Review of Taxi Driver (1976) by Sazid A — 27 Aug 2012

Relying on all encompassing cinematography that captures the evils and darkness in society with true grittiness, ingenious fast-paced, disorienting editing, actors that create somewhat exaggerated undersold stereotypes of the period, brilliant direction from mastermind Scorsese, and resounding music queues that remind the viewer that the horrors displayed are those of everyday life; this film truly expresses the overall frustration of the post Vietnam period in American history.

Taking place on the dark, foggy streets of New York, cab driver Travis (De Niro) finds that his mind begins to deteriorate upon viewing the true terrors of the scum of the city. As his mental state weakens he, in-coincidentally becomes involved with a political worker and a young prostitute, two positions that do not seem very different in the least.

The acting performances of De Niro and Jodie Foster, the young prostitute named Iris, are some of the most sympathetic, troubling performances ever put on screen. The story, spun flawlessly by Scorsese, draws the viewer in and forces one to question moral ethics, the value society places on human life, the true search for one's own sexual identity, and the troubling strain a violent society can have on an individual.

The film moves at such a fast pace that one will be unaware of its two hour run time. The film is a must see, well worth anyone's time.