Taxi Driver is a 1976 American crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader. It stars Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, and Cybill Shepherd. The film was screened at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Palme d’Or.
Travis Bickie is a cab driver. He picks up passengers and takes them to their destinations.
Along the way, Travis has interesting conversations with his passengers.
One night, Travis picks up a prostitute named Iris. He takes her to the docks where he has sex with her. Later, Iris asks Travis to take her to the airport. Read on to know more about the storyline and reviews of the movie.
Movie length: 1h 54m
Genre: Drama
Release Year: 1976
IMDB Rating: 8.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Box Office:28.4 million USD
Contents
Storyline
The film is a crime thriller about a New York City cabbie who becomes involved in the underworld while trying to make enough money to support his teenage daughter. The original score was composed by Bernard Herrmann.
The cabbie, Travis Bickle (De Niro), is a lonesome man who drives around New York City picking up fares. One day, he picks up Mrs. Slater (Shepherd), and the two of them start chatting.
She tells him about her problems with her abusive husband and how she’s exhausted from trying to make ends meet. He offers to give her a ride home, but when they get there she insists on getting out of the car in front of the house.
Travis follows her and they continue to talk. Eventually, Mrs. Slater confides in Travis that she’s been having an affair with a high-ranking government official, who is apparently planning on leaving his wife for her.
He promises to take care of things, but before he can do anything else he is pulled over by the cops for driving without a license plate (he was previously caught speeding). The police believe that Travis is responsible and try to arrest him, but he manages to get away.
Before long, Travis has become obsessed with Mrs. Slater and begins following her everywhere she goes. He starts to make phone calls to her and even follows her inside the house after she got home from work one day. Eventually, he decides that he wants to kidnap and rape Mrs. Slater, but when he tries to do so things go terribly wrong…
Short Review
Taxi Driver is a classic American film about a mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran named Travis Bickle who takes to the streets of New York City to earn money as a taxi driver. The plot centers around Travis’ violent rampage against those he deems responsible for his wartime problems, including members of the city’s political elite and civilians he believes have been mistreating him.
At its heart, the story follows a young girl named Sophie as she navigates her way through life and love. Many comedic moments are sprinkled throughout, while also dealing with more serious themes such as anxiety and bullying. Overall, it was an enjoyable read that will make you laugh and cry at different points.
Despite its graphic violence and outdated depiction of gender roles, Taxi Driver has maintained iconic status among both critics and audiences alike since its release.
This movie is an incredible thriller with a classic feel which will keep you intrigued until the very end! I really enjoyed watching it and would definitely recommend it if you enjoy crime dramas or suspenseful movies!
Popular Reviews on Taxi Driver 1976
“The Taxi Driver is a supremely stylish, expertly made film that completely engrosses the viewer. Scorsese has created an unforgettable character in Travis Bickle and his intense story of redemption is both compelling and moving.”
—Hollywood Reporter
“Travis Bickle, the lonesome cabbie played by Scorsese with such intense energy and psychological precision, is one of cinema’s great characters. Outstanding acting from Robert De Niro grounds this towering work.”
—Variety
“Travis Bickle is an unhinged and unforgettable antihero, played with weariness and chilling precision by the great Robert De Niro. A literate, raw portrait of alienation and rage in the late 20th century, The Taxi Driver remains one of cinema’s most uncompromising masterpieces.”
—TIME
“Travis Bickle (Scorsese) is one of cinema’s most enduring antiheroes – a maniacally driven man trailed by destruction wherever he goes. It’s no wonder then that Scorsese turned him into such an absorbing study in obsession.”
—Los Angeles Times
“Travis Bickle is a riveting and unforgettable character, brilliantly portrayed by Robert De Niro in one of his most memorable roles.
—USA Today
“One of the great American films, a deeply personal story about an individual’s search for meaning in a chaotic world.”
—Chicago Sun-Times
Critic Review on Taxi Driver
“Travis Bickle is one of cinema’s most indelible, unforgiving antiheroes. Robert De Niro gives a brilliantly intense and deeply human performance as the lonesome cabbie.”
—Entertainment Weekly
“The Taxi Driver transcends its exploitation origins to become an assured, powerful film that deserves to be reckoned with on a par with Scorsese’s masterpieces such as Mean Streets and The Godfather.”
—A.V. Club
“Travis Bickle is one of the great unsung American heroes, a loner so deeply lost in his own world that he can barely function outside it… Inspired by Hitch’s TV series, Scorsese and De Niro nail the character’s manic intensity.”
—Uncut
“Robert De Niro gives an extraordinarily powerful performance as Travis Bickle, a taxi driver driven mad by his repressed rage over his dreary life.”
—The New York Times
“Robert De Niro gives one of the great performances in cinema history as Travis Bickle, a lonesome cabbie driven mad by his own isolation and anger.”
—The Guardian
“Possessing an unerring instinct for drama, Scorsese creates a portrait of psychological intensity and almost unbearable power in this revelatory film about one man’s search for meaning in an unsettling era.”
—Los Angeles Times
Why is the movie Taxi Driver so famous?
Taxi Driver is one of the most iconic films in cinema history and Robert De Niro’s brilliant performance as Travis Bickle is widely considered to be one of the greatest acting performances ever.
The film has been praised for its intensity and psychological power, and it has often been cited as an inspiration for later movies such as Scorsese’s crime dramas Mean Streets and The Godfather.
Besides, Taxi Driver is also one of the Few Classic Films That Can Be Watched Over And Over Again and Hold up Your Plot with No Disappointments.
Why you should watch Taxi Driver?
If you’re a fan of gritty crime dramas, then Taxi Driver is definitely worth watching. Robert De Niro’s brilliant performance as Travis Bickle is unforgettable and the overall film is packed full of tense thrills. If you’re looking for an iconic movie that will stay with you for a long time, then Taxi Driver definitely deserves your attention.
De Niro’s brilliant performance makes the movie an intense and compelling watch, and it’ll leave you wondering what made Travis Bickle so driven. And the director Scorsese’s immersive filmmaking makes Taxi Driver one of the most memorable and iconic movies in cinema history. That is why you should definitely consider giving Taxi Driver
The Performance of the Cast and Crew
- Acting
Robert De Niro is simply brilliant as Travis Bickle, and his performance is highly acclaimed. His intense and riveting portrayal of the troubled character is unforgettable, and he convincingly brings out the intensity and power in Travis Bickle’s character.
Jodie Foster also shines in a brief but intriguing role as Joan Stanton, while Cybill Shepherd provides support as Betsy Ross. The rest of the cast performs admirably, with Paul Schafer providing solid support as Jerry Langdon.
- Direction and Writing
Martin Scorsese directs Taxi Driver flawlessly, expertly bringing the gritty and intense violence to life on the big screen. His writing is powerful and atmospheric, gripping you from the beginning and never letting go.
- Music
The music in Taxi Driver is spine-tingling and atmospheric, perfectly fitting the grim and intense atmosphere of the film.
- Technical Qualities
Shot on location in New York City, Taxi Driver features some stunning visuals that are sure to captivate audiences. The gritty violence is violently realistic, shocking, and powerful.
- Overall Quality
With its iconic performances, captivating direction, and uncompromising storytelling, Taxi Driver is an unforgettable experience that’s sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re a fan of gritty crime dramas or simply looking for an excellent movie to watch, Taxi Driver should be at the top of your list.
Awards won by Taxi Driver
The Academy Award for Best Picture
The Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama
The BAFTA Awards for Best Film and Best Director
Conclusion
The Taxi Driver is a movie about a man who has lost his job and his home and is living in the depths of despair. He takes up driving taxis to make ends meet but finds himself drawn to the characters and life he encounters during his shifts.
Ultimately, the Taxi Driver finds meaning and purpose in his life through the people he meets and the experiences he has. He learns to appreciate the simple things in life, such as spending time with friends and helping others. This changes his outlook on life and leads him back towards happiness. The Taxi Driver learns that there are still things worth fighting for in this world – even if they’re just moments of peace and happiness.
FAQs
Is Taxi Driver 1976 Based on a True Story?
No, Taxi Driver is not based on a true story. But the movie does explore the themes of despair and helping others find hope. That is why the movie has been praised as a powerful and realistic portrayal of the city streets in New York during the late 1970s.
Why Is Taxi Driver So Famous?
Taxi Driver is famous for its groundbreaking direction, iconic performances by Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese, and uncompromising storytelling. These elements combine to make the movie a memorable experience that will leave a lasting impression on audiences.
What Did the Ending of Taxi Driver Mean?
The ending of Taxi Driver is ambiguous and may leave different interpretations among audiences. However, one key theme that emerges is the importance of finding meaning in life. The Taxi Driver learns that there are still things worth fighting for – even if they’re just moments of peace and happiness.
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