Taxi Driver- best Martin Scorsese film? (Goodfellas, The Departed)
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Hey, Travis was a winner for a little while. He managed to get a date with the red hot Cybill Shepherd. Then, he blew it by taking her to a porn theater. "Lots of couples come here".
Re: 'Yet, even to this day, I see his character seems to strike a chord in many people who watch the movie. They totally understand and sympathize with his sense of utter loneliness and alienation from society, especially in this internet day and age of ours today'
You know I have to say Mr. Scorsese is a genius in how he places people within the context of their society and where they live out their loneliness and anger. His scenes of NY back at that ugly time absolutely reflect a deformed image of the 'Big Apple' and what a place can do to a soul. His presentation of all that 'concrete' was spot on.
Taxi Driver at bottom was a bloody horror show. It picks up from 'Frankenstein' showing how individuals get ruined by their society and go amok trying to make peace within themselves.
Yet, even to this day, I see his character seems to strike a chord in many people who watch the movie. They totally understand and sympathize with his sense of utter loneliness and alienation from society, especially in this internet day and age of ours today.
One of my favorite themes, and matches a few recent viewings. Last 5:
True Detective season 1
La vie de bohème
Torment
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter
Mad Max: Fury Road
Raging Bull... but Taxi Driver is close second & I have a sentimental attachment to Mean Streets, it reminds me a bit of my own time. I haven't cared much for any of the films from Gangs of New York on with the exception of The Departed, virtually all of his 21st century work. I haven't seen Bringing Out the Dead so I can't say if my indifference extends back to that as well.
These latter day films are, to me anyway, visual to the point of overwhelming the characters & seemingly edited by a speed freak. I suspect it is a generational thing - if your frame of reference coming-of-age is video games & not novels, action & movement triumph over character development. It is the pattern for most of the current "blockbusters" & Marty has been able to adapt to this.
I don't know if anyone mentioned it yet but I need to mention The Last Waltz - possibly the best concert film ever, admittedly a lean category.
Scorsese is great at portraying the young loner. The young loner is often angry and alienated. They oftein join gangs (Goodfellas and Casino) or play violent sports (Raging Bull).
Poor Travis was so messed up even a gang wouldn't accept him.
The guy who wrote Taxi Driver for Scorcese, Paul Schrader (also a director), once said the scary thing about Travis Bickle was how so many men who live in cities can identify with him, or have been in his "place" at one point or another. Certainly true.
What would? It would be a tough choice between After Hours, Goodfellas, and Casino. After Hours was a break from his usual style. It was very different, very refreshing, and absolutely hilarious.
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