Thelma & Louise (1991)

Two best friends set out on an adventure, but it soon turns around to a terrifying escape from being hunted by the police, as these two girls escape for the crimes they committed.

Director:

Ridley Scott

Writer:

Callie Khouri

Stars:

Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel

Won 1 Oscar. Another 22 wins & 48 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Susan Sarandon	...	Louise
Geena Davis	...	Thelma
Harvey Keitel	...	Hal
Michael Madsen	...	Jimmy
Christopher McDonald	...	Darryl
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Max
Brad Pitt	...	J.D.
Timothy Carhart	...	Harlan
Lucinda Jenney	...	Lena, the Waitress
Jason Beghe	...	State Trooper
Sonny Carl Davis	...	Albert
Shelly Desai	...	East Indian Motel Clerk (as Shelly De Sai)
Ken Swofford	...	Major
Carol Mansell	...	Waitress
Stephen Polk	...	Surveillance Man

Storyline

Louise is working in a diner as a waitress and has some problems with her boyfriend Jimmy, who, as a musician, is always on the road. Thelma is married to Darryl who likes his wife to stay quiet in the kitchen so that he can watch football on TV. One day they decide to break out of their normal life and jump in the car and hit the road. Their journey, however, turns into a flight when Louise kills a man who threatens to rape Thelma. They decide to go to Mexico, but soon they are hunted by American police.

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Plot Keywords:

road movie | female bonding | waitress | female protagonist | friendship | 

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Taglines:

Somebody said get a life... so they did.

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Genres:

Adventure | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language, and for some violence and sensuality

Details

Country:

USA UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 May 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Thelma and Louise

Filming Locations:

Derby Acres, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$16,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,101,297, 27 May 1991

Gross USA:

$45,360,915

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$45,360,915

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pathé Entertainment, Percy Main, Star Partners III Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Callie Khouri wrote her early drafts longhand at home, and then periodically transcribed the pages on a Kaypro computer in her workplace at night.

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Goofs

When Louise was talking on the phone with someone in the motel after the murder, she says that she is in Arkansas. The motel is in the middle of the desert, and Arkansas does not have any deserts.

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Quotes

Thelma: [shouting wildly as she runs back to the car] Driiive, Louise! Drive! Drive the car! Come on. Go! Go! Go go go go go!
Louise: What happened?
[Thelma holds up money]
Louise: You robbed the store? You robbed the goddamn store?
Thelma: Well, we needed the money.
Louise: Oh!
Thelma: It's not like I killed anybody, for God's sake!
Louise: Thelma!
Thelma: I'm sorry, we needed the money, now we have it.
Louise: Oh, shit! Oh, shit! Oh, shit, Thelma!
[...]

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Connections

Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 Strong Female Leads in Movies (2016)

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Soundtracks

Little Honey
Written by John Doe & Dave Alvin (as David Alvin)
Performed by Kelly Willis
Produced by Tony Brown
Courtesy of MCA Records

User Reviews

Feminist road classic carries a full tank of gas.

THELMA & LOUISE has to be regarded as a pure 90s classic that brought up a considerable amount of risk in creating a first-person feminist formula into a mainstream movie, which is often missing. It pulls off fantastically true in form, with the exceptional Southern character talents of the two lady fugitives on the run, Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, who may stand out as memorable on the silver screen. Let's not forget that silly truck driver they pass quite often, and of course, cowboy Brad Pitt as a young student. While not needed to be fully reliant on action substances like gunshooting, there is good chemistry within its grasp. Every single minute should not be wasteful, as plenty of refreshing outbursts of enjoyment outweighs the familiar old plot of evading the police. The ending is a definite eye catcher, and also the riskiest ever filmed! Beware of this rip-off called GOOD GIRLS DON'T, another poor B-movie with no redeeming quality. Satisfyingly original, and highly recommended!