Thelma and Louise
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Feminist road movie is only for the very mature.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 16–17
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Thelma and Louise was written by David Gurney
Parents need to know that this is a very explicit film. The language is frequently obscene and/or frankly sexual. One woman is threatened with rape, and later in the film, she engages in somewhat graphic consensual sex with a man. The potential rapist is shot point blank, and later both women shoot up an oil truck causing a large explosion. The pair drinks alcohol to excess, and there is a scene depicting a man blowing marijuana smoke into the trunk of a police car. The finale features an act of suicide.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about if they think Thelma and Louise's actions were justified given their treatment by men. Why were they reluctant to turn themselves in? What does this movie say about gender politics? Are Thelma and Louise positive role models or not?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Thelma and Louise
What’s the Story?
The titular heroines (or anti-heroines) of this movie are two Arkansas women looking to get away from the men in their lives for a weekend of fun. Before they reach their destination, they stop off for a drink, but, when Thelma (Geena Davis) is almost raped, Louise (Susan Sarandon) shoots the would-be rapist. They then travel across the southwestern United States attempting to avert the law. Thelma and Louise take some rather strong actions against their aggressors throughout their journey, but their plight is not entirely own. Rather, it's expressive of the oppression that many women experience in society. Thelma's husband doesn't listen to her and orders her around like a child; Louise's boyfriend is unwilling to commit and often drunk. Even a male hitchhiker with whom Thelma becomes involved ultimately leaves her after stealing her money. The one redeeming male character may be the sympathetic detective Hal Slocumb (Harvey Keitel) who tries to convince the women to surrender to the law, but his decent efforts are drowned out by the bombast of masculine aggression surrounding the women by the end of the film.
Is It Any Good?
As polarizing as it was popular, THELMA AND LOUISE made a huge splash when it was originally released in 1991. It's is an updated, feminized version of an outlaw road movie. Still quite potent today, the film's no-holds-barred approach to confronting the subservient position thrust upon females in society hasn't been matched in the time since its release.
Chock full of great performances and dramatic scenes, this is one truly amazing film that crystallizes a moment in feminist social history for all time. However, scenes involving rape, the glorification of suicide, and destruction of property makes this film inappropriate for kids.
Movie Details
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment, Director: Ridley Scott
Run time: 129 minutes
Theatrical release: 5/24/1991, DVD release: 9/7/2004
MPAA Rating: R for violence and language
Run time: 129 minutes
Theatrical release: 5/24/1991, DVD release: 9/7/2004
MPAA Rating: R for violence and language
Our Members Say
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Be the first to review
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
