Thelma
and Louise was not a feminist film but it was a film that magnified the buried feelings
of woman. The characters exemplified freedom, female boning, an unsettling
spirit and female outlaws. Prior to Thelma and Louise these characteristics
have not been displayed on the screen. Within the eight clips cross cutting repeatedly
appeared intensifying the build-up of the ladies either great escape or great
take down. While cross cutting, each close up magnified facial expressions in efforts
to stress a serious tone.
The opening clip
of Thelma and Louise began with slow deep focus shots of agriculture, vast
areas of land that appeared deserted. Before the camera has the opportunity to
move the usage of sound chimes in with a faster pace perhaps helping the
audience transition to an upbeat scene. As the pace of the music increases so
does the movement of the cast. The second scene is in a diner with crowded
tables, noisy guest and rapid moving waitresses. The only way a camera can
truly capture the essence in the scene without losing direction would be to
participate in Mise en scene. Scott set the scene perfectly to a point of view
that is self sustaining and no need for the camera to move but allow the characters
to utilize all the space.
In comparison to
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Thelma and Louise had similar endings. In Both
films all four outlaws knew the odds of their survival. The choice to surrender
was shirt lived because w all know outlaws are fighters, this characteristic is
what gets them into these particular situations in the first place. Butch Cassidy’s
director chose a variation of close ups and tightly framed shots with long loose
frame shots. For instance, as both male outlaws kneeled on a cliff for cover
the camera remained in their face to capture all movement and emotions while deciding
to shot or jump. On the other hand, when the camera shots from a low angle to
reveal the Rangers setting up for good aim we see the Rangers in a distance
with plenty of space to choose for positioning. I guess we can say cross
cutting is mildly used in this scenario, especially when the two men float down
the river, the camera reflects once on the rangers and continue with the
constant flow of the river.
Thelma and Louise
concept is very similar yet unique in its own way. One major difference would be the mode of
transportation. The ladies seemed to turn a weekend trip into a voyage, the
idea of traveling further and further away from home expressed a great deal of
liberation. Most woman, especially woman depicted on film typically do not steer
away from the home or domestic responsibilities. The fact that these ladies are
free and on the road without an apron on show some of the many layered
personalities a woman can exhibit. Another slight difference in the ending of
Thelma and Louise versus butch Cassidy is the viewers do not get to see the
destiny of the female outlaws. Their leap of faith takes them over the cliff
but do not give a clear indication of their landings. This endings helps the
viewers understand that when you take a chance against constructed laws there
are endless possibilities. Butch Cassidy’s river exemplified the same meaning a
river is forever flowing and connecting.
Woman like Thelma
and Louise did not deserve a bullet aimed in the back of their heads as we saw
in one of the cross cutting scenes, the montage of targeted villains versus
small military revealed the strength female characters posses. Why? If woman
were just silly kitchen lab rats then why does it take a helicopter, a dozen
cop cars and guns cocked and loaded to bring in two angelic faces. It’s a pleasure
to have watched Thelma and Louise show the world woman have spunk, zest and
trigger finger too.
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