It’s been a quarter of a century since Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis hit the open road to escape the violent men in their lives. Not only is this tale of sisterly solidarity a pillar of feminist film – Geena (aka Thelma) went on to found the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, a research organisation that seeks to engage, educate and influence the representation of women in film and TV.
To celebrate 25 years of Thelma & Louise, feminist film festival Bechdel Test Fest are hosting a special anniversary screening in central London on Tuesday 12 July. They’re dusting off a rarely shown 35mm print of the woman power classic as part of The Prince Charles Cinema’s 'Check the Gate' season, a summer-long celebration of celluloid in the digital age.
Grab your cowboy hat and the Thelma to your Louise and revisit their journey on the big screen – but first, whet your appetite with some of cinema’s best gal pals...
Nomi and Molly in Showgirls
You’d be forgiven for assuming that director Paul Verhoeven’s camp sexploitation thriller (and notorious turkey) would be all boobs and no brain, but awkward sex scenes and overwrought acting aside, there’s a solid show of female friendship here. Seamstress Molly (Gina Ravera) takes in runaway dancer Nomi (Elizabeth Berkley), letting her crash on the sofa of her trailer and lifting her spirits with a fun (and only slightly sleazy) night out at The Crave Club. When Molly is brutally raped at a celebrity party, Nomi slicks back her hair and takes justice into her own hands, beating her friend’s rapist to a bloody pulp.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock.
Elle and Paulette in Legally Blonde
United by their blonde hair and contempt for rubbish men, law student Elle (Reese Witherspoon) and nail technician Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge) bond in a Boston beauty salon. Paulette is Elle’s emotional support system and only friend while she struggles to settle in at Harvard and Elle helps Paulette to seduce her future husband by teaching her the Bend and Snap. Then the pair work together to steal back Paulette’s dog from her evil ex.
Photo: MGM/Everett/REX/Shutterstock.
Susan and Anne in Girlfriends
Before there was Frances Ha, or Girls, or Walking and Talking, there was Girlfriends. Claudia Weill’s New York story is a distinctive take on the intellectual and existential headaches of city living (and flat sharing) circa 1978. When Anne moves out of their apartment and in with her boyfriend, Susan’s heart begins to break in a way that’s all too familiar to anyone who’s lost their best friend to the throes of a too-much-too soon relationship. What’s special is the way the film lets them regain BFF status, after they’ve worked through their individual insecurities.
Photo: Everett Collection/REX/Shutterstock.
Marie I and Marie II in Daisies
In Vera Chytilova’s surreal Czech New Wave masterpiece, the mischief-making Maries are united by a shared sense of playful anarchy. From flirting to food fights to slicing up phallic objects in a not-so-veiled dig at the men who try to spoil their fun, the pair have a great time wreaking havoc and pissing off the patriarchy – something that’s way more fun when you’re doing it alongside one of your girlfriends (in matching outfits).
Photo: Moviestore Collection/REX/Shutterstock.
Alexandra and Sin-Dee in Tangerine
Trans sex workers Alexandra (Mya Taylor) and Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) spend the majority of Tangerine bitching and bickering (like real best friends), but their arguments bubble up from a place of love. Some of the most moving moments of the film include when Sin-Dee shows up to Alexandra’s gig in an otherwise empty jazz bar, and when Alexandra gives her best friend her own wig when Sin-Dee’s gets soaked by an abusive passer-by.
Photo: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock.
Lorelei and Dorothy in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Strong, self-sufficient showgirls Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell are the ultimate bombshell duo, using their wily ways to charm men (and wind them up too) aboard a ship to Paris in Howard Hawks’ comedy musical. For Monroe’s Lorelei, diamonds are a girl’s best friend, whereas Russell’s Dorothy is more inclined towards love. Despite their differences, they have each other’s best interests at hearts – and it’s refreshing to see the two megastars pitched as glamorous comrades, not rivals.
Photo: 20th Century-Fox/Everett/REX/Shutterstock.
Cher and Dionne in Clueless
Dionne (Stacey Dash) is the yin to Cher’s (Alicia Silverstone) yang; the cool-headed realist to her inexperienced, fluffy-penned optimist. The high school valley girls have matching plaid skirt suits and a secret handshake – and they both know what it feels like to have people be jealous of them.
Photo: Everett Collection/REX/Shutterstock.
Thelma and Louise in Thelma & Louise
Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) are perhaps the ultimate feminist power couple. When a drunken creep tries to rape Thelma, Louise shoots him dead, and the pair are forced to flee the police in a blue Ford Thunderbird, racing across the desert, the two of them against the world.
Photo: SNAP/REX/Shutterstock.Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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