I knew the basic story and ending of "Thelma & Louise" and because of that, I hadn't bothered seeing it until tonight. I am glad I finally got around to seeing it, as the writing (mostly) and acting and direction were all top-notch...and the filming locations in Utah (although the film supposedly is set in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas).

When the story begins Thelma (Gena Davis) is about to go on a little vacation with her friend Louise (Susan Sarandon). However, Thelma's husband is a real jerk and she's afraid to tell him and so she just disappears. At first, the pair are just two ladies out on a little girls trip. But when a piece of garbage tries to rape Thelma, the pair make some BAD choices. Louise justifiably shoots him...but instead of going to the police, they run. At first, they STILL could possibly turn themselves in an beat the rap. But when Thelma commits an armed robbery, suddenly the pair have crossed over the edge...and subsequent crimes are a bit easier to commit. Of course, they can't get away with it forever.

The acting is just amazing. I also appreciate how things are NOT black & white. While a lot of men are pigs in the film, not all are and a few are decent. I was REALLY surprised by Harvey Keitel's character, as with his history, you'd expect him to be the worst sort of pig...but he plays an amazingly decent and likable cop. My only complaint about the characters is that they made Thelma a bit too stupid...though she does fortunately learn! Overall, an exciting film...one that has a lot to say and is among the best movies of the year...and I actually preferred it to the big winner at the Oscars that year.

I like Ridley Scott and I like his films. While not his very best, I do think it is up there with his best. It is never less than hugely entertaining, with a sparkling script, an arresting story, great direction from Scott and lovely cinematography and scenery. Also Hans Zimmer's score, while not his best, is quite nice and somewhat different to what I have come to expect from him. The cast are wonderful, Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon are brilliant leads, and Harvey Keitel is solid. It was also nice to see a young Brad Pitt. I know Thelma and Louise caused controversy at the time with the issue of the sight of women with guns, but that makes no difference to me. All that matters is that the movie entertained me and it did that superbly. 10/10 Bethany Cox

A pair of bored thirty something friends decide on a girl's weekend and in that time become the most wanted women in America. Not that bedding either Susan Sarandon or Geena Davis hasn't got its delightful aspects, but that's not the kind of wanted I'm talking about.

The film is shot in some of the reddest part of red state America where gender roles and rules are laid down real specific and you don't cross them. Just these two women going out without husband or significant other partner of the opposite sex means they're loose and available.

So when alpha male Timothy Carhart decides after some line dancing at a county honky-tonk that Geena's hot to trot, he decides to do something about it in the parking lot. And if she resists he certainly knows how to bring her in line. But when Sarandon pulls a gun on him he backs down very reluctantly. In fact Carhart's defiant attitude and assumed male superiority snaps something in Sarandon and she blows him away on general principles. After that they're on the run.

Sarandon and Davis work beautifully together in Thelma&Louise. Close friends before the homicide takes place, they learn a lot about each other on the journey. They air out finally the way they feel women have been treated in their part of the country. Though I wouldn't recommend women act out quite the way they do, the film remains a great feminist manifesto.

Harvey Keitel does a fine job as a caring police officer who wants to bring them in with no problems and before they run up a real criminal record. Christopher McDonald and Michael Madsen are the men in their lives, both in their different ways clueless as to what is going on inside Thelma&Louise. Just the fact they wanted a girl's vacation should have lit up some bulb.

McDonald, Madsen are just two of the men these two get to degrade and humiliate on their merry race with destiny. One however that gets the better of them is Brad Pitt in his breakthrough role as a young cowboy they find hitchhiking and give a lift to. Despite their new found feminism, Sarandon and Davis are still quite vulnerable in some areas, as are we all.

Callie Khouri won an Oscar for Best Screenplay written directly for the screen. Thelma&Louise got five other nominations including for both Sarandon and Davis for Best Actress. They split the balloting as is what usually happens and Jodie Foster took her second Oscar home for Silence Of The Lambs.

Thelma&Louise is destined to be a classic and a feminist manifesto for generations.