**** out of ****

Rating: 10/10 (9 August 2002)

"Taxi Driver" is an amazing movie in every sense. Beautifully directed, scripted, and acted, it is one of the most outstanding pieces of cinema created in the 20th century.
The story revolves around Travis Bickle, a lonely, disturbed man totally out of step with society. He takes a job as a cab driver because he can't sleep at night. He goes through several different events that have an impact on the story. First, he meets Betsy (Cybil Shepherd), a campaign worker for Senator Palentine, a man running for president. His relationship fails with Betsy, and he moves on. He then meets a young prostitute, Iris (Jodie Foster), which leads to the bulk of the rest of the movie.
I have deliberately left out many important plot points, because the movie should be viewed for itself. The themes and characters of the movie are among the most well developed and complex in any movie ever filmed. The beauty of the film is in Schrader, Scorsese, and De Niro's ability to present a character so off the wall, so despicable, and so unique, but yet one that we can all relate to in some ways. There is a little bit of Travis Bickle in every one of us.
How so? Travis is "God's lonely man". He sees himself as being different from everybody. He describes them as "cold and distant". He doesn't approach it in a hostile way, rather going about his business, blending in as a nice, charming man. But, the loneliness is there.
This theme of loneliness is central, but so is the theme of redemption. Travis needs to do something big. He doesn't know what, but he has to do it. However, as he attempts to do it, he slips up, several times, because of his inability to connect with the real world.
Everybody has felt this way, some of us more than others. We've all felt out of step with society, in need of some form of redemption, if not on the scale that Travis Bickle has. De Niro's flawless performance, in my opinion as good as or better than that in "Raging Bull", communicates this loneliness to the viewer.
Aside from the themes, the characters, and the performances, the movie is a technical masterpiece. The lighting, camera angles, the editing - all are perfect. Scorsese created a work that technically stands up to any film ever made.
Watch this movie. If not because it is a cornerstone of modern cinema, a must see for any movie buff, then because it can present an emotional connection to the main character that few films have ever done before. Many viewers will dislike it because it lacks a fast pace, a Hollywood storyline, or an action or explosions. But, for those who can truly appreciate cinematic greatness in all of its glory, this movie must be seen to be believed.