Review of Taxi Driver (1976) by Kevin P — 10 Jun 2018

Strengths: There's a reason this film is considered a classic. Robert De Niro (Travis Bickle) gives a performance that isn't just among his best ever, but among the best in cinema history. It's that good. Travis is a portrait of the ugliest side of humanity and the acting is hauntingly great. Watching the character's evolution throughout the film is an experience that has rarely been matched. Though the movie doesn't have some big budget, it is shot in a way that makes the most of everything. It's gritty, just like the New York setting. Though Jodie Foster (Iris) isn't in the movie for long, she makes a lasting impression as the young prostitute. There are so many standout scenes. From the tense moments of wondering if Travis will go through with the shooting of the candidate to the bloodbath battle in the final minutes, it's intense and it all works. I appreciated how it told a story about PTSD without beating viewers over the head with it.

Weaknesses: I do think that the film is put over the top by De Niro's performance. Without it, the story would lend itself to being a very good movie, but not a great one. There are several scenes that feel long and somewhat unneeded. There are a handful of moments that seem a bit over the top. I also didn't really care for Cybill Shepherd (Betsy) and her performance.

Overall: It is a classic and it is a must see film because Robert De Niro gives an all-time great performance. Check it out purely to see some incredible acting, but the script is great and it's one of Scorsese's best.