Taxi Driver

Taxi Driver puts you in the shoe of a cabbie named Travis in 1970 New York. He has trouble sleeping at night and as a result, he works long hours driving his taxi all around the city picking up customers. Throughout this journey on a daily basis, he witnesses all sorts of dirt and scum on the streets. Like an open sewer running free. Or better described in his own words: Whores, skunk pussies, buggers, queens, fairies, dopers, junkies, sick, venal… It's dirty, harsh and violent, especially the treatment against women.

In many, many ways, Martin Scorsese took a huge risk with this feature. It is rare you see a protagonist from a niche society like this. On top of that, Travis is clearly battling depression. He is alone and definitely a social outcast. There's a brilliant sequence where he brings the girl he likes to a movie, but the film turns out to be a porno which ultimately shatters their relationship forever. He's that out of touch, because it's a genuine mistake! He has been alone for that long in life without a partner. He doesn't know how to approach a fellow society member based on socially accepted norms. But in that same aforementioned sequence, you could easily tell Travis is a good man with a good heart. He is trying, he really is. The first time he approaches the campaign booth gal and the rest of the coffee shop conversation that follows between them is truly sweet.

Since the rejection hits Travis hard, he is impregnated with bad, dangerous thoughts after. As he gradually descend the spiraling stairs of insanity before completely degenerating into a sociopath, he starts purchasing firearms and practicing with them with all sorts of wardrobe upgrades. But even then, the story successfully informs you how different and good Travis is compared to the rest. He doesn't resort to drugs. He puts his Glock to apt use by helping a convenience store owner out of a burglar situation. In the midst of all this, he is introduced to an underage prostitute ring operating in the city by one jackass named Sport, played fantastically by Harvey Keitel! An amazing chemistry forms between young Iris (Jodie Foster) and Travis and at this point in time, everything becomes clear. Another powerful change in Travis' character arc arrives. All the ingredients have teamed up to brew the perfect, insane storm in our protagonist's head. He now knows where he should exact his rightful act.

Scorsese's pictures are always full of simple, captivating lines embedded in simple, captivating scenes. Travis toying with the Secret Service Agent, gun retailer parade in a hotel room, the director's cameo about what a .44 Magnum could do to a woman's face and pussy plus the climactic intense shootout are examples of sheer brilliance! Scorsese's decision to end the show with a hopeful imagination that Travis is alive and the girl seeked him at the end is a bittersweet touch. And Robert De Niro's performance here is just another reminder why he is and always will be one of the greatest actors of all time, if not the greatest!