Thelma and Louise : Micro Analysis.

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In this essay I will be analysing the closing sequence of the film 'Thelma and Louise' written by Callie Khouri and directed by Ridley Scott. The focus of this essay on film language is mise-en-scene and sound/dialogue and how it is used to create meaning and generate response.

In the beginning of this scene Thelma and Louise are driving and they suddenly come to a cliff edge. Louise slams on the breaks and manages to stop the car just before going off the edge. The dialogue between Thelma and Louise, 'What the hell is this?' 'I think it's the God damned Grand Canyon,' demonstrates their disbelief at how close they came to falling to their death. Thelma's question also illustrates how little she was allowed out of the house when she was living with Darrell. The next dialogue as the camera pans round the canyon is of Thelma and Louise's amazement at its beauty. Thelma says, 'Isn't it beautiful?' Louise responds, 'Yeah, it's somethin' else alright.' The camera pans around the canyon as if it was in the car and it is as if we are seeing through Thelma and Louise's eyes. The audience see how beautiful the canyon is.

There is a slight pause in dialogue and movement, except the camera on a static shot of Thelma's face starring out in awe at the canyon. Then Thelma and Louise look at each other and the helicopter comes up from in the canyon taking them by surprise. The helicopter is black and symbolises the good verses evil of the modern western film. As the helicopter flies over tem Louise turns the car around and tries to run quickly coming to a stop and realising the huge convoy of police cars surrounding them and trapping them in a semi circle again the cliff. The helicopter flies behind the cars and lands, Hal and Max exit it. Again Thelma and Louise's dialogue is important here. Thelma says, 'Oh my God. Look's like the army!' and Louise say, 'All this for us!' Louise is astonished that anyone could ever pay this much attention to her even considering what they have done. Thelma and Louise are told to shut the car engine down and place their hands in plain view and that any inability to do so will be considered an act of violence against the police.
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At this point you can see the strong oppositions in the setting and this reflects Thelma and Louise's point of view and decision about their situation. On one side of Thelma and Louise in the car you have the beautiful Grand Canyon, whereas on the other side you have the police line and capture. In the middle Thelma and Louise are stuck deciding what to do (give up or try and escape somehow), however the car is facing the cliff and away from the police so this indicates that they may have already made their decision. I have ...

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