Thelma & Louise (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
2 southern women wreak havoc on the road in 'Thelma & Louise' (directed by Ridley Scott). Thelma (Geena Davis) is a bored housewife with a nasty husband, & Louise (Susan Sarandon) is a hardworking fast-food waitress with a shady boyfriend. They can't stand the positions they're in (in general, and AS women). Agitated, the 2 set out on a fishing trip. But that quickly turns into an empowering (though, dangerous) cross country journey. T&L run into many men along their way - none of 'em any good. And with each passing day, each man, each obstacle ... tension btwn. the 2 of them grows.
See, when their trip began, Louise was the Alpha personality; the one in charge. Thelma was the one who was a flibbertigibbet. But that all changed after Thelma got them in trouble early on in the trip when she requested they stop at a roadside bar. A drunken dance floor altercation turned ugly, they peel out in a '66 Thunderbird, & from there on out - the 2 of them were on the run. Drama, comedy, tragedy, & personal redemption ensue … but at what cost?
'Thelma & Louise' is a hypnotic film to watch. On the technical front, the exterior cinematography (desert highways) is awesome to look at. And for as glorious as it all looks, so too is it ominous. Thelma & Louise are vivid, iconic characters that will be referenced for decades to come. The plot - though contrived, at times - is exciting & involving. There are moments of poignant drama. There are moments where you'll be bent over from laughter. But NOTHING can prepare you for the film's intense final minutes. In fact, you'll probably be sitting in your seat in a daze for moments afterwards.
Probably the biggest thing you can say about this movie, however, is the fact that its road trip desperadoes happen to be women. In a lot of ways, it's seen as THE feminist film of the 90's. Geena Davis & Susan Sarandon are equally superb. It doesn't hurt that they're nice to look at. But it's their verve, their passion, & their unpredictability which keeps us watching like hawks. I also dug the supporting turns by an impressive male cast. Christopher McDonald is distinctly vile as Thelma's hubby. Harvey Keitel impresses as a sensitive cop. And Brad Pitt makes an eye-opening debut as Thelma's cheeky on-the-road suitor.
You know, the film is a little long. Some of T&L's actions are a bit nutty (credulity-straining). And the controversial ending may not sit well with some viewers. But overall, I can't recommend 'Thelma & Louise' high enough. I just really appreciated this alternately funny & heartbreaking mythical story about 2 lonely women who try to keep their head above water as they travel across America. Their crime-ridden adventures have a fatalist touch in the end, but it's fascinating to watch the kind of life-affirming friendship & sustenance that each woman attains - just by being each other's friends.
See, when their trip began, Louise was the Alpha personality; the one in charge. Thelma was the one who was a flibbertigibbet. But that all changed after Thelma got them in trouble early on in the trip when she requested they stop at a roadside bar. A drunken dance floor altercation turned ugly, they peel out in a '66 Thunderbird, & from there on out - the 2 of them were on the run. Drama, comedy, tragedy, & personal redemption ensue … but at what cost?
'Thelma & Louise' is a hypnotic film to watch. On the technical front, the exterior cinematography (desert highways) is awesome to look at. And for as glorious as it all looks, so too is it ominous. Thelma & Louise are vivid, iconic characters that will be referenced for decades to come. The plot - though contrived, at times - is exciting & involving. There are moments of poignant drama. There are moments where you'll be bent over from laughter. But NOTHING can prepare you for the film's intense final minutes. In fact, you'll probably be sitting in your seat in a daze for moments afterwards.
Probably the biggest thing you can say about this movie, however, is the fact that its road trip desperadoes happen to be women. In a lot of ways, it's seen as THE feminist film of the 90's. Geena Davis & Susan Sarandon are equally superb. It doesn't hurt that they're nice to look at. But it's their verve, their passion, & their unpredictability which keeps us watching like hawks. I also dug the supporting turns by an impressive male cast. Christopher McDonald is distinctly vile as Thelma's hubby. Harvey Keitel impresses as a sensitive cop. And Brad Pitt makes an eye-opening debut as Thelma's cheeky on-the-road suitor.
You know, the film is a little long. Some of T&L's actions are a bit nutty (credulity-straining). And the controversial ending may not sit well with some viewers. But overall, I can't recommend 'Thelma & Louise' high enough. I just really appreciated this alternately funny & heartbreaking mythical story about 2 lonely women who try to keep their head above water as they travel across America. Their crime-ridden adventures have a fatalist touch in the end, but it's fascinating to watch the kind of life-affirming friendship & sustenance that each woman attains - just by being each other's friends.