Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis will grace Roy Thomson Hall’s stage tomorrow night to mark the 20th anniversary of the iconic feminist film Thelma & Louise. For those who aren’t familiar with the movie (and for those who are) we break down what makes this film so iconic and, well, awesome.
1. It flipped the script on the female “buddy” picture – When was the last time you watched a movie that featured two kickass women on a crime spree, kicking butts and taking names? Yeah, we can’t think of one before (or after) Thelma & Louise either. Callie Khouri’s Oscar-winning script turned the tables on what liberated female characters stood for, and this time, it didn’t mean getting the guy in the end.
2. It’s got a badass director – Ridley Scott was known as a wunderkind director for such action-packed-machismo flicks as Alien and Blade Runner. Having him at the helm ensured that the film’s scope and feel would be epic and broad rather than small and indie, which is usually the traditional route for a movie with two female leads. He went for universal reach, appealing to both female and male audience members.
3. It features Brad Pitt’s abs – Okay, sure, Pitt’s bedroom scene is a bit of gratuitous eye-candy, but the genius of Pitt’s character, J.D., is that it’s the sort of role that is usually reserved for a chick: he’s hot and he’s trouble. He’s what transforms Thelma from ‘obedient housewife’ to ‘assertive criminal,’ which pretty much seals their fate. Also, this was Pitt’s breakout film, so without it, there’s a good chance we wouldn’t have Brangelina (which is something everyone’s really grateful for, right?).
4. It’s got a killer ending – Even those who haven’t seen the movie are probably familiar with its ending, and that’s what makes it such a critical component to the movie’s success. The fact that it’s not a neat-and-tidy, happy ending makes it great. Traditionally, characters like Thelma and Louise would have done the “right thing” and turned themselves in, but then of course, this isn’t supposed to be a traditional movie.
5. It has an awesome message – One of the best lines in the movie is when Louise says to Thelma, “You get what you settle for.” This proverb could be used towards most things in life, but given the context of the film, we sure hope it means that awesome strong-female-driven movies will continue to fight the odds.
Thelma & Louise: The 20th Anniversary Homecoming, Roy Thomson Hall, June 7