Class work Thelma and Louise

The two main characters, played by Geena Davis (Thelma) and Susan Sarandon (Louise), start the movie looking very feminine with their hair done, wearing makeup and in Thelma’s case wearing a long white dress. As the movie progressed they start to look less feminine and by the end of the movie are shown in shorts and caps looking more like truckers. The women themselves are shown to be flawed and complex but also very strong; Thelma is a suffering housewife to someone who doesn’t really care and Louise is a tough no nonsense waitress with trust issues.

The film clearly shows a realistic representation of men and ways women experience men in the world for example the sexist pig truck driver, who the pair get revenge on for his actions towards the end of the film but also the kind and caring men. This film shows a gender reverse in the role of the sex icon, the sex icon in this film is played by very young Brad Pitt and his appeal (in the form of his six pack) is the opposite of men watching films which show women with big boobs. As well, the film shows a representation on relationships where Thelma was expected to ask her husband for permission to go on the road trip instead of leaving his dinner in the microwave with a note.

Some people believe that the suicide at the end showed the women to be less strong as they were taking the ‘easy route’ however if they had been arrested they would’ve spent most if not all of their life in prison for being fugitives, during which they would be harassed and objectified, suicide was a way for them to free and the route they took did not harm others.