Four stars from the get go

Rating: 10/10 (23 July 2018)

I didn't even know this movie was directed by Martin Scorsese. I was quite impressed by such an all star cast, even Frank Boyle. Wait, was he always bald? This film's plot just seems to go all over the place. I didn't even know this was the movie with the famous line, "You talking to me?". That seems like such a generic thing to say, but I still think of it every time I say that.
The plot is that Robert DeNiro plays Travis, a taxi driver (duh!) who is dissatisfied with his job. He falls for a woman named Betsy, but their relationship ends badly. He tries to become physically stronger and more intimidating by working out and using all sorts of weapons. He comes across an underage prostitute named Iris. He decides to free her from her pimp. This is a movie where there's a lot going on, but it's still easy to pay attention to, which is always a plus.
Leonard Maltin shockingly only gave this film two out of four stars, complaining that it was too violent. Honestly, it's not really violent until the climax. What matters is how unbelievably 70's this movie is. It works so well as a time capsule, making you reflect on pop culture at that time. This film became infamous because it allegedly inspired Ronald Reagan's failed assassin, who wanted to impress Jodie Foster. Ironic seeing as how the film itself features a failed assassination, but no one is wounded. ****