A Bad Movie That Justifies Criminal Behavior
How are sisterhood and loyalty established?
Compared with "Thelma and Louise" sisterhood and loyalty are established through mutual misery rather than true loyalty and friendship. "Thelma and Louise" was a movie where sisterhood and loyalty were already established before we saw much of the movie. They were in agreement to go travel the road together and find their freedom. They only commit the crimes as a statement of loyalty to each other because they are doing it to defend each other from the people who have treated them unjustly. The characters of this movie, in particular the character Cleopatra 'Cleo' Sims, continually have to threaten the group of characters to stay together. Cleo reminds the group that they have been through many hardships based on how other people have treated them and that they can justify their criminal behavior by treating other the same way. Cleo threatens the group with bad language and violence, making them feel guilty and obligated to stay around herself. Without such reminders and threats of violence, it is likely that the group would leave her for a life of good conscience and morality. Therefore, there is quite a difference in the manner the movie "Thelma and Louise" and "Set It Off" establish sisterhood and loyalty.
How are the landscapes different?
The physical and social landscapes of "Thelma and Louise" and "Set It Off" are quite similar and different in many manners. The physical and social landscapes can give the movies an interesting contrast that can explain the actions of the characters. The physical and social landscape of "Thelma and Louise" is more western, more rural with fewer nodes or places where people generally meet. The spatial patterns are larger and the manmade interests are spaced out more. Therefore, the action usually comes as a result of what Thelma and Louise do whether they go to a night club or whether they decide to pick up a stranger. The physical and social landscape of "Set It Off" is quite different as it is set in the middle of busy downtown Los Angeles. The enviornment features many more nodes or places where people can come together and meet. The action in the movie can go both ways as there are many times where the characters do bring the attraction of people to themselves and also many times where people are attracted to them. The public in this movie is generally more intertwined with the actions of the characters as a result of the more close nature of being in a busy downtown.
張惠妹