Comparing Female Road Films
"Thelma and Louise" and "Set If Off" are both extremely thought-provoking female road films. Sisterhood and loyalty are established in both films out of a commonality of oppression and repitition. Thelma and Louise are at their wits end with their mundane life which consists of a low paying job and an abusive husband. Similarly, the characters of "Set It Off" face an array of forms of oppresssion, only in this film injustice comes mainly in the forms of racism and homophobia. Coming from the black ghetto, the women of "Set It Off" deal with violence and authoritative abuse, like Thelma and Louise. The endings of the films had parallels as well. It appears that the women of both films rebel and would rather lose their lives than be imprisoned and or sent back to their old lives with all of the restraints. One difference, however, is Stoney survives and escapes the police. With this the movie ends with a trace of happy tones. "Thelma and Louise" also ends in a morbidly happy way. The women choose their next step and are content with taking their own lives, instead of surrendering to the police. Overall, both films break boundaries of what female representations are capable of doing in Hollywood cinema.