Thelma & Louise: A ‘90s classic that redefined female characters in cinema

Filmmaker Ridley Scott has produced timeless classics over the years. Films such as Alien, Blade Runner, Kingdom of Heaven, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down remain widely regarded as some of his best films. However, his relatively lesser-known 1991 adventure road dramedy Thelma & Louise, deserves to be placed on the same pedestal as the aforementioned titles. It is therefore our pick for this episode of Lost and Found.

The film stars Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon in lead roles as the titular characters Thelma and Louise. The film is a throwback road trip buddy-comedy but with a twist. The classic trope is told from a female lens, and the film’s screenplay and visuals are meticulously crafted to showcase how a road trip across America is a stark contrast to how male characters in films have forever depicted it in films. The plot follows how Thelma and Louise’s adventure which hits an early speed bump when Louise shoots and kills a man after he attempts to rape Thelma. The duo’s road trip of self-discovery soon becomes one of survival and their soul-searching journey takes a very different form.

The film highlights how the male gaze is often used as a storytelling tool in films to add a bit of harmless humour to the narrative. It further implores how such callousness in writing these scenes has normalised the idea of hypersexualisation of female characters who are often objectified. Despite the feminist overtones, the themes are added to the narrative with nuance and it does not give one the feeling of being “too on the nose”. So it should come as no surprise that the film’s writer Callie Khouri won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay in 1992.

In addition to stellar writing, the film also features captivating performances from its lead stars Davis and Sarandon, as well as a breakthrough performance from a young Brad Pitt. Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, and Christopher McDonald are also part of the film’s star-studded ensemble. The film earned five Academy Award nominations including Best Actress for both Davis and Sarandon as well as Best Director for Ridley Scott.

Thelma & Louise continues to be a significant part of film history even to this day, and its themes and subtext being ahead of its time during its original theatrical run in 1991.

You can watch Thelma & Louise here.

Well that's all we got for today's episode of Lost and Found, Until the next one it's your host Nikhil signing out.

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• Ryan Gomez

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