When Thelma and Louise came out in 1991, it was more than a movie. It was a cultural phenomenon. This tale of two women on the road, written by Callie Khouri and directed by Ridley Scott, was the subject of endless water-cooler conversations and Op-Ed pieces.

Billed as the first female buddy movie, this story takes Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon) on a voyage from their ordinary lives into the depths of violence, adventure, and, ultimately, tragedy--all leavened with healthy doses of humor. Layers are stripped away until these two women are left with nothing except their love for each other. "I think I'm going crazy," says childlike Thelma. The no-nonsense Louise replies, "You've always been crazy. You've just never had a chance to express yourself."

One of the topics of controversy was the portrayal of male characters. Some considered it a man-bashing movie, and certainly Thelma's husband and the nasty trucker they meet on the road are the worst examples of the male gender. Thelma's boyfriend Jimmy (Michael Madsen) is a decent man, though, trying his best to understand a woman who is simply beyond his comprehension. Harvey Keitel, as the policeman on their trail, does everything he can to help them. And as for J.D., the charming felon who awakens Thelma's sexuality, this small role catapulted Brad Pitt into stardom.

Own This Award-Winning Movie

Thelma and Louise was nominated for scores of awards. There were Academy Award Best Actress nominations for both stars, as well as nominations for Best Director, Cinematography, and Editing. The movie won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The screenplay also won the Writers' Guild award and a Golden Globe.