Taxi Driver (1976)

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Movie Info

Movie Genres

Year Released

1976

Directed by

Martin Scorsese

Top Cast

MPAA Rating

R [Restricted]

Runtime

114 mins.

Release date

February 9, 1976

Budget (In USD)

$1,900,000

Revenue (In USD)

$28,573,323

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Movie Overview | Taxi Driver (1976)

Tagline
On every street in every city, there's a nobody who dreams of being a somebody.

Synopsis
A mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran works as a night-time taxi driver in New York City where the perceived decadence and sleaze feed his urge for violent action.

Writer
Paul Schrader

Producer
Julia Phillips,
Michael Phillips

Storyline

To deal with sleeplessness and loneliness, Travis Bickle drives NYC night shift taxis. He journals “you’re only as healthy as you feel.” and goes 42nd Street porn theaters. Urban violence and destruction appal him, and he wants “the slime off the streets.”

Travis loves Betsy, Charles Palantine presidential campaign employee. She takes Travis’ coffee at her campaign offices. Betsy likes Travis and dates again. Travis pushes Betsy away by taking her to a porn cinema on their date. Rejects her. He’s expelled for shouting at her at campaign headquarters.

Travis confides in Wizard, a fellow cab driver, about his violent impulses after an existential crisis and prostitutes. Wizard ignores them and says he’ll be fine. Travis works out hard to release anger. A cab driver suggests Easy Andy, a black market gun dealer, to Travis, who buys four weapons. Travis practise drawing his handguns at home and alters one to launch from his sleeve. He attends Palantine safety rallies. A nighttime burglar robbing Travis’ friend’s convenience store is shot and killed.

Travis often sees 12-year-old child prostitute Iris walking around the city. He begs her to quit prostitution. Travis attends Palantine-killing protests with a mohawk. After seeing him unzip his jacket and put his hand inside, Secret Service officers follow him. Iris’ brothel pimp Sport gets shot by Travis one night. Arriving, he shoots Sport and Iris’s mafioso customer. Travis shoots and kills two. The bouncer is then stabbed in the hand and shot in the head with a shoe knife. Travis’ suicide attempt fails due to ammunition shortage. Deeply hurt, he tears on a sofa with Iris. Travis frantically mimics shooting himself in the head with his finger as cops approach.

Injury puts Travis in coma. The press deems him a brave vigilante, and he is not held for the crimes. Parents thank Iris. Travis works and meets Betsy as a fare after growing out his hair. Betsy follows his news and gets along. Travis smiles and drives away without her money, leaving her home. After seeing something in his rearview mirror, he becomes upset.

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Taxi Driver - official 40th anniversary reissue trailer

TAXI DRIVER [1976] - Official Trailer (HD)

Editor review

1 review

Taxi Driver: A Dark Descent into the Psyche of Isolation

September 19, 2024 (Updated: January 04, 2025)

Overall rating

4.4

Entertainment Factor

5.0

Story

5.0

Actors Performance

4.0

Cinematography

4.0

Sound Track

4.0

"Taxi Driver," directed by Martin Scorsese, is a 1976 psychological thriller that has left an indelible mark on cinema with its haunting portrayal of urban alienation and moral decay. Starring Robert De Niro in one of his most iconic roles, the film delves into the mind of a lonely and disturbed individual navigating the gritty streets of New York City. In this review, we will explore the film's compelling narrative, De Niro's unforgettable performance, and its exploration of isolation and disillusionment.

A Synopsis of "Taxi Driver"
The film follows Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro), a Vietnam War veteran who becomes a taxi driver in New York City. Plagued by insomnia and disillusioned with the world around him, Travis becomes increasingly isolated and disturbed. As he witnesses the city's moral decay, he becomes obsessed with saving a young prostitute named Iris (Jodie Foster) and enacting his own form of justice. The film builds to a violent and explosive climax, leaving viewers questioning the boundaries between sanity and madness.

A Compelling Narrative
"Taxi Driver" offers a compelling narrative that explores the depths of human isolation and the impact of urban decay on the psyche. Paul Schrader's screenplay is both gritty and introspective, capturing the inner turmoil of its protagonist. The film's atmospheric depiction of 1970s New York City serves as a backdrop for Travis's descent into madness, creating a haunting and immersive experience.

Robert De Niro's Unforgettable Performance
Robert De Niro delivers a tour de force performance as Travis Bickle, embodying the character's complexity and inner conflict with remarkable intensity. His portrayal of Travis's gradual unraveling is both chilling and mesmerizing, capturing the character's vulnerability and volatility. De Niro's commitment to the role, including his famous "You talkin' to me?" scene, has solidified Travis Bickle as one of cinema's most iconic characters.

Exploration of Isolation and Disillusionment
"Taxi Driver" delves into themes of isolation, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The film examines the impact of societal neglect and moral decay on the individual, highlighting the fine line between heroism and madness. Through Travis's journey, the film raises questions about the nature of violence, redemption, and the human condition.

Conclusion
"Taxi Driver" (1976) is a cinematic masterpiece that offers a dark and unflinching exploration of isolation and disillusionment. With its compelling narrative, Robert De Niro's unforgettable performance, and Martin Scorsese's masterful direction, the film continues to resonate with audiences as a powerful and thought-provoking work of art. "Taxi Driver" remains a timeless classic that challenges viewers to confront the complexities of the human psyche.

Imon Reza Top 10 Reviewer 37 reviews

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Overall rating

4.4

Entertainment Factor

5.0(1)

Story

4.0(1)

Actors Performance

5.0(1)

Cinematography

4.0(1)

Sound Track

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Taxi Driver: A Gritty Portrait of Urban Despair and Isolation

September 14, 2024 (Updated: January 04, 2025)

Overall rating

4.4

Entertainment Factor

5.0

Story

4.0

Actors Performance

5.0

Cinematography

4.0

Sound Track

4.0

Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver (1976) is a seminal work in American cinema, offering an unflinching exploration of urban decay and psychological turmoil. Set against the gritty backdrop of 1970s New York City, the film delivers a harrowing and intensely immersive experience, anchored by a groundbreaking performance from Robert De Niro.

De Niro stars as Travis Bickle, a disaffected Vietnam War veteran who becomes a taxi driver in a city rife with corruption and moral decay. Bickle’s descent into madness is portrayed with unsettling precision, showcasing De Niro’s extraordinary ability to convey deep-seated frustration and isolation. His performance is marked by a raw intensity that propels the film’s psychological depth and keeps audiences riveted.

Scorsese’s direction is both bold and incisive, capturing the seedy underbelly of New York with a voyeuristic lens that emphasizes the film’s themes of alienation and violence. The cinematography by Michael Chapman plays a crucial role in establishing the film’s dark and oppressive atmosphere, with its neon-lit streets and shadowy corners reflecting Bickle’s deteriorating mental state.

The screenplay, written by Paul Schrader, is a masterclass in character study and social commentary. It delves into Bickle’s fractured psyche and examines his attempts to find purpose in a world that seems increasingly indifferent. The film’s dialogue is sharp and often haunting, contributing to the overall sense of unease and existential despair.

Jodie Foster delivers a standout performance as Iris, a young prostitute whom Bickle becomes fixated on, adding a layer of poignancy and moral complexity to the narrative. Her portrayal of Iris is both vulnerable and resilient, serving as a foil to Bickle’s increasingly erratic behavior.

Taxi Driver is punctuated by Bernard Herrmann’s iconic score, which enhances the film’s tense and foreboding tone. The music complements the visuals and narrative, creating a sense of dread that lingers throughout.

In summary, Taxi Driver is a profound and unsettling exploration of loneliness, violence, and the struggle for redemption. Scorsese’s film remains a landmark in cinematic history, notable for its raw portrayal of societal alienation and its exploration of the darker aspects of human nature. With its powerful performances, striking visuals, and incisive storytelling, Taxi Driver continues to resonate as a vital and influential piece of American cinema.

Metadiv Studio Top 10 Reviewer 30 reviews