Thelma & Louise
Professor Marita Sturken
Bloomsbury Academic
9780851708096
0-85170-809-9
Thelma and Louise (1991) sparked a remarkable public discussion about feminism, violence, and the representation of women in cinema. Subject to vilification in the press for its apparent justification of armed robbery and manslaughter, it was a huge hit with audiences composed largely but not exclusively of women who cheered the fugitive central characters played by Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis. Marita Sturken examines the production and reception of 'Thelma and Louise 'and goes on to analyze its rich account of gender politics, landscape, and gun culture. This is a compelling study of a landmark in recent American cinema.