A movie review written by Lee Sonogan

1hr54mins (1976) Crime, drama

Wizard: Look at it this way. A man takes a job, you know? And that job – I mean, like that – That becomes what he is. You know, like – You do a thing and that’s what you are. Like I’ve been a cabbie for thirteen years. Ten years at night. I still don’t own my own cab. You know why? Because I don’t want to. That must be what I want. To be on the night shift drivin’ somebody else’s cab. You understand? I mean, you become – You get a job, you become the job. One guy lives in Brooklyn. One guy lives in Sutton Place. You got a lawyer. Another guy’s a doctor. Another guy dies. Another guy gets well. People are born, y’know? I envy you, your youth. Go on, get laid, get drunk. Do anything. You got no choice, anyway. I mean, we’re all fucked. More or less, ya know.

At the core of this movie is an important diary of a madman disturbing to the level of something intriguing forced on you with powerful writing and acting performance. Young Robert De Niro sets a tone that is still relevant to this day. Directed by Martin Scorsese who has created some of the most interesting films of this kind, it’s 1.9 million budget made $28.4 million back.

IMDB describes this movie as: A mentally unstable veteran works as a nighttime taxi driver in New York City, where the perceived decadence and sleaze fuels his urge for violent action by attempting to liberate a presidential campaign worker and an underage prostitute.

Nearly reaching 2 hours, Taxi Driver seemingly goes on longer in a good way. Highly regarded as a masterpiece by many, it is at least touching the edge of it. Plot-wise isolation and alienation gives the main character all the charisma in the world while dealing with many conflicting issues. Emotionally thrilling if you can empathise with it, you shall be hooked within its engagements.

Concluding, the last half continues to build and delivers on its impactful ending. Unforgettable for many reasons, of course, I recommend it. Having a cult following to this day, it’s message is at the peak of movie history regardless of some critics comment ‘Stil don’t get it?’ or something else that is necessary. Overall this has got to be my favourite movie to come out of the seventies. Also, check out my monologue below of one of the most famous scenes that was totally improvised.

8.4/10

Travis Bickle: Listen, you fuckers, you screwheads. Here is a man who would not take it anymore. A man who stood up against the scum, the cunts, the dogs, the filth, the shit. Here is a man who stood up.

https://entertainmentcultureonline.com/

https://ungroovygords.com/