“How do you like the vacation so far?”

By the time this question gets asked in the film, lifelong friends and now literal partners-in-crime, Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) cannot help but bust out into ear-to-ear smiles and laughter that have them both absolutely beaming with giddy disbelief thinking about what their planned weekend fishing trip has turned into. By this point, they have the law hot on their tail as they race through the picturesque landscapes of the desert in Louise’s beautiful turquoise T-Bird, en route to Mexico for their much-anticipated (and much-deserved) margaritas by the sea. Their trail of crime and craziness is one they can’t come back from, nor do they ever want to. In just a few short days of being accidental fugitives, the film’s title characters live an entire lifetime on their once-in-a-lifetime road trip.

From the get-go, Thelma & Louise is a film that fires on all cylinders. It such an efficient way, it gives you all you need to know about the characters: Thelma’s disorganized life as a repressed housewife of a belittling, controlling, and probably cheating husband, Darryl (Christopher McDonald) and Louise’s independent but mundane life as a waitress with a flakey boyfriend, Jimmy (Michael Madsen). Immediately, you sympathize with them, and then once they hop in Louise’s gorgeous convertible to commence the getaway, you fall in love with them. You’re along for the ride, and you never want to get out, no matter what comes.

After convincing Louise to stop in a bar, determined to finally let her hair down for once in her life, Thelma finds herself in the arms of a charming stranger on the dancefloor. But perhaps a little too trusting and naïve, Thelma winds up being subjected to an attempted rape at the hands of this man before Louise steps in to save her. They almost walk away, but the disrespect of the man crosses the line and Louise shoots him right in the heart. With that, their weekend getaway is out the window, and the road trip of their lives is on.

Penned by then first-time screenwriter Callie Khouri and helmed by legendary director Ridley Scott, everything from the sharp and exciting writing presented in a one-in-a-million script to the stunning and grand visuals that further reinforces Ridley’s status as one of the most visually intelligent directors to ever live to the electrifying and twangy score of Hans Zimmer, and especially to the powerful (and hilarious) performances from the entire cast, Thelma & Louise is an absolutely liberating odyssey that is nothing short of totally and beautifully epic.

There were many notable names thrown around for who could potentially play the beloved title characters. And while I’m sure that other actors would have done a great job, but this is one of those movies where it is so impossible to imagine anyone else playing the accidental outlaws and true ride-or-die friends other than Davis and Sarandon. They are so perfect in their respective roles because they fully embody their characters and have an unmatched chemistry that their unconditional love bleeds off the screen. It’s easy to see why the pair both got Academy Award nominations for their powerful and now iconic performances. And to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people have more fun on screen then these two.

So unbelievably unapologetic in every way, it is still a mystery to me that Thelma & Louise ever got made, especially to the caliber that it did. There are many words I could throw around to describe it: exciting, empowering, liberating, cathartic, fun, bittersweet, and so many more things. And though I try, I don’t think words do the film enough justice to explain how amazing it truly is. And despite it being over thirty years since its initial release, the film’s modern take on the western genre conventions while being able to combine it with the road movie makes it absolutely timeless. It’s got everything: comedy, car chases, explosions, suspense, strong and complex characters, and an absolutely perfect and unforgettable ending that is truly iconic. Thelma & Louise is a one-in-a-million type of movie. A true classic. No doubt.

Thelma & Louise is now available in 4K and Blu Ray courtesy of the Criterion Collection.

4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Edition

Home Video Distributor: Criterion
Available on Blu-ray - May 30, 2023
Screen Formats: 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Discs: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc; Three-disc set
Region Encoding: 4K region-free; blu-ray locked to Region A

Two women, a turquoise Thunderbird, the ride of a lifetime. With this pop-culture landmark, screenwriter Callie Khouri and action auteur Ridley Scott rewrote the rules of the road movie, telling the story of two best friends who find themselves transformed into accidental fugitives during a weekend getaway gone wrong—leading them on a high-speed southwestern odyssey as they elude police and discover freedom on their own terms. Propelled by irresistible performances from Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis (plus Brad Pitt in a sexy, star-making turn)—and nominated for six Academy Awards, winning one for Khouri—the exhilaratingly cathartic Thelma & Louise stands as cinema’s ultimate ode to ride-or-die female friendship.

VIDEO

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1, the new 4K digital restoration, supervised by director Ridley Scott and created from the 35 mm original camera negative shows off cinematographer Adrian Biddle’s stunning photography epically. With a rich and warm color palette stemming from the wide desert plains to the impeccable definition and clarity of the picture, this is probably the best the film has ever looked.

AUDIO

The 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack does wonders to enhance the visuals of the pictures. The music, ambient noises, and dialogue all come in clear, and with the surround sound, you are fully immersed in the pedal-to-the-metal world of the outlaws.

Supplements:

Two commentary tracks, new and old interviews, and much more, this release is absolutely packed with special features for viewers to enjoy.

Commentary:

• Two audio commentaries, featuring Scott, screenwriter Callie Khouri, and actors Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon

Special Features:

• New interviews with Scott and Khouri
• Documentary featuring Davis; Khouri; Sarandon; Scott; actors Michael Madsen, Christopher McDonald, and Brad Pitt; and other members of the cast and crew
• Boy and Bicycle (1965), Scott’s first short film, and one of his early commercials
• Original theatrical featurette
• Storyboards and deleted and extended scenes, including an extended ending with director’s commentary
• Music video for Glenn Frey’s “Part of Me, Part of You,” from the film’s soundtrack
• Trailers
• PLUS: Essays by critics Jessica Kiang and Rachel Syme and journalist Rebecca Traister

	Movie
	Video
	Audio
	Extras
Composite Blu-ray Grade

MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 130 mins
Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Callie Khouri
Cast: Susan Sarandon; Geena Davis; Harvey Keitel
Genre: Drama | Adventure
Tagline: Somebody said get a life... so they did.
Memorable Movie Quote: "You've always been crazy. This is just the first chance you've ever had to really express yourself."
Theatrical Distributor: MGM
Official Site: https://www.criterion.com/films/29164-thelma-louise
Release Date: May 24, 1991
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: May 30, 2023.
Synopsis: Two women, a turquoise Thunderbird, the ride of a lifetime. With this pop-culture landmark, screenwriter Callie Khouri and action auteur Ridley Scott rewrote the rules of the road movie, telling the story of two best friends who find themselves transformed into accidental fugitives during a weekend getaway gone wrong—leading them on a high-speed Southwest odyssey as they elude police and discover freedom on their own terms.