THELMA & LOUISE (1991) C widescreen 128m dir: Ridley Scott

w/Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Christopher McDonald, Stephen Tobolowsky, Brad Pitt, Timothy Carhart, Lucinda Jenney, Jason Beghe

From The Movie Guide: "THELMA & LOUISE is a rowdy, feminist road movie in which a pair of gutsy, independent women discover the strength of sisterhood during a hell-raising, joy-riding escape from the laws of men. One of the most hotly debated films of 1991, it features outstanding performances from stars Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon.

"Louise (Sarandon) is a strong-willed waitress who convinces her friend Thelma (Davis), a timid housewife, to join her on a weekend camping trip. Against the wishes of Darryl (Christopher McDonald), her possessive, sexist husband, Thelma sneaks away for the outing. Along the way the pair let loose at a country bar, drinking and dancing; Thelma flirts mildly with a handsome but abusive man, Harlan (Timothy Carhart). Harlan attempts to rape Thelma in the parking lot and is discovered by Louise, who shoots and kills him. The women decide that the police are not likely to believe their version of events, so they flee in a panic. ...

"Critical reaction to THELMA & LOUISE indicated that many male viewers felt threatened by these pistol-packing female outlaws, but complaints about the movie's chauvinist treatment of men are largely unjustified. Gender warfare aside, THELMA & LOUISE is a fun, breezy roadtrip across the Western landscape. In the natural grandeur of this setting, director Scott abandons his trademark high-tech atmospherics in favor of a bright, glossy photographic style that makes picture postcards of the Route 66 backdrop. Yet actresses Davis and Sarandon manage to upstage even Monument Valley. Together they forge a believable and appealing bond that carries the film through some of its improbable plot twists. Even the daring finish ... works, thanks to the vividness of Davis's and Sarandon's portrayals. It all adds up to a highly enjoyable ride."

THELMA & LOUISE won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay (Callie Khouri). Both Davis and Sarandon were nominated for Best Actress, and the film was also nominated for Best Director, Cinematography (Adrian Biddle), and Editing (Thom Noble).