Rhetorical Genders: Performances of a Lifetime in Thelma and Louise If the 1991 box office success of Thelma and Louise was unexpected, more surprising was the heated debate that followed its release, a debate over the film�s political status and social implications. While Joan Smith of The Guardian argued that the film�s �effect is perversely to reinforce the message that women cannot win,� Janet Maslin of the New York Times called the film �transcendent in every way.� Where Kathi Maio of Ms saw �powerful images of women who dare to feel anger against male violence and domination,� John Leo of US News and World Report saw �toxic feminisim.�