Raw examination of a decadent society through a violent, awkward taxi ride.

Rating: 9/10 (16 August 2009)

I waited for the right moment to finally watch this movie. It was one of those days when you think "whatever happens is fine with me".
I knew little about it before watching it except for it's critically acclaimed status, DeNiro's popular performance, and some infamous scenes.
After some minutes, I realized it was going to be a particularly disturbing ride with a dark social message.
I enjoyed the contrast between the 70's Peace and Love atmosphere and the underworld displayed through the eyes of Travis. We don't know exactly about our main character's mental illness, we only know that he's a Nam veteran.
An analysis derived from Travis mental status would through tragic clinical results, but from the social point of view, we wound find a troubled man who tries but cannot enter a society that is under a difficult transition that includes politics, violence, and underworld situations.
Is Travis misunderstood or is it that society is blinded by social supposed rightness? In Trvis mind, it's OK to take your love interest on a first date to a porno cinema, he also believes it's adequate to be some kind of savior for prostitutes, and he also thinks it's normal to plan an attack against an important politician.
Travis got the looks but he was extremely insecure about his behavior and about his mental state. Society didn't give him an opportunity because nobody spent the necessary time with him. Maybe he was just a lonely men who deserved company.
Anyways, this is an excellent film that displays the dark side of human behavior. Martin Scorsese creates a dark yet insecure and disturbing environment where Travis wanders and tries to fix it his own way. That's where Scorsese deserves special recognition; for displaying a terrifying underworld where his main character fits perfectly.
The acting is top notch. DeNiro steals the show and not only because of his badass display (some infamous scene are thrown like the glorious "you talking' to me?"). He gives a solid dramatic class act that goes from insanity, to jealousy, extreme violence, through and awkward behavior. Cybil Shepard was really attractive and her performance is fine, she does what she has to do. Jodie Foster demonstrated to have guts through her brave acting and fine looks. She's a great actress.
The soundtrack is haunting yet disturbing but it fits perfect in the right moments like the ending, and whenever Travis is driving.
People, this is not a movie for everyone. You should watch it only if you feel in the mood. There's plenty of violence (verbal and physical), disturbing situations such as mental illness.
The ending is absolutely haunting, dark. Since "The Godfather" I didn't enjoy a shooting that much. DeNiro faces his demons in such a violent but clever manner.
A cult classic and one of the most clever when criticizing a decant society films.