a movie that redefines movies

Rating: 10/10 (23 July 2006)

this powerful and thrilling film has an excellent cast and a great script. It's the story of a lonely taxi driver(DE niro) who drives around new york all night and who meets a nice lady, Betsy(Shepard). they go on a date, he takes her to see a porno. she feels uncomforted and leaves him. she won't talk to him. he loves her. then he starts getting upset of all the scum in the city, pimps, and 12-year- old hookers. he wants to get rid of all the scum in a violent way. then he starts to buy guns and plays with them like toys, he talks to himself in the mirror. then he meets Iris(foster) a 12-year-old hooker. she runs in his cab one night trying to get away from a pimp(KIETEL), he pulls Iris out of the cab, and gives DE NIRO a $20. then De niro sees her again. he goes to a whorehouse and goes in a room with Iris. He tells her he's gonna to get out this place, he wants to save her from the scumbags. then he kills a guy who tried to rob a convenience store. Scoresase does a terrific job building to a grand finale. De niro shots Kietel and another pimp. then goes into a room where Iris is with a customer. then he kills that guy and the police come. Iris sobs. De niro tries to kill himself but he's out of bullets, he takes his hand shapes it like a gun and puts it to his head. this film has great scenes and an ensemble cast. masterpiece. amazing directing. It defined cinema for the 70's. Scoresase at his best.