Great Scene: “Thelma & Louise”
A great ending to a movie is (in my view) the only ending it should have. Oh, a movie could have multiple endings, but a well-constructed plot should lead to the story’s only real ending. And when that ending is both logical and shocking, then you have the makings of a great scene — like the climax of Thelma & Louise (1991), written by Callie Khouri.
Think about it: What other ending could T&L have? They turn themselves in? That would have been a false choice, going against everything these two women had been doing and saying for the bulk of the movie. Clearly the idea of turning themselves in is sparking through their minds as they look at “each other really hard,” but both of them know they can’t turn back now. They’ve gone too far and learned too much, about each other, themselves, and life.
The movie’s ending was a critical component, too, in the movie’s box office success because everybody talked about it when it was released.
Here’s the scripted version of the ending to Thelma & Louise:
INT. CAR - DAYLouise and Thelma are looking at each other.POLICE (O.S.)
(over loudspeaker)
Turn off the engine and place your
hands in the air!EXT. DESERT - DAYHal is about to crawl out of his skin. He can't believe
this thing is getting out of control. He jumps in front of
Max.HAL
Max! Let me talk to 'em! I can't
believe this! You've gotta do
something here!Max goes around Hal and continues walking. Hal jumps in
front of Max again and blocks his way.HAL
I'm sorry to bother you, I know you're
real busy right now, but how many
times, Max? How many times has that
woman gotta be fucked over? You
could lift one finger and save her
ass and you won't even do that?MAX
(grabbing Hal)
Get a hold of yourself! You are way
out of your jurisdiction, now come
on! Calm down! Don't make me sorry
I let you come!Max lets go of Hal's lapels.HAL
(under his breath)
Shit! I can't fucking believe this!Hal walks along with a look of total disbelief on his face.
He's shaking his head. Slowly he breaks into a trot and
starts heading toward the front line.MAX
(shouting)
Hey. Hey!Hal is running now and clears the front row of cars.There is a lot of confusion among the officers on the front
row. Some shout, some lower their guns to look.ARIZONA COP #1
What in the hell?!ARIZONA #2
(lowering his rifle)
The son of a bitch is in my way!INT. CAR - DAYThey are still looking at each other really hard.THELMA
You're a good friend.LOUISE
You, too, sweetie, the best.SHOOT WITH OR WITHOUT.MUSIC: B.B. King song entitled "Better Not Look Down" begins.
It is very upbeat.LOUISE
Are you sure?Thelma nods.THELMA
Hit it.Louise puts the car in gear and FLOORS it.CUT TO:EXT. DESERT - DAYHal's eyes widen for a moment at what he sees, and then a
sense of calm overtakes him and he mouths the word "alright."B.B. KING SONG (V.O.)
I've been around, I've seem some
things, People movin' faster than
the speed of sound, faster than a
speedin' bullet. People livin' like
Superman, all day and all night. I
won't say if it's wrong or I won't
say if it's right. I'm pretty fast
myself. But I do have some advice
to pass along, right here in the
words to this song...EXT. DESERT - DAYThe cops all lower their weapons as looks of shock and
disbelief cover their faces. A cloud of dust blows THROUGH
THE FRAME as the speeding car sails over the edge of the
cliff.B.B. KING SONG (V.O.)
Better not look down, if you wanna
keep on flyin'. Put the hammer down,
keep it full speed ahead. Better
not look back or you might just wind
up cryin'. You can keep it movin'
if you don't look down...FADE OUTTHE END
And here’s the movie version. Sans B.B. King and with slightly different dialogue between Thelma and Louise:
Great scene. Great ending.
[Originally posted April 24, 2009]
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