Review of Taxi Driver (1976) by Huseyn B — 03 Oct 2012

After first viewing this film may not even like it, seem too hard and cruel (I wonder what a recognized American playwright Tennessee Williams, who led the 1976 Cannes Film Festival jury, the award winning "Taxi Driver" as a major prize, yet for making this verdict complained growth violence in society and in the movies). After the story, the taxi driver Travis from New York, a former member of the Vietnam War, which is difficult adjusting to a normal life, originally wanted to make an attempt at political elections, and as a result of this suit, "carnage" in a brothel. Screenwriter Paul Schrader later admitted that he based his story on the diaries of Arthur Bremer, who almost became a killer.

The narrative does not at first has to compassion and empathy. Only the second or even the third time can see the real drama of loneliness and restlessness of a man who is forced to work at night in the empty, cold, "shadow", a dark, hostile - hellish night in New York. And the picture of 33-year-old Martin Scorsese - not a thriller about a murderer who was offended by a beautiful young girl from the staff for the preparation of the election of the American president, and then made a retaliation for the fact that even exist in the world underage prostitutes.

Clue to the tape - how contrasting day and night appearance of the same town, its façade and the wrong side (operator Michael Chapman tried to glory). Composer Bernard Herrmann, who created a disturbing atmosphere of action films of Alfred Hitchcock, in his death-work (by the way, "Taxi Driver" in the closing credits is dedicated Herrmann) contrasted the "darkness of life" tunes with blues tone that still inspires hope (this kind of Mo 'Better Blues). Before us - a kind of "spiritual" suffering from the injustice of the world and misunderstanding fellow lonely soul "midnight taxi driver", as if New York's Orpheus in the Underworld. And, of course, played by Robert De Niro, DC actor and "alter ego" of Martin Scorsese, allows us to see the real human drama hero who thrown on the side of life, and out of desperation he threw a ruthless challenge to society and the system.

However, following the traditions of more sober and bitter paintings 70s about "rogue states of America," the director concludes his band of "absolute finder with a gun" Magnum "in the hands" (the exact words of one Polish critic) deceptive happy ending. Travis returned to the hospital and once again became a taxi driver in New York City night. New circle of hell?