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'Thelma and Louise' actors and filmmakers recall backlash from white, heterosexual men
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Susan Sarandon, who played Louise, was taken aback by the criticism 'Thelma and Louise' received 30 years ago. (AFP/Alberto Pizzoli )
S
usan Sarandon, Geena Davis and Callie Khouri discussed Ridley Scott’s classic Thelma and Louise at a 30th anniversary drive-in screening event at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre on Friday.
During a pre-show question and answer session moderated by The Hollywood Reporter journalist Rebecca Keegan, the cast and the scriptwriter discussed the divisive reception of the film.
Khouri, for instance, was shocked by some responses to the movie. She said that with all the murders and mayhem portrayed in movies, male critics chose to focus on the portrayal of women killing a man. In the movie, Louise shoots Harlan Puckett (played by Timothy Carhart) after he attempts to rape Thelma and insults Louise.
Khouri never forgot that U.S. News & World Report journalist John Leo called the film neofacist. “You’ve really got to have your tighties in a wad to call this movie neofascist after all the bullshit that women have had to put up with in every movie that’s ever been made.”
Susan Sarandon, who played Louise, was also surprised by the negative commentary on the murder scene. “I completely underestimated that we were backing into territory held by white heterosexual males. They got offended and accused us of glorifying murder and suicide and all kinds of things," Sarandon said.
Despite negative reviews from some male critics, the film was also praised as an uncompromising validation of women's experiences. Davis said the film's response influenced the way she chose roles throughout her career. She always made sure that she would feel good about having chosen the character. “I turned down parts based on that thinking for sure,” Davis said.
The classic film also made her realize that only a few films talked about women's experiences. Women rarely felt empowered by watching female characters. “Men get that on every movie they watch,” Davis said. She predicted that there would be more films portraying women in the future. “There are going to be so many movies starring women, about women, female road pictures, whatever,” Davis said.
