Taxi Driver
The Plot:
A sensationalized paranoia movie that is one long preparation for a massacre. It creates a tight, obsessive, suffocating world that excludes `normal' outlets for relief, rest, connection, gratification. Robert DeNiro is superb as a lonely, impotent, insomniac ex-marine provoked to orgasmic carnage. it is definitely not suitable for the squeamish, the impressionable or the very young. (From Yahoo Movies)
My Thoughts: (Reviewed by K-Billy)
From writer Paul Schrader and director Martin Scorsese comes the chilling film that delves deep into the human psyche. Travis Bickle (DeNiro) is a New York cabbie who cannot fill the empty void that is his life. Unable to connect with anyone from the outside world. Until he meets Betsy (Shepard) a woman so perfect, yet in the end too human to understand the complexities of Travis. A physiologically damaged man, Travis’ will to lash out is heightened by his desire to save a young prostitute named Iris (Foster) from her pimp (Keitel) and wash the scum from the streets of New York. Leading up to his violent urges being unleashed. Resulting in a nightmarish gun battle at the end of the film to liberate the exploited Iris.
Few films have impressed me and engaged me as much as Taxi Driver. After seeing many of Scorsese’s films, it is safe to say that this is the best movie he has ever made in his entire career and is one of the greatest movies of all time. It is a film that is in essence counting down to an explosion an eruption. There is a chillingly unnatural calm throughout the entire film as we see Travis go throughout his day to day life, observing those around him and attempting to interact with his fellow man. This quiet before the storm sense carries throughout the entire film. Leading up to the shocking ending that will leave you questioning every single stranger you’ll meet for the rest of your life.
Hands down, Taxi Driver contains my favorite performance by any actor in any movie to date. Robert DeNiro is absolutely stunning in every sense of the word. The depth and substance of the character that he has created for this film is unbelievable. Travis Bickle will forever be etched into your mind. DeNiro paints a portrait of a confused man, bewildered by what goes on around him, resentful, violent, hateful, yet innocent, and noble, wanting to be loved and accepted. A racist character that observes life rather then living it, and lives in his loneliness throughout the entire film. Unable to connect with the outside world that he watches. It is to say the least a chilling performance. A truly terrifying character, yet you find yourself sympathizing with his tragedy, with his misguided ideals and social aversion. Words do not do it justice, his transformation has to be seen to be believed. In her first role in a film, Jodie Foster does an excellent job portraying the lost soul of Iris. A youth that has fallen into the dark corners of New York. Unable to escape and afraid to go back to the life that she lived outside of the city. As the love interest of Travis, Cybill Shepard is quite good, although I have never seen her in any other movies. You understand how much she’d like to enjoy Travis and how interested she is in his offbeat personality, yet it’s impossible for her to put up with his detachment from the social world and what is appropriate and proper. Keitel actually has quite an interesting character, being the pimp, he could’ve played it one dimensional like so many other actors would’ve but he adds a dynamic to the character with the little screen time he has that displays the manipulation that goes on between his character and Iris. All around the performances are absolutely superb in this picture.
Expertly directed and wonderfully written, Taxi Driver, is one of the very best films from the 70s and one of the greatest of all time. With an unbelievable lead performance by Robert DeNiro and unheard of superb supporting contributions from Cybill Shepard, Jodie Foster, and Harvey Keitel. This film will leave a lasting impression on you whether you enjoy it or not. It is all to eerily realistic and delves into the elements and needs that make us human, and what happens when they are not met. This is truly an amazing cinematic experience.
Starring:
Robert De Niro, Cybill Shepherd, Peter Boyle, Jodie Foster, and Harvey Keitel
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Rated R