If you want to see a young Robert De Niro, Taxi Driver is one of those films you should watch. I have no recollection of watching this film in the past so I'm grateful to have to see films you'd consider to be classic films with fresh eyes.
This film was released in 1976. Quite a long time ago and I don't have to stress it but I will, seeing Robert De Niro as a young man was fascinating for me. I could see that upturn lip and his unique smile.
Taxi driver is a Martin Scorsese and Martin is the most nominated director of all time and has made about nine films starring Robert De Niro.
The film stars other actors like Cybil Shepherd and Jodie Foster who actually was 12 years old at the time it was made. It also is one of her best child performances. Really strong and I think I still can't believe she was 12. She really played like a mature and refined actress.
According to wiki, In 1994, the film was considered "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant by the US Library of Congress, and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
This film is about a taxi driver who goes by the name of Travis, who suffers from insomnia. He was a veteran and spent his nights driving in New York city just to keep busy. He also keeps a journal. AT night, New York is filled with prostitutes and degenerates. It feels as if the society is crumbling, bleak; it fills Travis with despair. It is on one of his night time rides that he discovers a 12 year old prostitute by name of Iris who works for a pimp; sharp. He desperately wants to rescue her although when you watch this film, you realize that Iris is not exactly being held hostage. She is a preteen who ran away from her loving parents and was influenced negatively to think this was her life. We know this because Travis does have a conversation with her at a café and Jodie here really gives a stunning performance. She's so natural in her acting.
Also, Travis develops a love interest for a woman named Betsy who works as campaign volunteer for a man she hopes will be elected president. Currently a senator, his name is Charles Palentine and Travis, although initially friendly with him when he was trying to win her affection, decides later on to assassinate the man. It doesn't work though and he is chased from one of the campaign venues. It doesn't work out with him and Betsy because Travis loves to watch porn in porn theaters at the time. Side note, I did not know such things existed and she does not find this appropriate when he takes her to view one. I don't blame her. So anyway it ends between them and with the angst in him, his desire to rid his city of filth, Travis buys many guns and visits the brothel where Iris works and shoots the three men involved in this business. He tries to shoot himself too but it does not work as he runs out of bullets.
I thought he'd die but when the cops come, they do not arrest him and in later scenes we see that he is healthy and still a cab driver.
I found this film really interesting and very well done. There was great attention to detail and revealing the unstable mental state of Travis. SO much care and attention was given to each character and the theme is truly a solid one. I will rate this a 9 out of ten and I recommend you watch to be culturally aware of the times it was critiquing and watch well known stars in their prime.
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