YOU TALKIN' TO ME?

Rating: Null/10 (4 March 2001)

Decades of mimicking by countless himbo actors and De Nero wannabes have done little to erode the famous mirror scene's impact, and the fact that this has to be one of the saddest lines in modern cinema history. Sad because NOBODY'S talkin' to him. Travis is all alone in his room.
Not much more can be said about this American masterpiece that hasn't been said before. But there is one bone I'd like to pick. It's the Vietnam Vet issue. Most people seem to accept it at face value. But we are never really sure that Travis ever served in the military, let alone Vietnam. It's doubtful that a semi-literate simpleton would have passed the endless series of mental, psychological tests needed for entrance into military service. It's highly likely that Mr. Bickle's rejection from society began at his home-town's recruiting office, long before his fatefull move to New york.

Many Vietnam vets single this film out for (unintentionally?) creating the negative image of the crazed veteran, still accepted by the American public to this day. Still, this film is a shining example of what the American Cinema was capable of doing once upon a time...