Thelma & Louise: A Road Trip Gone Wild

Movie: Thelma & Louise

Director: Ridley Scott

Rating: **** 

Ridley Scott’s ‘Thelma & Louise’ redefines the meaning of freedom of women in a male dominated world in the most astonishing yet disturbing way one could possibly imagine. For scatterbrained Thelma and affectionate Louise, freedom is merely an expression but not an experience they can talk about until they fled their mundane old lives and made every minute count on a road trip. We remember road trips for bizarre psychotic killings, mysterious disappearances but this time there’s a difference – there are no killers out there but two beautiful, intelligent women who’ve finally decided to take control of their lives.

Thelma and Louise, best girlfriends in thick and thin set off on a road trip leaving behind their not-so-interesting lives. They stop at a diner to loosen up where they meet Harlan, with whom tipsy Thelma goes little overboard. Harlan attempts to rape Thelma in the parking lot but Louise comes to the rescue and shoots Harlan in cold blood. They take off in their thunderbird ’66 to Mexico but what happens in between leads to an unexpected climax which duly deserves to be watched.

This film fittingly emphasizes on the struggle, pain and insecurity of women in a world where she’s only viewed as pleasure generating or house cleaning machine. Thelma and Louise are not characters but personification of the type of women who yearn to change their lives but are unable to do so. And when they finally decide to take control of their lives, things literally slip right between their fingers.

Scott paints an imaginary life through the eyes of Thelma and Louise, of fast cars, none to be answerable lifestyle – no husband or boyfriend and life’s savings that will present them a life in Mexico. And another interesting aspect of the film is, if you keenly observe, all men are portrayed in roles you abhor wholeheartedly barring Harvey Keitel. This is very intelligently done in an effort to show from what kind of world Thelma and Louise were running away. At no point in the film were women portrayed as the weaker sex or men as the strongest. Scott’s intention was clear and rock solid – men and women share equal status however as per the film the former always want to supersede over the latter.

Scott’s shift from temperamental action flicks such as ‘Aliens’, ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘Black Rain’, not only makes ‘Thelma and Louise’ a gripping film but gives audience the taste of some of his hidden potential.  Screenplay by debutant Callie Khouri was sparkling, inspiring and mournful. Music by Hans Zimmer brings forth the true spirit of the American country score and syncs brilliantly with some glorious cinematography by Adrian Biddle, who captures the galvanizing view of Grand Canyon like nobody else before.

Scott’s choice of characters truly shows his experience and knack for picking the right people for the right kind of role. The duo – Susan and Geena bring together a mixture of things that make the story compelling to watch. For example; Geena’s innocence adds humor and sympathy to the film while Susan’s mysterious flashback in Texas, intelligence and bravery adds life to the film. Brad’s role brings much needed distraction from the miseries of Thelma and Louise and Michael Madsen adds a touch of Elvis like aura to the film.

In essence; ‘Thelma & Louise’ is a look at the discerning feminist side of the world we all discard.