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 | female protagonist | waitress | female 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, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$45,361,000

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

The sequence where Darryl slips and falls over on the builder's supplies, as he is leaving for work, was unscripted, as Christopher McDonald genuinely lost his footing. Despite this, he remained in character, yelling at the workmen as he got into the car and drove away. As he states on the DVD commentary, Director Ridley Scott liked the result so much, he kept it in the film.

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Goofs

When J.D. comes up to the car to ask Thelma for a ride his sunglasses keep changing position. Sometimes they are in his hand and sometimes they are hanging from his shirt

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Quotes

Louise: Besides, what're we gonna say about the robbery? There's no excuse for that. There's no such thing as justifiable robbery.
Thelma: All right, Louise!
[sees a white cowboy hat in the backseat]
Thelma: Where'd you get this?
Louise: Stole it.

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Connections

Referenced in Doonby (2013)

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Soundtracks

Wild Night
Written by Van Morrison
Performed by Martha Reeves
Produced by Richard Perry
Courtesy of MCA Records

User Reviews

A Must-See

"Thelma and Louise" made a huge splash when it was released and has since become a part of the pop culture lexicon. In it, a mistreated housewife and harried waitress stumble into an out-of-control - but totally liberating - crime spree. As bold and relevant as ever, it remains a vastly entertaining must-see.

Callie Khouri's screenplay is a feeling, funny classic and director Ridley Scott lends this road movie epic scope, seeking out the beauty in open spaces.

Both leads - Geena Davis as Thelma and Susan Sarandon as Louise - give fine performances. Thelma and Louise become fully realized human beings who share a powerful and authentic friendship. Their transformation into two outlaws is also made entirely believable by the actresses.

And what about the men? Harvey Keitel is charming as the sympathetic lawman, Hal, and Michael Madsen's turn as Louise's boyfriend Jimmy is wonderfully nuanced. Brad Pitt also leaves a strong impression as the winsome blonde thief J.D. It's easy to see why this film made Pitt a star.

"Thelma and Louise" is a film of rare cultural resonance, to be sure. Yet while undoubtedly provocative, this movie is also alot of fun.