Perhaps one of the greatest films ever made

Rating: 10/10 (6 May 2017)

I'm not sure where to begin talking about this classic, so I guess I'll start with its star: Robert DeNiro. Movie lovers have asked me in the past which of The Godfather actors had the most prolific career-Brando, Pacino, or DeNiro? Though Brando's career is probably unmatched in iconic presence and award merit, DeNiro takes the spot for me as the greatest actor of this trio. I, for example, thought he was superior to Brando as Vito Corleone. In Taxi Driver, DeNiro proves all skeptics that he's right up there with Nicholson as one of the all time greats. The film is told from the first person perspective of 20 something Vietnam vet Travis Bickle, played by DeNiro. Bickle is extremely lonely, depressed, and suffers from chronic insomnia. He works the night shift as a NYC cab driver and spends most of his free time in seedy pornographic theaters. DeNiro's performance in this movie, including his iconic monologue in front of the mirror, is perhaps the apex of his phenomenal career. In addition to DeNiro, Jodie Foster, an equally impressive actor, got her start here playing Iris, an adolescent prostitute whom Bickle attempts to save from her abusive pimp and general unsafe lifestyle. Overall, this film explores Bickle's damaged sense of reality, self and his emotional capacity for impulsive violence. It is a fine cinematic achievement that any fan of movies must see.