Thelma & Louise contains one of the most masterful cinematic endings known in the history of film. As far as dynamic duos, the chemistry between Geena and Susan is palpable on-screen. They're iconic women, beyond reproach, and this movie is a beautiful act of revenge for every woman (or person who grew up subject to misogyny). Time and time again, we see these women stand up for themselves and take matters into their own hands. I wholly recommend seeing this timeless classic - see it as soon as possible, if you know what's good for you!

Director Ridley Scott met his rise to stardom after his success with the science-fiction thriller 'Alien' in 1979, and his dystopian thriller masterpiece 'Blade Runner', although it didn't initially receive the proper recognition by critics or at the box office upon it's release. At the dawn of 90s, the awe-inspiring filmmaker decided to steer into another route aside from the sci-fi genre, and that is when he found the courage to tackle on some thought- provoking themes about society and feminism. His achievement is found here in this dark road-trip comedy starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis in their anti-heroine roles who are given a mouth full to say about society and it's uncouth treatment towards women, but perhaps not the most orthodox way for that matter. The film centers on Thelma Dickinson (played by Geena Davis), an Arkansas housewife living under the household of her manipulative husband Darryl (played by Christopher McDonald); and her best friend Louise Sawyer (played by Susan Sarandon), a waitress at a local diner who's dating kind-hearted musician Jimmy (played by Michael Madsen) who sadly doesn't have enough for her as his music career always have him on the road. Escaping from their boring and demented lives, Thelma and Louise decide to take a road trip in their 1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible. Along the way, they stop at a local bar where Thelma meets a handsome young man who quickly turns dangerous when he tries to rape her. Catching him in the middle of act, Louise opens fire and kills the guy, leading to her and Thelma fleeing their hometown. Learning they are now wanted by the law enforcement, the women make a desperate attempt to flee to Mexico with Detective Hal Slocumb (played by Harvey Keital) hunting them down.If you are looking for a high-octane action thriller with gunfights and explosive special effects, then you are probably not at the right place. If you are looking a road-trip comedy with big laughs and charm, you're probably not at the right place either. Though there is some humor and cleverness to be encountered from it's two lead actresses, this road-trip flick has something much more provocative to say than just light-hearted entertaining set pieces. The movie centers on it's two titular character as journey across the country in search of a new life after becoming fed up of their sour lifestyle they endured from their constant maltreatment from the male crowd, and this all leads to a feministic atmosphere as these women fight for power over their lives. This also accounts to to some grim, but fascinating character studies. For instance, one scene involves Lousie imploring Thelma to find way to make it to Mexico without cruising through Texas due to her fear of being in the state after a horrifying experience left her traumatized. From there on, you begin to feel for both her and Thelma as you come to realize they have been victims of horrible crimes that left scars on them, and they won't heal. Although their cynical views on society and callous behavior don't make for the most likable characters, Ridley Scott does a pleasant job as providing them with a heart and humanity rather than savage criminals, and successfully maps a compelling character-driven plot up to it's shocking finale. Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis are both give endearing performances in their roles as does Harvey Keital as the Detective who hunts them down on their odyssey. Michael Madsen and Christopher McDonald are not bad, but not given a whole lot work with due to their limited screen time. One of the biggest surprises though, is the young and handsome Brad Pitt as the young heartthrob who acquired the attention of Thelma, and like most of his roles; he gets the job done.Thelma & Louise is a smart, outstanding work by visionary director Ridley Scott, with mesmerizing performances, an awe-inspiring direction driven by Scott's ingenuity, and an overall successful ability to tackle on thought-provoking subject matter. While the film does evoke a cynical atmosphere and shock value that probably won't be everyone's cup of tea, it's still incredibly entertaining.

When last Friday my girlfriend suggested watching "Thelma & Louise" together, I started sweating. I had been avoiding this film for a long time, mostly because of the feminist brouhaha that surrounds it. Yes, I had taken for granted that the film was a feminist manifesto, that it was about women empowerment and all the sort - just google "Thelma & Louise" and discover by yourself what I'm intending to say.But the fact is that "Thelma & Louise" is almost everything, but definitely NOT a feminist film. The main characters are two dumb persons who are not able to make sensible decisions. With a little effort the screenplay could be turned into a comedy, as the trailer suggested it was, but then the main characters should be men. The audience would not laugh at two stupid women doing stupid things and acting with rage and violence. Women are supposed to be smart and sensible; men are stupid, rough and impulsive.Under my opinion, "Thelma & Louise" stands for "equality", in a broad and authentic sense. Never ever before this film was made, two women were depicted as dumb bastards, as men often are. Of course, there had been silly housewives in the movies, and mischievous heroines too. But for the very first time two women could be treated just as two cheap cowboys or two disgraced delinquents.What went wrong, then? How is it that two dumb housewives became two champions for a whole generation of feminists? Let's go a little further.Once stated that Thelma and Louise wouldn't be Tom and Lou, there was only one possibility left: the two women were entitled to be victims. So, almost by definition, all the male characters became villains. Here is where the feminist brouhaha started. And it all grew like a huge snowball.Somehow, the screenplay had the chance of being chosen by a great director as Ridley Scott (by the way, the Coens or Tarantino would be my best choice for a remake). Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis are simply magnificent in their characters. The film, beautifully shot, became a great success. And yes, the author of the screenplay got her Oscar. Her career seems to end here. Have you ever heard about (let me google it again) Callie Khouri? Nor did I, until I was interested in this film. Since then, she has written a lot... about "Thelma & Louise", her great (and unique) success. It seems that Ms. Khouri has had time enough to think and re- think about her screenplay and about the reactions surrounding it. The feminist message (intended or not) seemed to work, at least on the surface. Let's feed the beast!SPOILERS AHEAD!Two friends, Thelma and Louise, set out in a convertible for a short vacation. Thelma is married to a man who treats her like a child. Thorough the film we shall discover that Thelma behaves indeed like a child and is unable to take care of herself in the way an adult would. For instance, she takes his husband's gun despite she doesn't know how to use it, so she lends it to Louise, believing that she will protect them both. Louise is older and works as a waitress. We are induced to think that she is the smart one, but eventually we'll discover that she is as dumb as the other woman.When they stop for a drink in a roadhouse, Thelma dances with a guy they've just met. They both get drunk and go out to the parking lot. Thelma seems not to be aware that he intends to have sex with her. When she refuses, he slaps her and attempts to rape her. Fortunately, Thelma appears with her gun and scares him. The drunk man stops, but as the two women go away he insults them. Unfortunately now, Louise loses her temper and shots him to death. Twice. The murderer decides to fly away from the police and Thelma follows her. Eventually we discover that she finds it exciting and behaves childish in order to improve the "adventure". When Louise lies to her boyfriend and manages to convince him to risk his life to help her (he is a convict under parole and shouldn't be caught helping an outlaw), Thelma leaves a stranger alone with Louise's life savings in her motel room. Even when the man steals the money Thelma doesn't realize she's done wrong. Instead of leaving Thelma (the cause of all her trouble), Louise lets her "take care of the situation", which means robbing a convenience store in the first place. It seems Thelma takes her chance to become a criminal, too.They continue acting in the most stupid way. Instead of surrendering to the police while they are not still charged with murder, they keep flying away in the very same car. Though they intend to go to Mexico, incredibly they avoid Texas (we learn that something bad happened to Louise somewhere in Texas, but it would be advisable to avoid just the town when it happened, not the whole State). They keep overreacting with violence; instead of throwing the accusing gun away, they keep using it. They lock a policeman in a car trunk in the middle of the desert and make a truck explode just because the driver insulted them (twice; the first time as they casually passed him, the second time when they sought for it). Well, it's not the best way to hide from the police.In the end, rather than be captured by the police and face their responsibilities, they decide to drive off the Grand Canyon. We assume that they intend to commit suicide, but as it is Thelma who suggests to "keep going", perhaps she believes that the car can fly. Unfortunately the film ends here and we'll never know if the two women managed to escape. Finis.

"Thelma and Louise" is all and none of the things as which it has been described. It is about the friendship between two women, about female independence and male sexism, but it is neither a simple "chick flick" nor a monument to feminism (although I have to admit that watching it can have an almost therapeutic effect when you've just about "had it" again with the male slightly-less-than-half of society). Most of the men that Thelma and Louise encounter are two-dimensional cartoon characters, but "Reservoir Dogs" and perpetual tough guys Harvey Keitel and Michael Madsen (of all people) are cast against stereotype. The movie also features some absolutely stunning pictures of the Southwestern scenery and mostly takes place on the road, but it is not just a "road movie" (feminist or otherwise). More than anything, this is a movie about the things that shape the way we are, and about the consequences of our actions. Had Thelma learned to use her brain before and not after their encounter with Harlan the rapist, she would have seen him for what he was and avoided him from the start. Had Louise not been raped herself, she would probably not have shot Harlan at being provoked by him, after the self-defense situation was already over. Impulse? Fate? Justifiable homicide? Hardly. Thoroughly understandable? Absolutely, at least from a woman's point of view.But above all else, it's a movie about two humans getting caught up in a maddening spiral of events that have taken on a life of their own - a perfect parable for what's happening all over the world, day in and day out. You set something in motion and from that moment on it's beyond your control. Thelma and Louise's only "triumph" is their acknowledgment that they have done this to themselves. They don't say so of course; but their final action says it for them. The plot could've also been one dimensional and uninteresting, but writer Callie Khouri again made of sparkle with inventive sequences, a solid mix of action, laughter and drama, and crackling dialogue. And the direction by cinematic director Ridley Scott is audacious. The last sequence is one of the most beautiful images in cinema, and it brought a bit of a tear to my eye. Whilst there are some laughs along the way to endure (such as the pair blowing up a foul-mouthed van drivers vehicle up), Thelma And Louise stands as a compelling and riveting drama.Overall rating: 8 out of 10.