Exploring Loneliness & Purpose in Scorsese's Cinema
Dive deep into the themes of loneliness and purpose in Martin Scorsese's iconic film. Discover how Travis's character reflects profound struggles with isolation, beautifully portrayed by Robert De Niro. A must-watch for fans of Scorsese and De Niro.
2/3/20262 min read
Taxi Driver(1976)
Written by Paul Shcrader
Directed by Martin Scorcesse
"A Tale of Loneliness & Purpose"
I know I am late to the party, but I am so glad I’m here. Taxi Driver is one of those films that you watch and say, “This is cinema.” Everybody used to call it an unpopular opinion that this is a film more about loneliness than justice or vigilantism, because *Spoiler Alert* Travis isn't really tired of seeing the scum on the streets of New York; he's tired of being alone. He's almost forgotten how to behave with people & in public; this is showcased in one of the scenes shared with Cybill Shepherd. He doesn't really know what to do with himself. Scorsese has shown a man being tied & tired of his routine incredibly well; even when he makes up a purpose for himself, he isn't preparing or looking for how to start; he's procrastinating and getting frustrated. This movie is more of a character study than a story.
I love how the movie looks & feels; Michael Chapman captures New York nights in a very gloomy & slightly poppy fashion. The long continuous shots are beautiful, and I believe they help to capture how things just stay with Travis. Kudos to Paul Schrader for writing the mundane life of Travis rather than jumping the gun and showing just violence or one action piece after another.
Martin Scorsese's brief appearance as a maniac kind of gets on your nerves; Jodie Foster has a charming presence, but the film rests on Robert De Niro's shoulders—he carries it like a badge of honor. He plays Travis in a sort of charming way; there is a childlike playfulness to him, and at the same time, he's depressed, lonely & frustrated with himself. His pursuit of justice, desperation to become something, & doing something come from him being lonely, but he doesn't let you see it, just like he doesn't let himself see it. The performance is honestly one of a kind and deserves all the praise it gets.
Watch this movie if you're a Scorsese & De Niro fan, because this is one of their finest collaborations.
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