JoBlo reviews "Taxi Driver"

TAXI DRIVER
RATING: 8 / 10 --> Great movie

Review Date:                  June 14, 1998
Director:                        Martin Scorsese
Writer:                           Paul Schrader
Producers:                      Julia Phillips and Michael Phillips
Actors:                           Robert DeNiro as Travis Bickle
                                      Jodie Foster as Iris
                                      Harvey Keitel as Sport
                                      Cybill Shepperd as Betsy
Genre:                            Drama
Year of Release:            1976

American classic deals with the effects of urbanization, loneliness, and the lost American Dream. Scorsese's gritty urban drama was brought even greater attention when real-life psychopath John F. Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate President Reagan in 1981. He claimed that he was committing the act in order "to impress Jodie Foster".

PLOT:
Taxi driver Travis Bickle drives along the scummiest streets in the world, New York City. He doesn't know "much about much", but he does know that he does not like the continuing propagation of the pimps, hookers, junkies and low-lifes in his fair city. He also likes a girl. She doesn't like him back. He is lonely. He likes to drink. He gets depressed. He gets angry...

CRITIQUE:
Great urban drama accurately demonstrates the development of a sociopath within a realistically portrayed city of hell. Travis Bickle seems like a nice guy, who just couldn't take it anymore. Have any of you ever felt the same way in your lifetime? Of course. We all have. And herein lies the continuing popularity of this classic film which despite some aging concerns, still stands up in time after all these years.

On the surface, this film will not blow you away in one sitting, but the symbolism used by Scorsese, the extremely effective acting by Robert DeNiro, and the superb writing by Paul Schrader, turn this movie into a cinematic adventure of many layers. The ticking of the cab fare ticker representing Bickle's growing dissatisfaction with the world around him (like a bomb), the red and green lights garbing Bickle's moods, and the plethora of other symbols used to convey anger, confusion and ultimate frustration.

The soundtrack is perfect (Mrs. JoBlo remarked that it set her into an icky and depressed state...exactly what was needed to appreciate Bickle's character), in that it allows you to feel the depravity of his being. You understand the point that he's reached when he begins to pour Peach Schnapps into his morning cereal (Bernard Herrmann wasn't going to write the score for this film, but agreed to do it (his last) when he saw this pitiful scene.) He is no longer very logical. His anti-socialism has got the better of him. The direction is top-notch, with Scorsese showing up in no less than two scenes. And the acting is superb with DeNiro leading the way, Foster pulling off an effective "12-and a half year old" hooker, and Keitel, well, being Keitel. The scene where DeNiro and Keitel haggle for Foster's "services" is one of my favourites in this movie.

Many classic scenes and lines are now splashed across this film, such as the infamous "Are you talking to me?" line (completely ad-libbed by DeNiro, bien sur), the trademark Scorsese slo-mo's, and the green Army jacket and penchant for pie and coffee (all used in an effective hommage in 1993's TRUE ROMANCE (9/10) by writer Quentin Tarantino and director Tony Scott.) I have always watched this film when I was feeling down and out, and now I know why. As bad as anything gets in my life, I could always count on Mr. Travis Bickle's life to be so much more pathetic.

Keep an eye on the last scene of the film after Bickle drops his passenger off and notices "his inner demons" quickly appear through the rearview mirror. Some of the monster still remains...

Little Known Facts:
Robert DeNiro was married to the attendant at the porno theater in this film (actress Diahnne Abbott) from 1976 to 1988. He has been quoted as saying about his own films, ""I don't like to watch my own movies - I fall asleep in my own movies." He stands 5"9.
Writer Paul Schrader had spent weeks sleeping in his car while writing this script, when he realized that he hadn't spoken to another human being in about three weeks (he was depressed and an alcoholic at the time.)
Jodie Foster was second choice to play Princess Leia in STAR WARS (8.5/10).
Various studios considered producing this film...one had even suggested Neil Diamond for the lead role.
Director Martin Scorsese claims that the most important shot in the movie is when Bickle is on the phone trying to get another date with Betsy. The camera moves to the side slowly and pans down the long, empty hallway next to Bickle, as if to suggest that the phone conversation is too painful and pathetic to bear.
Jodie Foster's real name is Alicia Christian Foster. She stands 5"4. In 1980 she graduated as the best of her class from the College Lycée Français and began to study English Literature at Yale University, from where she graduated magna cum laude in 1985. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 1977 Oscars for her role as Iris the prostitute in this film (the award went to Beatrice Straight from NETWORK (7/10).)
Before becoming director, Martin Scorsese had thought about entering the priesthood. He has been married four times, including actress Isabella Rossellini, and his sometime producer Barbara De Fina.

(c) 1998 Berge Garabedian