9. Thelma and Louise
Thelma and Louise is a classic road movie about two women who are trying to win back their independence. The film stars Susan Sarandon as Louise and Gena Davis as Thelma. Their plight led to six Academy Award nominations. Our female heroines are close friends who hit the road for a fishing trip. They both hope to find some peace at their friend's cabin. Thelma wants some time out from her dreary marriage and Louise wants to clear her head to figure out her own relationship.
Where are they going? Their straightforward journey turns into a flight from the law when Louise shoots a man after he attempts to rape Thelma in a parking lot. Thelma wants to go to the police so they can tell their side of the story but Louise is not convinced. Everyone in the bar saw her bumping and grinding against the brute, they will never believe her. In Louises 1966 Thunderbird convertible they zoom ahead from Arkansas through Oklahoma and Colorado to Arizona aiming for Mexico. As they drive onwards the audience recognises staple symbols of the American West: abandoned shacks, grizzly men on porches, jukeboxes in diners and rusty vending machines. Things seem to go according to plan, they have enough money thanks to Louise's boyfriend until the beautiful blond redneck played by Brad Pitt arrives. After a steamy affair with Thelma he steals their money. You would think at this point Louise would ditch her careless pal but this film, above all else, is about friendship. Thelma is forgiven and our heroines move forward through the desert dust. Eventually our heroines come to the end of the road, in both a literal and symbolic sense. They are trapped in between the police and a deathly canyon drop there is no escape. Louise turns to Thelma and they both exchange a look; they decide they are not ready to give up their freedom and in an ending that will remain with its viewers for a long time they drive straight over the edge and plunge to their deaths. After having experienced what it is like to talk in their own voices, think for themselves and live independently they choose not to relinquish that freedom.