Thelma and Louise is perhaps one of the most powerful films we’ve watched so far. The evolution and strength of the characters by the end is really beautiful and the ending is close to perfect. It’s no wonder this film has become so iconic with the feminist wave.
Thelma and Louise addresses many different things, but one of the most important issues it addresses is sexual violence against women. Though there is much more awareness nowadays, unfortunately this is an issue we still face today. The saddest moment is when Thelma is urging Louise to drive to the police to explain the situation and she responds by saying no one would believe them because “we don’t live in that kind of world.” Megan describes that line as the most heartbreaking in the entire film. It’s so sad that this is true, but that’s probably why it was put in the film. They wanted to address this issue and show that it’s not okay and that we need to fight back.
The parking lot scene was perhaps the most unnerving scene in the movie, but it was very necessary. The strength and vulnerability shown between the actors and characters in this scene was palpable. Seeing Thelma taken advantage of was completely unnerving. Not only is it completely disrespectful, but she was drunk and clearly didn’t have her wits fully about her. It was terrifying to watch. When Louise showed up, we breathed a sigh of relief. She was clearly scared, but her strength was inspiring and said a lot about her as a character.
From this scene on, Thelma and Louise are on the run. They are fugitives and going to Mexico.
Throughout their road trip, we witness the personal growth and development of both women. Louise starts out more mature and strong. We get to see her soften and her vulnerability comes out. She tries hard to put on a brave face, but sometimes it’s hard to keep yourself together.
One of the great things about Louise is when her vulnerability starts to show she becomes stronger. It’s commonly thought that vulnerability is weakness, and it’s easy to see how a woman like Louise would buy into that. However, the more her “weakness” shows through, the more relatable she is. When she saves Thelma from Harlan, the emotion in that moment is very raw and real. Although nothing has been said up to that point, as soon as she reprimands him it’s clear this is an issue very close to her. This is also a nod to Susan Sarandon for being able to carry such heavy baggage in a character while not letting it consume the portrayal.
With Thelma, we see her go from much more naive and vulnerable to much more independent and confident. She is coming from a very controlling marriage which she got into when she was very young. She’s never really seen much of the world and really needs some guidance. By the end of the movie, she’s the first one to pull the trigger when necessary. She’s quite literally the one who decides to make the jump. She goes from being barely able to touch a gun, to shooting it like a professional.
With Thelma, we see her go from much more naive and vulnerable to much more independent and confident. She is coming from a very controlling marriage which she got into when she was very young. She’s never really seen much of the world and really needs some guidance. By the end of the movie, she’s the first one to pull the trigger when necessary. She’s quite literally the one who decides to make the jump. She goes from being barely able to touch a gun, to shooting it like a professional.
Both of their character growth is clearly seen throughout and it is clear that the circumstance, as well as the supporting characters, really helped to make their growth and development plausible. Take JD for example, he is instrumental in Thelma’s transformation.
Thelma is the naive one of the pair, but after JD steals their money, it’s as if a switch goes off and she suddenly is at a new level of understanding. Her eyes have opened to the realities of the world. He also inspired her to take action when they needed to get back the money they’d lost.
Another important aspect to JD is that he is well mannered and respectful towards Thelma. The only other men she was involved with intimately have been rude and sloppy. Her husband is controlling and unconcerned with Thelma. She had a horrible experience with Harlan, who had no respect for her. Although JD is a thief he gives her the most positive experience she’s ever had with a man.
Jimmy is the other main male character in this movie. He is Louise’s long term boyfriend who proposes to her midway through the movie. He is important because he helps Louise let down her guard. Louise isn’t dependent on him, and she ends up rejecting his offer because she’s on the run and it’s not the right timing. He’s willing to help her with whatever she needs and doesn’t hold anything against her. They have a strong, stable relationship which contrasts to Thelma’s toxic marriage.
Jimmy is the other main male character in this movie. He is Louise’s long term boyfriend who proposes to her midway through the movie. He is important because he helps Louise let down her guard. Louise isn’t dependent on him, and she ends up rejecting his offer because she’s on the run and it’s not the right timing. He’s willing to help her with whatever she needs and doesn’t hold anything against her. They have a strong, stable relationship which contrasts to Thelma’s toxic marriage.
A criticism of the movie has been that it is “man-hating.” Many of the men are bad and not likable. However, we disagree with this accusation. The Detective, JD, and Jimmy are portrayed well. The Detective tries to help the girls, JD is charming and courteous, and Jimmy stands by them. Of course their are men who are depicted not as well such as Harlan and Darryl. Both Harlan and Darryl are disrespectful, and you’re not supposed to sympathize with them. In an Entertainment Weekly review, the men in the film are described as the Enemy — and they leave the women with no choice but escape.” We disagree with this. Sure, Thelma is leaving her husband, but it’s because she deserves more and wants to go find that. And with the obscene trucker, they don’t end up running from him. They face him and take him down. They stand up for themselves against men who don’t treat the right. But this movie is not about the male characters. As the New York Times points out, there is something in this movie “as simple as it is powerful: the fact that the men in this story don't really matter.” This movie is about two women taking control of their lives, which is powerful.
In the time when Thelma and Louise came out, there was a lot momentum in the feminist movement. 1992 is known as the “Year of the Woman” due to the amount of women elected to congress and the strides being made in their career fields. The Atlantic brought up the point that “this movie wouldn’t be made today.” This article was written in 2011, but we think it holds true in 2015. There is still an active movement for equality, but there isn’t as much momentum around focusing on just women. We don’t see many movies with the impact of Thelma and Louise coming out today. “Today, movies about women end with a wedding.” This is a topic we have spoken about a lot recently in our posts. Thelma and Louise ends with the strength of their friendship and truly gaining the ultimate freedom on their terms. Even Bridesmaids, which can be praised for their strong female cast ends with a wedding. We would hope that in 2015 there would be more movies that end with less of a cliché and traditional happy ending.
Speaking of endings, Thelma and Louise’s ending is iconic. After being on the run and finally living their own lives, they couldn’t go back to how it used to be.
Speaking of endings, Thelma and Louise’s ending is iconic. After being on the run and finally living their own lives, they couldn’t go back to how it used to be.
The police have closed in on them leaving with few options to not get caught.
Instead of letting the police take them, they escape the situation on their own terms. They drive off the cliff together. Callie Khouri, the screenwriter, explained her thinking by saying, “After all they went through, I didn't want anybody to be able to touch them." If this one weekend was the only time they had to do things their way, then they were going to see it all the way through. So much had changed for them during this weekend that going back to their old lives would be impossible for them. We think this ending was a strong choice. It’s just dramatic enough, but it is also empowering. It was their lives, and they took a stand. It would have made the characters weaker to have them give into the police. If they had driven off into the sunset, it would not only have been unrealistic but also much less memorable.
Thelma and Louise is definitely a feminist film. We loved watching it and think that it’s the most empowering movie we’ve watched for this blog. We would highly recommend watching it if you haven’t done so already.
Sources Used
Gleiberman, Owen. "Thelma & Louise | EW.com." Entertainment Weekly's EW.com. N.p., 24 May 1991. Web. 02 June 2015.
Lipsitz, Raina. "'Thelma & Louise': The Last Great Film About Women." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 31 Aug. 2011. Web. 02 June 2015.
Maslin, Janet. "Thelma and Louise (1991)." The New York Times. The New York Times, 24 May 1991. Web. 2 June 2015.
Gleiberman, Owen. "Thelma & Louise | EW.com." Entertainment Weekly's EW.com. N.p., 24 May 1991. Web. 02 June 2015.
Lipsitz, Raina. "'Thelma & Louise': The Last Great Film About Women." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 31 Aug. 2011. Web. 02 June 2015.
Maslin, Janet. "Thelma and Louise (1991)." The New York Times. The New York Times, 24 May 1991. Web. 2 June 2015.