Keep Going: Thelma & Louise (US, 1991)

Thelma & Louise (US 1991). R: Ridley Scott, B: Callie Khouri, M: Hans Zimmer; D: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel, Brad Pitt. Two girlfriends set out for a fishing weekend in a Ford Thunderbird convertible. When a man tries to rape Thelma (Geena Davis), Louise (Susan Sarandon) shoots him, and they flee towards Mexico. On the run, they are robbed and hold up a shop, and a manhunt is on for them. The ending is familiar: Two glorious halunks fly over the Grand Canyon. Thelma & Louise was a breakthrough. For the first time, two women went on a road trip without immediately committing themselves to men again; they pioneered being the lusty outlaws, while men, relegated to supporting roles, represented the static element, and thus, Thelma & Louise was the first a popular film questioning with its powerfully drawn buddy characters the role stereotypes long criticised by feminist film criticism. The film was also a breakthrough in the ivory tower of psychoanalysis: suddenly films on female development were mainstream topics. The film had a clearly polarising effect on audiences and critics alike. It stages fantasies of desire and fear, motherhood and adolescence, sexuality and friendship.