weekend. When one of them is nearly raped, they commit a crime and flee from the scene. They decide to head to Mexico, although the police are hot on their trail.

Review:

Tim: Thelma & Louise is one of those iconic movies that transcends normal films and becomes part of the cultural consciousness. Indeed, I knew the story and the famous ending long before I actually watched the movie. You know a film is good when it is referred to even decades after its release. Director Ridley Scott creates a compelling, powerful, extremely entertaining film here. This is a great movie.

I really enjoyed the story and the complexity in it. At its heart, this is a story about two friends willing to do anything for each other. However, there is also a great deal about the evils of chauvinism and the lifelong scars that come from something as horrible and awful as rape. This is also a film about women becoming more empowered, throwing off the shackles of tradition and embracing a new world filled with new potential. You also have some consideration about what makes a person good or evil, and you'll be surprised by how this film challenges you in those areas. There's just so much involved in this film. You can watch Thelma & Louise on so many different levels. If you want to watch it purely for entertainment sake, you won't be disappointed. However, if you dig deeper, you'll see the layers of complexity and how interesting this film is in multiple areas. That is the mark of a great movie.

The cast is terrific, and add so much to the film. Susan Sarandon is such a talented actress, and she embraced the opportunity this movie afforded her. She is terrific in every scene, yet shows a good deal of restraint, letting her costars shine as well. I loved that Sarandon managed to be excellent while not overshadowing any other aspect of the movie. That speaks to her talent. Geena Davis is very good as well. At first, I thought Sarandon was clearly out-acting her, but Davis undergoes a pretty amazing transformation as the movie goes on. Davis' metamorphosis is striking and one of the most powerful, memorable aspects of the film. This all happens is a believable manner, and that is because Davis does such a terrific job. Sarandon and Davis work very well together- they are believable as lifelong friends, and so much fun is had by watching these two powerful actresses interacting together on screen.

The supporting cast is likewise amazing, and are another big contributor to the film's success. I loved seeing Harvey Keitel in this film. He was given a smaller role with not a whole lot going for it- however, he transforms the role by giving a terrific performance, and makes his mark on the film. Keitel's presence is a big part of this film. I also really enjoyed Michael Madsen and Christopher McDonald. They were two different characters, but helped this movie in their own ways. I also loved seeing a young Brad Pitt. He certainly gives a star-making turn with his charismatic, memorable performance. He's involved in several iconic scenes, and does a very good job seizing the opportunity afforded to him.

Thelma & Louise is a story about friendship, but there is a great deal of energy, too. There are some great action scenes, car chases, and explosions. I love how this movie gelled female-focused movie aspects with male-focused movie aspects. This is why this film appeals to such a wide demographic. It also helps the movie moves quickly and is constantly engaging. It is suspenseful, but also emotional. Ridley Scott took a film that could have been a throwaway, lightweight film, and makes it something of lasting substance. This is a great movie.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Dead Man Walking, The Long Kiss Goodnight, A League of Their Own