MJ5K's Review

Summary - Perfect 5.0

In my first viewing of Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver, I thought it was a very well made film and respected the fact that it was in fact one of the greatest films ever made. However, I simply didn’t like it as much as other people did. There was something missing that made Scorsese’s other films so great, that little spark that worked well in Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and even Casino. But in my second viewing I saw what made this film a true masterpiece. And boy was it clear.

Taxi Driver is the story of Travis Bickle. Travis is an alienated insomniac. He grows tired of the scum and the cockroaches that infest the streets. He is soon driven to violence and even goes as far as to turn to violence, even going as far as to attempt to save a young hooker from her pimp.

What holds this film together are the brilliant performances and the shockingly brutal reality of the effects of alienation. As we see life through Travis’ eyes we sympathize with him on his quest to find peace in this world.

To put it simply, Taxi Driver is one of the greatest films ever made. A must see.

Acting - Really Great 4.5

Like Raging Bull four years later, the whole film pretty much stands on the shoulders of Robert De Niro. His portrayal of Travis is simply riveting. As he delivers his monologues one by one he pulls us in to the movie and even sends shivers down our spines.

Although this is De Niro’s movie, there’s a memorable performance or two to be found in the film. Jodie Foster’s young stripper, Harvey Keitel’s pimp, and even Peter Boyle’s Wizard turn in memorable performances. The one that stands out the most is Jodie Foster, turning in one of her earliest and best performances of her career.

Film - Perfect 5.0

The cinematography is absolutely brilliant. This was where we were truely introduced to Scorsese’s quick editing and zoom in’s. The musical score by Bernard Hermann is also fantastic and quite memorable.

Edge - Horrid 3.8

This is a truely shocking film. There is quite a bit of violence and the amount of gore, sexual content, and language practically leans toward an NC-17 (or at the time an X rating). So don’t let any small children watch this.

Reality - Glib 1.5

2 Comments

• Fire at Will! Jan 24, 2009 2:09AM

  Regarding willjros’s Review
  Thanks Wick! This should stand as a warning – some reviewers will club together and champion movies, but at the end of it all it’s the individual who decides if the hype is worth it! I’m glad to add a dissenting voice to the discussion.

• Wick Jan 18, 2009 1:06AM

  Way to go Will! Take a stand. No sacred cows here. More precisely, no unslaughtered sacred cows.

  Its been at least a couple decades since I saw Taxi Driver, but your review rings true to my recollection. Nice job nailing it.

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