HUNM246-F1WW - Taxi Driver

Rating: 7/10 (1 November 2009)

Robert DeNiro plays Travis Bickle, a Vietnam veteran who takes a job drive a taxi around city. During Travis's time behind the wheel he becomes obsessed with the low life scum that haunts his city (Phillips & Scorsese, 1976). As the movie progress's Travis starts to lose touch with the real world and becomes determined to rid his city of crime and corrupt politicians. Travis finds his out let in the form of a twelve year ago prostitute, Iris (Jodi Foster), whom he tries to save (Phillips & Scorsese, 1976). This is a dark film that looks at the under below of society, a film that is terrifying in one sense. Yet this film could also be a statement to those of us that are in high power, city or state government. It shows that just one person with little care for himself/herself can, and very well may take the law into his/her own hands. Taxi Driver is a wonderful look into the minds of people who just have had enough, enough of the lies, enough of people not trusting people. This film also looks into the minds of those people that are part of the crime; they are part of the reason why Travis wants to clean up the city. During one scene in the film Iris jumped into Travis cab and told him to drive, just get her out of there (Phillips & Scorsese, 1976). You can tell by the lighting of that scene that Martin Scorsese wanted to keep Iris face and even her age a mystery, of the views and from Travis. But by the time Travis could leave Iris's pimp, Sport (Harvey Keitel), grabbed her out of the cab and forced her to leave. Then later on Travis finds Iris, and tries to convince her to leave, leave her Sport, leave the city, just go back home. But Iris is so lost in the world of drugs, pain, and mind tricks, she believes that Sport loves her and will take care of her (Phillips & Scorsese, 1976). Travis Brickle tried turning to Charles Palantine (Leonard Harris), a politician who was running for the primary, so he may have his chance winning the Presidency. But just like many politician's then and now he danced around the question, stating that it is harder then Travis may think to change the city, even the county (Phillips & Scorsese, 1976). Between Charles Palantine and Iris, Travis had lost control of himself, lost himself to the other side of the law. Travis tried to murder Charles Palantine, and when that failed he turned his mind towards Iris (Phillips & Scorsese, 1976). As long as there is crime, filth, and corruption in life Taxi Driver will be a classic. Taxi Driver is a film that, hopefully will never driver somebody to become Travis, the crazed hero of his city.