Stepping into their Thelma and Louise cowboy boots (not to mention 1966 Ford Thunderbird), Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis commemorate the 25th anniversary of the iconic film for the May issue of Harper’s Bazaar.
“When we did “Thelma & Louise,’ I really didn’t think it would have the kind of resonance it had,”; Sarandon tells the magazine. “It wasn’t seen as any feminist statement. I was very concerned that it wouldn’t be seen as a revenge film. The real thing Louise is asking throughout the movie is, “Why do guys think this is okay?'”;
With themes that continue to resonate in today’s society, the actresses address the negative feedback from Hollywood. “There was all this talk about how it was so violent,”; Davis explains. “…and this was after “Lethal Weapon’ came out…,”; she adds. “We’ve been stuck in this world where Hollywood operates under the assumption that women will watch men, but men won’t watch women. We never got any momentum because everything’s a one-off.”;
The dynamic duo might have felt like they were in a stalemate back in the day, but are happy that women in film finally found a way out, crediting a couple of Hollywood’s funniest women.
“Today I think there is a crop of young women who are interested in having fun and having lives but are not necessarily trying to please all of the time – even though they are scrutinized constantly,”; Sarandon says. “The Melissa McCarthys, the Amy Poehlers, all of the gals who are creating work, being funny and independent.”
So after 25 years, where are “Thelma and Louise”; now? Sarandon has an idea.
“Thelma’s definitely not with her husband anymore! One would only hope she found Brad (Pitt) again,”; she says. “Maybe Louise became a lesbian. That would be fabulous.”;
For more with the iconic duo, pick up the May issue of Harper’s Bazaar, hitting newsstands April 19.