Are you talking to me?

Rating: 10/10 (24 May 2007)

"Taxi Driver" chronicles the life of Travis Bickle, a misanthropic Vietnam veteran who takes to driving a taxi at nights to combat his insomnia. This film is not for those looking for a ray of sunshine; it depicts Travis' descent further into mental illness as he becomes disgusted by the night life in the city seen from his taxi.
The film is engaging and thought-provoking from beginning to end. Even seeing Travis simply observing the streets in his taxi is immersive with the help of Bernard Herrmann's perfect score. The film's performances are all top-notch from Robert De Niro to the supporting cast. Robert De Niro expertly creates a subtle and memorable characterization in Travis Bickle.
This film has many classic moments, particularly the famous "Are you talking to me?" scene. It builds up slowly with nice touches such as the scrawled diary of Travis to an unexpected but satisfying conclusion. I recommend "Taxi Driver" to anyone willing to see the film's grim atmosphere.