“Taxi Driver” is a crime drama about a military veteran who takes a job as a taxi driver in New York City. His mental state seems to deteriorate as he works nights in the stress-filled big city. Director Martin Scorsese (“Mean Streets” 1973) put together a top-rate film with great production values, a wonderful musical score, riveting performances, and excellent writing by screenwriter Paul Schrader.
The star of the show is Robert De Niro in the title character. He received widespread acclaim for his performance as a Vietnam vet with what we know today as PTSD. Jodie Foster was amazing in the part of a teenage prostitute, which brought her into international superstardom. Both were nominated for Academy Awards, two of four for this film. The other non-winners include Best Picture (Michael Phillips and Julia Phillips) and Best Musical Score (Bernard Herrmann).
Co-stars include Cybill Shepard, Harvey Keitel, Albert Brooks, Peter Boyle, Joe Spinell, and Leonard Harris as Senator Palantine. The watchable “Taxi Driver” was a big hit at the box office for Bill/Phillips Productions, Italo-Judeo Productions, and Columbia Pictures. The film did generate controversy with the revelation that it inspired John Hinkley Jr.’s attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981. The excessive violence and gore, especially in the concluding scenes, were largely blamed as the culprit.
Taxi Driver (1976)
cinema
My Review
“Taxi Driver” is a crime drama about a military veteran who takes a job as a taxi driver in New York City. His mental state seems to deteriorate as he works nights in the stress-filled big city. Director Martin Scorsese (“Mean Streets” 1973) put together a top-rate film with great production values, a wonderful musical score, riveting performances, and excellent writing by screenwriter Paul Schrader.
The star of the show is Robert De Niro in the title character. He received widespread acclaim for his performance as a Vietnam vet with what we know today as PTSD. Jodie Foster was amazing in the part of a teenage prostitute, which brought her into international superstardom. Both were nominated for Academy Awards, two of four for this film. The other non-winners include Best Picture (Michael Phillips and Julia Phillips) and Best Musical Score (Bernard Herrmann).
Co-stars include Cybill Shepard, Harvey Keitel, Albert Brooks, Peter Boyle, Joe Spinell, and Leonard Harris as Senator Palantine. The watchable “Taxi Driver” was a big hit at the box office for Bill/Phillips Productions, Italo-Judeo Productions, and Columbia Pictures. The film did generate controversy with the revelation that it inspired John Hinkley Jr.’s attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981. The excessive violence and gore, especially in the concluding scenes, were largely blamed as the culprit.