|
| Taxi Driver |
|
  (9/10)
|
Runtime: 120 |
| Public Rating: 9.56 (50 votes) |
Director: Martin Scorsese |
MPAA Rating:  |
| Genre: Drama / Thriller |
Year: 1976 |
| Writer(s): Paul Schrader |
| Distributor: 1 |
| Reviewed by: Dan Smith |
| |
Robert DeNiro gives what will be among his most memorable performances as 26-year-old Travis Bickle, a New York City cab driver who is slowly driven insane by what he perceives as the “filth and the scum” of the city. Bickle begins driving a cab because he can’t sleep, and “wants to work long hours” but it seems the longer he works the more driven he is to cleanse some of that filth. Although a bit visually dated, Taxi Driver is a well acted, powerfully written film that traces Bickle’s descent into madness in a way that draws the viewer in.
Bickle is eventually obsessed by two people; Betsy, played by Cybill Shepard, who is a campaign volunteer for a presidential hopeful Charles Palantine (Leonard Harris), and Iris (Jodie Foster), a twelve-and-a-half-year old prostitute who has an abusive pimp named Sport. The degree of social separation under which Travis lives is highlighted when he finally gets Betsy to agree to go to a movie with him, and winds up taking her to an adult movie theater on the first (and only) date. Left without Betsy, Travis turns his attention to Iris, and takes it upon himself to help Iris out of her situation; whether she wants his help or not.
With a supporting cast of (a very young) Albert Brooks, and Peter Boyles, and the superb if dark cinematography, this film is one that no fan of DeNiro’s should miss. Taxi Driver is a smooth ride down the underbelly of the city, and a film that is an American classic.
DTS
|
 Printable Version
|
Do you agree/disagree with this review of Taxi Driver? Let your opinions be heard in our forum.
|
Buy the Poster of Taxi Driver (Click Here)
|
|
|
|
