" "Thelma and Louise's" incorporation of Hollywood genres into its discourse further complicates its process of challenging the classical paradigm’ (Man, 1993)
Now, i love this movie, i've watched it numerous times and every time i'm sure to find a new aspect of the film i can appreciate... The film centers around the relationship and lives of the two leading female characters, Thelma and Louise and can be seen as a feminist film...i was recently linked to an article my Glenn man entitled "Gender, Genre, and Myth in Thelma and Louise", in the article, Man basically asserts that the film challenges the traditional gendered roles that are practiced within society and reinforced by the film industry... it does this by "subverting the classical paradigm" (Man 1993, p.38)... i understood that to mean the "values' and 'believes' that are held within a society.
The film main characters are both alike and different in numerous ways, they both start out in (some what) subservient positions.. Thelma more so than Louise... Thelma is seen as dependent housewife, a traditional housewife who looks to her husband for approval. While Louise is seen as the more independent of the two (she lives on her own, and works as a waitress) she does possess certain traditional feminine qualities. Throughout the film however, we see them change from their initial roles to more 'masculine' ones.. i say masculine because their roles change from what is typical viewed as feminine roles to what is traditionally viewed as masculine roles (especially in the film industry). They shoot guns, they blow things up and rob stores.. (typical things found in male led action films.). In man article, he attributes these changes in their character to Thelma's near rape in the film. Man states that " the catalyst for the women's rebellion is Thelma's near rape" (man, 1993, p.40).
Growing up seeing women typical portrayed as the damsels in distress, it was very refreshing to finally see females take on a more active role in a film as opposed to being the 'arm-candy' of the male lead. Kudos to Ridley Scott for challenging the gendered myths.
I based my film essay on the construction of gender roles in Thelma and Louise (and the Shining) i will post an update on that also.
(link to Glenn Man's article if interested: ->>> http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/31316525/gender-genre-myth-thelma-louise )
