The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Gems: Taxi Driver (1976)

How do you choose what to watch on all those streaming services you have access to? There are so many options that it is just overwhelming. These services constantly release new content and overshadow all the great films from the past that are already there and ready to watch. Now there is The Wasteland Gems! Here is a great film on streaming right now that you should check out this weekend:

Taxi Driver (1976)

What is the film that really put Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro on the map? They both worked together before on Mean Streets, which is certainly a strong effort from them both. But the film that raised their profiles to new heights and made them both figures in the world of film…Taxi Driver. This certainly captures the city of New York in the way that Scorsese has done before but this is a completely different vibe to so many of his other most famous films. No gangsters or Italian Americans to be seen. This is a story about an isolated and troubled man which feels so poignant and significant to watch in our time today. This film was so significant that it spilled over into real life events due to its impact.

What is the biggest element of this film that has become so iconic? Travis Bickle. The way that De Niro has captured all the unsavory elements of Travis’ personality while making this character uncomfortably relatable in ways. Today, the idea of incels and the forgotten males in American society has become so prevalent. But Travis was the original cinematic incel who takes his frustrations and isolations to horrifically bad levels. De Niro gives Travis a distinct discomfort and distance. There is just something “off” about Travis and De Niro captures that presence in an uncomfortably impactful way. The voiceover that De Niro does is so committed, confident, and unnerving as it puts the audience into the head of someone we would never want to be. De Niro does such an amazing job of getting lost in this character and he is just so compelling. Let’s just say… “Are you talkin’ to me?”.

De Niro is great…and do you know who else is great? Scorsese. The direction in this film is so engrossing and compelling. The vibes of the film capture the dirtier, grittier, and haunting streets of New York City in the 1970s. The way that the neon lights and steam fill out the night streets of the city feel so authentic and impactful. Few films have captured New York in such a gritty and impactful way. The score from Bernard Herrmann expertly captures the vibes and atmosphere that Scorsese is going for with the big, powerful musicianship. There is a propulsive and haunting feeling that drives the audience forward into this deep spiral of Travis’ psyche. There is something that is just so brutal and visceral, especially the climax. The blood, violence, and shocks of this climax are perfect Scorsese. If you just want a shot to capture the impressive eye that Scorsese has…it is the camera floating over the aftermath of Travis’ “mission” as we just see just how much damage a twisted mind can do when they believe themselves a hero.

But it isn’t just De Niro that brings this film to life, right? The supporting cast is so significant to the effectiveness of this film as well. Jodie Foster is incredible as this young sex worker. This was a bold choice to have such a character in this film and have a minor portrayal of them. The maturity and authenticity that Foster brings is unmatched, which makes everything that happen much more haunting. Scorsese’ first muse, Harvey Keitel is so committed and uncomfortable as the pimp to Foster’s sex worker. He is slimy and disgusting in the most effective way possible. Cybil Shepherd doesn’t have a ton to work with but her discomfort around De Niro is essential to show the isolation that Travis brings upon himself and Shepherd sells it. Albert Brooks makes such a needed comic relief element into the film. Peter Boyle delivers such an interesting and grounded performance as Wizard, a veteran cabbie trying to help Travis learn and understand the world better. Even Scorsese is haunting in his portrayal as this stranger who finds his way into Travis’ cab.

Is Taxi Driver going to work for everyone? This is a challenging film. The boundaries that Scorsese pushes are quite bold and ambitious. This film resonates so well with its subject matter as social media has given the Travis Bickle type a stage and a voice. Scorsese and De Niro are at their best delivering such a powerful film. The cast is quite impressive as well supporting De Niro on screen. There are many uncomfortable moments and elements in this film that will push audiences into discomfort as it portrays sexism, racism, violence, and more. Few filmmakers tackle them so impactfully, without reservations, as Scorsese.

Taxi Driver is streaming on Netflix.