Near Perfection

Rating: Null/10 (29 December 2003)

There are so many levels to this film that it would be impossible (at least for me) to comment in any intelligent way. While there are many scenes that seem to sum up the film, I'm reminded of one particular scene between Travis and Wizard (Peter Boyle). They are standing outside a diner about to go on their Taxi routes. Travis keeps saying that he is going to do something...something (and he can't put it into words). He is clearly frustrated and his anger is close to the surface. He is desparately trying to tell Wizard that he is going to do "something." Wizard clearly sees that Travis is upset and frustrated. He looks at Travis and says. "You know what your problem is, Travis?" He continues..."You think too much." Wizard finishes the discussion with "Don't think so much." Like many scenes in this movie, they sort of get by you without you fully understanding the weight of the moment. When Wizard tells Travis that he thinks too much (as a simple observation), he is really saying something about Travis that is both profound and comprehensive. Travis' sensitivity to the world around him is so overwhelming that he cannot sort it all out, no matter how hard he tries. He is left to express his anxiety and frustration in only one way...through violence.
Is Travis a hero or a villian? This is the theme of the movie. The fact that it is left up to the viewer to decide is what makes this film one of the best ever.
-Paige