The Story of Loneliness Through the Perspective of an Isolated Man

Rating: 10/10 (16 February 2019)

The 1970s was one of the most revolutionary decades in motion picture history. Because of the creative freedom given to filmmakers in Hollywood like never before, the world began to witness gems from the up and coming talents all around, such as Coppola, Spielberg, de Palma, Bogdanovich, Lucas, Friedkin and many more. One notable filmmaker who really made it big with a knock out psychological drama during this time was Martin Scorsese. Even though he had made other films before, Taxi Driver is the one flick that changed his career forever due to its worldwide acclaim from critics and audiences. To this day, it remains an incredibly fascinating insight on loneliness and isolation.
The main storyline revolves around a disturbed loner of a New York taxi driver named Travis Bickle, who roams around the violent streets while losing his general sight of reality. Upon meeting a campaign worker Betsy and a child prostitute named Iris, Travis becomes hellbent on saving the world his way, even if it means to take the controversial step. At its core, this film is a representation of how feeling isolated from the world can mess people up. Travis, especially being a Vietnam veteran, bases his inner negativity on the general bleak vibe of New York City itself, as it's a place filled with people who he just can't be with. In addition to the psychos and women who don't have much respect for him, there's also plenty of disgusting creeps and losers who somehow manage to approach women without much effort. It isn't until he discovers Iris and hears the plotting of a crazy New Yorker bent on killing his wife for cheating on him that Travis feels he has a reason to take down the sleaze bags in the corrupt city once and for all; a rebel is born out of his shell.
What's really interesting about Travis is how the film intentionally leaves out certain details about his overall character in order to present who he is now. There are many moments in the film, particularly at some of the political rallies, where he mostly looks around smiling strangely, yet they convey so much by showing an intriguingly chilling side to the guy worth questioning. Evocative characterization works best when a certain figure is shown to be who they are through emotional resonance, and Travis could be one of the most interesting characters worth dissecting through anyone's point of view. In addition, the acting is fantastic, especially with Robert De Niro giving the perfect contrast between Travis' softer side and psychopathic persona. Cybill Shepherd gives the most amount of humanity in Betsy, Albert Brooks creates the perfect amount of awkwardness in Tom, and a then young Jodie Foster comes off very genuine as a child under the influence who may have the brighter picture than Travis might regarding what could become of her, all with the right amount of spunk and pathos.
When it comes to technical aspects worth admiring, one notable scene that sticks out is where Travis is rejected by Betsy on the phone as the camera pans away to a hallway. Scorsese has stated that the purpose of this shot is to peer away from the pain inflicted on Travis at said moment. Even if we're not seeing the man himself, the context of the scene is enough to make one feel the same amount of suffering the guy is holding within. In contrast, the more gritty and violent scenes can get slowed down to display the horror Travis inflicts upon the criminals, making them appropriately shocking. The cinematography by Michael Chapman provides a good mixture of mundane daytime events and hauntingly grim nights in such a tumultuous city filled with crime and lowlives. Bernard Hermann's score also succeeds in creating subtle paranoia through his famously chilling scores that elevate the already grieve stricken emotions that plague both Travis and his outlook on where he lives.
Is there any reason not to call this a timeless masterpiece? Taxi Driver is, has and always will be remembered as one of the most psychologically traumatic films ever made, both in style and in substance. Two of the most recurring themes/tropes in many of Scorsese's films is modernized crime and conflict within crooks, so this film could be his crowning achievement in that department. I don't think I can say this is a must watch enough; it's a flick worth seeing at least once just to gain the experience from a ruined character. It may mess with you, but it will make you think long and hard about what you stand for, whether you're lonely or not.