A Truly Great Character Study

Rating: 10/10 (3 March 2017)

The year was 1976, and armed with a budget of around 1.3 million dollars, director Martin Scorsese alongside the phenomenal acting talents of Robert DeNiro and Jodie Foster, crafted what was to become not only one of the greatest character studies of the last half-century, but also one of the greatest films of all time. Nominated for four Academy Awards upon release, the film's popularity has only risen over the years. The continued critical and fan interest in Scorsese's bleak masterpiece is evident, from the countless reviews, to the endless analyses, to the frequent birth of new theories and ideas regarding the film. I myself am among the many who believe that Taxi Driver has had an undeniable influence on cinema today, and that Travis Bickle is one of the most complex and intricately crafted characters we have ever witnessed – or will ever witness – on screen.
Since my first viewing of Taxi Driver, I have seen a number of films which tackle the themes of madness, depression, and violent tendencies; but none have ever been as focused, perfectly executed, or certain of their intentions as Scorsese's vigilante flick. Every single component of Taxi Driver works tirelessly to give us an intimate insight into the mind of its central figure, the troubled and tortured Travis Bickle. Travis is a retired marine who, as a result of his insomnia, decides to take up the job of a late night taxi driver; with his night time drives through the underbelly of the city sparking a violent hatred for the 'scum' that walk the streets in the early hours. Travis observes pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers, vandals, and virtually every other form of degenerate; resulting in him ultimately coming to the decision that something has to be done. Someone needs to take a stand.
The outstanding quality of this film comes largely from the directorial choices of Martin Scorsese, who is very much in the driver's seat when it comes to this production. Almost every single shot serves to evolve the main character, with virtually no unimportant shots whatsoever. We see through the eyes of Travis as he makes his rounds, are shocked and disgusted along with him, and we feel very much a part of this character's world. The voice-over narration from Travis gives us further insight into his mind state, and allows us to establish clear milestones in his character arc. This masterfully formed character arc being one of the primary reasons that the film has achieved so much continued praise over the years. Travis' disturbing descent into psychosis is portrayed in such a way that no other film has ever been able to replicate its precision. However, none of this would have been possible without the writing talents of Paul Schrader, who does a wonderful job. I feel that every time I watch Taxi Driver, I acquire something more from the dialogue. Every single conversation draws you in and reveals more about the characters, particularly Travis, keeping the film absolutely focused as a character study. I am consistently gripped and intrigued by every word he speaks, and transfixed by his body language and facial expressions; and for me this gives the film a massive re-watchable quality.
Robert DeNiro shines as the top-billed actor and gives one of my favourite performances of all time. His history of method acting results in him totally embodying the character of Travis, with the subtleties of his acting bringing an intense realism to the role. 12-year-old Jodie Foster is also excellent as the underage prostitute who keeps Travis grounded and gives him a real reason to fight for justice. Harvey Keitel gives an interesting performance as the pimp, and shows an unpredictability that allows for some biting exchanges with Travis. Without revealing too much or diminishing the magic of key moments in the film, I would like to mention a couple of my personal favourite scenes. Many who have not seen the film will already be familiar with the often parodied "You talking' to me?" mirror sequence. With an instruction of nothing more than 'Travis talks to himself in the mirror', DeNiro managed to produce one of the greatest pieces of film improvisation in history. Martin Scorsese's brief appearance in the film proves to be one of the most memorable scenes. I will not say any more about this moment other than that it is a truly chilling cameo, and another example of the film's unrivalled character development. The film's explosive finale is also a jaw-dropping and unforgettable experience.
Finally I would like to briefly mention the fantastic score by the late Bernard Herrmann, which is a jazz piece that is heard multiple times throughout the film. Its smooth subtleties and building crescendo perfectly reflect and mirror the story of Travis Bickle.
In conclusion, I see Taxi Driver as a film that no amount of praise can do justice. It is an intelligent, thought-provoking, and terrifying character study; with every aspect meticulously thought- out in order to create a character who is both involved and distanced, heroic and disgusting, relatable and insane. The film manages to feel alive, and bubbles with energy, despite dealing with rather subdued themes such as loneliness, depression and isolation. It is an outstanding film not only in the Scorsese canon, but in the crime genre in general; and it is unlikely that its importance and relevance will ever waver as a result of the deeply political undertones and references to child exploitation. It comes as no surprise that Taxi Driver has influenced many greats and spawned countless imitators, none of which ever managing to quite capture the genius of the original classic. As one of the best films that I have ever seen, I would highly recommend this motion picture to fans of Scorsese, DeNiro, and cinema alike.