Have You Heard About The Lonesome Loser?

Rating: 10/10 (7 February 2017)

I have a friend. He also reviews movies. One day I had an idea that we should review each other's favorite movies. So I gave him my blu-ray of In Bruges, and he gave me his blu-ray of Taxi Driver. This review is dedicated to my friend.
Taxi Driver is a very controversial and interpretive movie. However, this being a spoiler-free review, I will not be able to elaborate on that very much. However, what I can do is highly suggest that you watch it, and interpret it, for yourself.
This film is an absolute masterpiece. I struggle to find any flaws with it at all. Martin Scorsese cements his place as one of the greatest film makers of all time. He paints a very bleak, immoral picture of New York City, dripping with filth and scum, allowing the camera to take the place of the protagonist's eyes. Almost every single shot is unchangeable, and every scene tends to hold so much more than meets the eye.
One of the strongest points about this film is it's protagonist, Travis Bickle, a painfully lonely ex-marine who sees New York as a revolting cesspool of irredeemable filth, and he wants to do something about it. Many people who watch this film will see Travis as a psychopath, and while I can certainly say that he is very deeply disturbed and unstable, insane is not a word I would use to describe him. Travis Bickle is one of the most complex and interesting characters that I have ever seen on the big or small screen, not to mention Robert De Niro's incredible performance. De Niro sinks into this role, to the point where you forget you're watching an actor in a movie. Although he didn't win the Oscar that year, he certainly deserved it.
But now for the very brief summary. What is this film about? Loneliness. Taxi Driver is an in-depth examination on the effects of loneliness and isolation on the individual. Without spoiling anything, loneliness is the main emotion pushing Travis's every action.
Taxi Driver is an unquestionable masterpiece and one of the Scorsese's best. This is undoubtedly a must-watch for anybody with an appreciation for great film and is not to be missed.