[10]

“You get what you settle for.” It’s a potent little theme that asks all of us to take stock of our lives. It probably helps that I saw Thelma & Louise at a time when, like the title characters, I was searching for escape and freedom, determined to become my own person and follow what I knew with all my heart was my calling in life. But after many additional viewings, I know my personal connection to the film is just icing on the cake. If there’s such a thing as a recipe for success, this is surely it. First and foremost, you have the combustible combination of a visionary director and a character-driven screenplay. Callie Khouri’s script gives itself completely to the characters — something all screenwriters aspire to do, but can seldom achieve.

The story centers around its two title characters, whose relaxing weekend retreat turns into a life-changing nightmare after Thelma is sexually assaulted at a country western bar. Louise, suffering from her own post-traumatic stress, impulsively kills the assailant and the two flee the scene and head for Mexico, ready to put their old lives behind them. But their journey is thwarted by a police investigator (Harvey Keitel) and a handsome hitchhiking scoundrel (Brad Pitt). The two women suddenly find themselves backed into a corner, with only one way left to go — the way of legends. It’s a marvelous confection of comedy, drama, excitement, and inspiration. The daring ending and alleged misandry (which is poppycock) sparked a debate that raged throughout 1991, catching newspaper headlines and magazine covers, becoming the fodder of many a college essay (of which I wrote at least 2). Thelma & Louise is either adored or despised, but only a powerful film can elicit those passions.

Ridley Scott takes Khouri’s material and gives it plenty of room to breathe within his meticulously designed frames (or ‘the proscenium’ as he calls it). He’s aided by Adrian Biddle’s vibrant cinematography and Hans Zimmer’s evocative score. The cast is phenomenal. Stars Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis bring their A-game to roles that call for remarkable transformations. Brad Pitt’s performance as the hitchhiker proved to be his star-making turn, Michael Madsen is endearing as Sarandon’s boyfriend, and Christopher McDonald is hilarious as Thelma’s unappreciative oaf of a husband.

Academy Award: Best Original Screenplay

Oscar Nominations: Best Director, Cinematography, Film Editing, Actress (Sarandon), Actress (Davis)