Taxi Driver | First Time Watching

[@Jared_Wignall]

It’s important to remember Travis is a Vietnam vet. He likely has PTSD and back in the 70s, there wasn’t a lot of help for those who came back to America that had problems. What we see him as now, he likely wasn’t like before he was in the marines when he went into Vietnam. This film is excellent and Robert De Niro gives it his all. To me, this is De Niro’s best performances as well as Scorsese’s best film. This is a masterpiece through and through.

[@mikerodgers7620]

Shell shocked, not PTSD.

[@chrisfreakinp]

Right. Discharged in 1973, so definitely seen some stuff.

[@mikerodgers7620]

You mean shell shocked. Not the term PTSD which was never needed.

[@petercofrancesco9812]

Actually this fits the phycology of people who go on shooting sprees. They don't have to be vets.

[@kafkasbugmusic]

@@mikerodgers7620 shell shock was a term used in ww1, its an outdated term

[@hongfang2508]

Travis Bickle: Loneliness has followed me my whole life. Everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There's no escape. I'm God's lonely man. Travis Bickle: The days go on and on... they don't end. All my life needed was a sense of someplace to go. I don't believe that one should devote his life to morbid self-attention, I believe that one should become a person like other people.

[@RelaxwithJC]

That's a great quote.

[@modder1975]

The final sequence is a masterpiece: no music, slow camera, just guns sounds. So brutal and realistic and still ahead of many nowadays movies.

[@Theomite]

The guy in the back of the taxi didn't kill his wife. That's specifically why he was talking about it openly: he had no actual intention of doing it, but he wished that he could. He's posturing and he wants Travis to be an anonymous witness who doesn't know him well enough to know how full of shit he is. The guy is doing what he's doing for his own bruised ego. Unfortunately, he doesn't realize that Travis is legitimately dangerous and will learn the wrong lesson from this. You have to remember Travis is a Vietnam War veteran, and a Marine. That's where he got the scars on his back from. So he's very likely killed people before the guy in the convenience store. He was nonchalant about it because 1) he's mentally ill, and 2) he's had experience with killing already. This is also the reason for the mohawk: it's a tactic used by soldiers when they were going on a suicide mission. Multiple cultures shave the head when the person is cutting themselves off from the world, but usually in religious devotion (becoming a monk). The fake name was just that: a fake name. The other guy you're thinking about was named Tom, not Henry. He was trying to get the Secret Service off his back when he realized they pegged him as a danger. Jodie Foster was 12 years-old at the time. However, there is a chance that Sport is lying slightly about her age to make her more appealing to child predators. But she *is* significantly underage. The movie is a "slow burn" because movies weren't as fast-paced back then. But also, the goal is to immerse you into Travis' life so you go with him wherever he does and get connected to him so that when he gets on the rollercoaster...so do you. They didn't have CGI until 1979. THE BLACK HOLE was the first movie with anything resembling CGI. STAR WARS used models and motion-control cameras (cameras controlled by computers to replicate movements exactly) and optical printing for laser effects. Revolutionary, sure, but still not CGI.

[@RelaxwithJC]

Wow thank you so much for the insightful comment I really appreciate you taking the time to explain some of the things I missed. I wanted to thank you for that. I didn't mean slow burn as a bad thing, I actually like those type of films it just take a minute to get used to again after watching modern movies. Thank you for clarifying the CGI point. I wasn't entirely sure if Star Wars had used any CGI because of the holograms they had. I figured that had to be CGI.

[@kevinburton3948]

(I hope this doesn't come off sounding sarcastic because I genuinely mean what I'm about to say)- I was 6 years old in 1976. I've watched this film several times over since the 70s. What you just said about the guy in the back of the cab "not" going through with killing his wife... That was just brilliant insight! I always assumed he was going to do it, but now it just makes total sense that this guy "wants" to, but doesn't have it in him to actually go through with it... But at the very least wants "somebody"... literally "anybody" to believe he is a killer at heart. Good for his wife I guess. And yes- you totally nailed that Travis truly IS capable of being a killer and got the wrong message.

[@TheORGANEZIZED]

Well, adding to that. When you mentioned that he was staring at the black man, obviously it had nothing to do with him helping the other guy kill his wife. But I think that some people miss the fact that the character of Travis Bickle is a racist, which is given away by the way he perceives black people. One very noticeable instance is how he reacts to his fellow black cabby when they are introduced. Some film buffs, like myself, we're not sure if Travis sometimes imagines things that never happened (we don't know for sure if he ever sent the flowers to Betsy) or even imagines what he is seeing. Like in the diner where he sees a bunch of pimps sitting, it's very unlikely that some pimps were just sitting casually at a diner and more likely that Travis' racist unconscious beliefs being projected. That's why Martin Scorsese, the writer and producers decided to make the character of Matthew (the pimp) white, because of the racist aspect of the Travis Bickle character. They thought it could cause a disruption at the theaters.

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

the name and address he gave the secret-service dude was fake. he was just making it up. and that was cybill shepherd playing "betsy." she was a famous model, turned actor. she co-starred with bruce willis on the tv show "moonlighting." which, by the way, means to work an extra job at night to make extra money. and that was jodi foster's older sister, doubling for her in that "seduction" scene with harvey kitel. who played the pimp. the movie was demonstrating the thin line between "heroism" and "villainy." this guy was no hero. he was looking for someone to kill.

[@SaRENRampaiger]

And that guy in the backseat was none other than the director of this movie.

[@yishujia186]

Travis is an introvert. He didn't like the city the way it was. But he didn't know how to communicate with people about his negative thoughts. He has no way out. If he has a normal social life, he might not turn into this. He can't change the world but he want to do something. He is like the product of that society. I'm not good at analyzing movies but this is what I feel.

[@tonymatrisin4328]

Agree, great movie

[@george1449]

Why would you like that part of the city. It was filthy, prostitutes everywhere, pimps, garbage all over place. It was ducking disgusting

[@daydreamer7618]

Taxi Driver was filmed in the summer of 1975. Foster was born in November of 1962. She really was 12 and a half when they were filming it.

[@rustincohle2135]

Wow, someone who actually did research. That's rare.

[@maciek8159]

A lot of us relate to Travis weather we want to admit it or not. His loneliness, isolation and not fitting in. But Paul Schrader took it a step further and made Travis ex military. The government sends these young kids off to war and turns them into killing machines and expects them to re adjust easily to society when that’s not the case

[@WatchMeMovie]

This is such a brutal an intense masterpiece, A young Scorsese playing the psycho passenger talking about murdering his wife is a crazy cameo lol. I will watch your post analysis when I'm off the train later on. Glad you watched this one! It was a heavy influence on Joker.

[@RelaxwithJC]

I found out after that it was Scorsese in the cab! I had no idea I've only seen him older. I can totally see how the joker was influenced by this film. The way Travis slowly descends into his madness is almost exactly the same. Thanks for your support!

[@eirikrsland1399]

Joker sucks!

[@richardhinman3183]

Scorsese played the "psycho" in the backseat of the cab because the actor originally cast was sick. They were on a tight filming schedule so Scorsese played the role himself. Scorsese also did a cameo, (ala Alfred Hitchcock), at 5:52. That's him sitting by the steps.

[@windsorkid7069]

He was also the guy sitting on the corner stone of the building that Betsy walked by as Travis was describing her.

[@NoExitLoveNow]

Jodie Foster was 12 1/2 years old when she made Taxi Driver.

[@Smajsitup]

The beauty of art is that we all see and feel something different within it. To me this film represents the dehumanization of society, specifically those on lower end of society, how many are overlooked, or treated as nothing. Travis as the Taxi Driver is seen as merely a provider of a service, his cab is used and abused with abandon, as a toilet, a brothel, a fight club, and money is thrown at him as a band aid fix all. It also is true of Iris, she is just a commodity to those around her, to be used until she no longer is useful. I think Travis felt a connection with her because he can see a flower that still has a chance to bloom within all that gloom. I think he may have thought that saving her was in some ways saving himself, or at least saving a small part of his humanity, or even humanity as a whole as his inner voice became increasingly out of touch, as long as some good can come from so much darkness, it would be worth his sacrifice. I think he was a soldier, but I think he was discharged due to mental issues, the army, particularly back then saw soldiers as a commodity, so would have no problem with discarding him. And I think he went after the senator because he represents the man, the overseer, the one who controls all of the pawns of society, and his thinking would be if you cut the head off the snake perhaps the entire thing would crumble and wash the streets away in the bloodbath. Another interesting thing is the fascination with the rebel, the bad guy, after the shootout, he received interest and national coverage, and for his violence he was rewarded and praised, even Betsy was happy to see him once more, and it looked as if she wanted to reconnect with him. Infatuation with violence, and infatuation with an antagonistic nature of those who are anti establishment is well known phenomenon, obsession with criminals is a long standing thing, women even propose to men serving multiple life sentences, so I think the film commented on that. The film also touches on how those in need often fall through the cracks, and only when they create enough noise do they receive the notice they require, if he would continue to suffer in silence he would have more than likely died somewhere, forgotten, and unknown, but because he caused a scene he was given time to hold his head above the sewer, albeit briefly. Look at all of the protests and such within our world, if everyone remained silent, change would be almost absent, or as slow as corrosion, but when there is an explosion, those in power take notice. I also think from the the quick cuts at the end his mind is still at war, with what, I do not know. So he only received praise and press, but not the help and care he truly needed, that to me talks on a lot of empty words that are thrown around the world from those in power, "we care about you", how many times has a politician said that? Do they really care? Or do they forget all about you once the headlines fade away? Anyway, that is how I see the film, an uncomfortable ride into where we don't want to tread, with a protagonist teetering on the edge of the precipice of hope, showing us what we wish to hide, and making us feel sick when we cheer the violence, while scolding those who do not obey our rules.

[@RelaxwithJC]

This is an excellent comment and I appreciate it so much! Thank you for giving me your perspective and I agree with your view. After I've had a while to think about the movie and reflect on it. My views tend to lead this way as well. While watching its hard to see everything and get all my thought together. On the spot, I'm not a great critical thinker, but it comments like these that really open my mind to see more of the movie and help me learn to see more "between the lines" if you will. So thank you.

[@rustincohle2135]

Your interpretation is excellent except for one thing; that Travis wanted to take out Palantine cuz he represented "the Man" and was the "head of the snake" deal. Travis is not that deep of a thinker, to think that "the government and politicians used me in their phony Vietnam War so I'ma get back at them". Betsy dedicated all her time to Palantine's campaign, he wanted to get back at her where it would hurt most and where it would certainly get her attention. And perhaps Travis felt that Palantine's campaign "corrupted" her in the way that he thought she wasn't corrupted, but not in "the Man used me" kind of sense.

[@redcardinalist]

"That girl's not 12 and half years old. she's clearly not 12 1/2 years old" "Right?" Wrong! Jodie Foster, born in 1964, was 12 when the movie was made (1976). Enjoyed your reaction! And a great movie.

[@rustincohle2135]

Actually, Jodie was born November 1962 and the movie was made in summer 1975. So, you're half right in that she WAS 12 when it was made.

[@pymrytzleonarda8459]

Moonlighting is when you work a second job.

[@mudejartrainingnaturalscie6938]

It's also Cybil Shepards second breakout role.

[@pymrytzleonarda8459]

That bearded guy inside DeNiro's taxi who threatens to kill his wife is Martin Scorsese.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

And at 5:55 he's sitting there watching Cybill Shepherd walk by.

[@JamesCervantes-vi5ot]

Duh lol

[@modrenwarefare]

Fun Fact the guy in the back of the taxi who wants to kill his wife is actually director Martin Scorsese in a director cameo role. Shows he can act really well.

[@HughGenvoenni]

This movie captured the grittiness of 1970s New York like no other film. Notice there are no shots of the New York skyline at any point…when you picture the NYC skyline, you think ‘glamorous, city of lights’, but this movie on the other hand dives right down (literally) to the dirty street scene. NYC was most definitely not a glamorous place back then. Crime, drugs, corruption ran rampant. It was a city in decay on the verge of bankruptcy, not to mention filthy. You see New York City today (more specifically Times Square) it’s a night and day contrast compared to back then. Today you have Hershey World, Disney, M&M Store, etc, whereas back then that same district was known for hookers, porno theaters, strip clubs, it was just notoriously seedy! Out of that grit and decay, however, came both a thriving music scene (punk and CBGB) and also a terrific backdrop for many great films of that era!

[@blakemcnamara9105]

In terms of crime, however, we're heading back thanks to soft policies on crime.

[@rudyardmagpie]

This movie made Jodie Foster recognized as a great actor. She was 13 years old.

[@TheNeonRabbit]

Jodie Foster was 13 when the movie was released, 12 during filming

[@ilmazzini1496]

@@TheNeonRabbit And a half.

[@TheTerryGene]

“Moonlighting” refers to working two jobs at the same time. When De Niro appeared in this, he had already won his first Academy Award for portraying Vito Corleone in “Godfather II” and played Johnny Boy in the seminal Scorsese film “Mean Streets.”

[@thetoothbrushfromnisemonog8340]

The King of Comedy is another incredible character study by Martin Scorsese and staring Robert De Niro. It’s not as violent or gritty but I think it’s just as interesting and maybe an even better film than Taxi Driver. it’s more of a dark comedy/social satire about fame and the entertainment industry but it shares some similar elements.

[@RelaxwithJC]

I will add it to my list thank you! -J

[@BLAZINBEATS123]

@@RelaxwithJC did you watch the king of comedy yet? its so good

[@carlomercorio1250]

Before 101st Airborne dropped into France night before D Day they shaved their hair into Mohicans. Maybe Bickle felt it was part of him going to war.

[@skaterpulse6746]

American troops also did that in Vietnam when they were about to go on a suicide mission. Travis being a Vietnam vet probably expected to die in his shootout

[@MovieVigilante]

4:24 "Moonlighting" is holding down two jobs at the same time. Ironically, Cybill Shepherd who played Betsy the campaign volunteer, would go on to star in her own TV series with Bruce Willis, called _Moonlighting._

[@drlee2]

I rate this as one of the Top 5 films of all time and DeNiro's performance as Travis Bickle is one of the all-time greats. He was nominated Best Actor and should have won. Jodie Foster was also nominated Best Supporting Actress. Scorcese was nominated and should have won Best Director and no question in my mind this was the Best Picture of 1976.

[@peterengelen2794]

One of the greatest movies ever made! A real true of art, a masterpiece, still relevant today, this movie will never age...

[@Al_NERi]

Longtime admirer of Taxi Driver. If I had to impart one point about the movie it would be- don't overlook the small role of the cabstand supervisor who hires Travis, grilling him with questions about moonlighting, his driving record, military discharge, availability etc.Playing the taxi boss is the late great character actor Joe Spinnel, king of the tough gritty urban dramas and thrillers we all know and love. Joe's career arc is like a compass pointing the way to the best of the best. In addition to Taxi Driver he was a veteran of the Rocky franchise as a Philadelphia loanshark and was central in highlight scenes in both The Godfather Part one (baptism/mass assassination scene) and part two (Senate anti crime hearing) as the conflicted "button man" Willie Cicci.He stole scenes from Al Pacino in William Friedkin's inflammatory Cruising (80) as a brutal, corrupt and likely closeted NYPD patrolman haunting the back alleys of the sex worker infested meatpacking district and local fetish clubs where Pacino is a detective working deep cover to catch a serial killer whose leaving bagged and mutilated corpses bobbing in the Hudson river. Joe Spinnel's last big splash was as the titular man Frank Zito in the fan favorite slasher era classic Maniac (80) a world apart from the Friday and Halloween clones that defined the genre. Instead Spinnel offered a harrowing character study, a hulking brute of a man with misogynistic obsession and weird sentimentality, attached to dolls, teddy bears and other childhood mementos when not decorating dept. store mannequins with the scalps of murder victims. The power of Maniac to fascinate rests entirely on Joe Spinnel's tour d force performance.

[@rudyardmagpie]

John Hinkley Jr saw that movie and became infatuated with Jodie Foster. He then shot President Ronald Reagan in order to impress her.

[@mikeberg5003]

Jodi Foster was about 13 or 14 when this was filmed. Her character is based on a real person who someone related to the film picked up at a bar in a drunken stupor. He took her to his hotel room and it was only then that he realized she was a sex worker and was in fact, 12 years old. Needless to say he told her to go

[@johnsilva9139]

Was that Paul Schrader?

[@antrimlariot2386]

The incredible music was the last score by Bernard Herrmann, who also did Psycho and a lot of Hitchcock films.

[@daron85]

The making of it is pretty cool. It comes with the DVD. Referring to your question about the gunshot effects, legendary makeup artist Dick Smith rigged a contraption on the guy's face where he basically had blood squibs attached to different parts of his face (where the bullet wounds would be) and facial prosthetics covering the areas. Then some like invisible looking thread attached to each squib. He then just pulled all of the threads making each of them explode. It's an awesome Making Of featurette. You also see things like how they got that overhead tracking shot at the end and stuff.

[@TheTerryGene]

This from Wikipedia: Some critics showed concern over 12-year-old Foster's presence during the climactic shoot-out.[22] Foster said that she was present during the setup and staging of the special effects used during the scene; the entire process was explained and demonstrated for her, step by step. Moreover, Foster said, she was fascinated and entertained by the behind-the-scenes preparation that went into the scene. In addition, before being given the part, Foster was subjected to psychological testing, attending sessions with a UCLA psychiatrist, to ensure that she would not be emotionally scarred by her role, in accordance with California Labor Board requirements monitoring children's welfare on film sets.

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

the name and address he gave the secret-service dude was fake. he was just making it up. and that was cybill shepherd playing "betsy." she was a famous model, turned actor. she co-starred with bruce willis on the tv show "moonlighting." which, by the way, means to work an extra job at night to make extra money. and that was jodi foster's older sister, doubling for her in that "seduction" scene with harvey kitel. who played the pimp. the movie was demonstrating the thin line between "heroism" and "villainy." this guy was no hero. he was looking for someone to kill.

[@thefatman2780]

MASTERPIECE. MORE CLASSIC UNSEEN MOVIES PLEASE???? I WISH YALL GOOD FORTUNE IN THE WARS TO COME.

[@rustincohle2135]

23:33 "Why did he say she was 12-and-a-half years old?" Easy, cuz Jodie Foster was 12-and-a-half years old when she made the movie. Jodie's always looked and sounded older than her actual age, cuz she was a child prodigy and is a highly intelligent person.

[@JuanRamirez-xh3kc]

I think you guys are missing the point, the one thing Travis is telling the truth about is being in the military and the war, why do you think he is so fucked up? The military makes killers and there is a thin line between when a killer is seen as a hero or a villain.

[@RelaxwithJC]

I didn't mean it as it wasn't a possibility that he was in the military. It was just a theory that he seems to take on personality traits from others maybe being in the military was one of them 🤷

[@JuanRamirez-xh3kc]

@@RelaxwithJC Your theory may be correct, it's up for speculation but having grown up with the film since the seventies it seems to me that the most common interpertation has always been that the film is a latent exploration of the Vietnam vet's PTSD and military brainwash experience . Who is to say? Great reaction.

[@RelaxwithJC]

Considering the time period the movie was released I'd say that it's accurate to say he was in the military. It would make sense considering Vietnam War was not long ago.

[@jamesscanlan6240]

Yeah, she is 12; that's how old Jodie was when she got the role.

[@ernestitoe]

De Niro played young Vito Corleone in The Godfather II, 1974. The scene where Sport (Harvey Keitel) tells her he needs her and loves her: Jodie Foster said it was easier to film than to watch. She said Keitel was kind and she liked him, and she wasn't at all creeped out even though the scene was creepy. She also had informal acting lessons from De Niro.

[@johnsilva9139]

Also she already had more movie acting experience than De Niro and Scorsese.

[@73jefft]

I'm not sure if you're supposed to light shoe polish on fire but after seeing this movie I tried it and it works really well lol

[@rg3388]

Jodie Foster was born Nov. 1962. This film opened Feb. 1976.

[@daydreamer7618]

Yes. And they began filming in the summer of 1975. Foster was 12 and a half years old. Just like Iris.

[@hongfang2508]

I saw this movie on the big screen when it came out. Back in the day, graphic violence like that depicted at the end of this movie was new. People walked out of the theater. I held on to my seat and watched till the end. An example of this movie's impact (in a negative way) was on the man, Hinckley, who shot then president Ronald Reagan. He watched this movie many times and patterned himself after Travis. He was infatuated with Jodie Foster and tried to kill Reagan in order to impress Jodie. Jackson Browne contributed a perfect song to this movie. Song is called Late For The Sky

[@RelaxwithJC]

I did hear about that shooting being attributed to this movie. Crazy to think about. Thanks for your comments!

[@MaLoWare]

I like your take on Travis lying about his military background. That was something they added last minute because they felt people wouldn't be able to relate to a mentally unstable person without trauma from a military background.

[@RelaxwithJC]

I think you might be the only one 😂. It made sense to me at the time, but I'm getting some flak for that.

[@MaLoWare]

@@RelaxwithJC In the original script he had no military background, just an unstable person.. so your feelings were right..

[@RelaxwithJC]

I love the validation! Haha you can stick around 👍

[@libertatemadvocatus1797]

I think that he's probably a vet and isn't bullshitting. 1) The scars on his body. 2) The Viet Cong flag in his apartment. 3) The Marine Corps jacket. 4) The mohawk haircut which was used by some units (mostly recon units). 5) His comfort in handling weapons and the fact that although he finds violence repugnant, he's unfazed by it. Now, I am not saying that Travis was a normal guy. I think he probably suffered from emotional issues before the war and it turned someone who would probably just be docile shut-in into someone potentially dangerous.

[@rustincohle2135]

@@libertatemadvocatus1797 And also the martial arts stance Travis had against Albert Brooks at the campaign office. Marines are trained in martial arts.

[@TheNeonRabbit]

That mohawk looked much more bizarre in 1976, well before that flavor of punk rock was widely known.

[@cassieboisclair6654]

Good movie. I feel like you wouldn't see things this uncomfortable in movies these days. You definitely don't see a lot of scenes that aren't green screened and utilizing just landscape and cityscape as their backgrounds. Pretty cool cinematography!

[@RelaxwithJC]

Hello who's this? - J

[@888zzz]

This is one of the best modern film noir films and one of the best films of any genre. Film noir originated in the 1920's to contrast with simplistic and idealistic mainstream Hollywood movies. Film noir experienced a rebirth in the 1970's because studio executives were more liberal then and allowed more artistic freedom which led to some of the greatest movies ever made Film noir, “dark film” in English, is complex and gritty, and is therefore a more realistic representation of life. Arbitrariness, ambiguity, immorality, alienation, pessimism, etc. are common attributes of film noir films. Rather than being the typical hero, the main character is an anti-hero who creates problems. And his love interest, called the femme fatale or “fatal woman” in English, is just as troublesome. So instead of being supportive she undermines the main character. In Taxi Driver, Iris leads Travis into the prostitution underworld which results in the tragic ending. Because Travis is crazy, he believes that problems can be solved through vigilantism. But as the politician explained to Travis in his taxi cab problems take time and work to be dealt with constructively. The end of the movie is idealized in Travis' head in which he is the hero and justice is served. But that's too neat and tidy for film noir or real life. Read Roger Ebert's review of Taxi Driver.

[@izzonj]

He just made up a name to give the secret service guy. He gave like 7 digits for the zip code. It meant nothing other then he didn't want to give his real name. You have to understand that in the mod 70s for somebody to show up on the street in a mowhawk was not at all common and of you saw it you'd think they were nuts. And Jody Foster was actually 13 when they filmed this.

[@rustincohle2135]

Jodie was 12

[@Divine_R]

Your dumbfounded expressions at the dirty movie scene while your dog sleeps peacefully made me laugh unexpectedly !

[@stevem1965]

Martin S. had a precursor movie called Mean Streets with Diniro and Harvey K. but it wasn't good. However when you watch it you see his early style that he perfects in Taxi Driver and Good Fellows.

[@1bridge11]

Not only was Travis in the Marines, he fought in the Vietnam War. That's why he had that terrible scar on his back and the Viet Cong flag in his apartment.

[@TheTerryGene]

Betsy is played by Cybill Sheppherd, star of the film “The Last Picture Show” and the TV series “The Yellow Rose,” “Cybill” and “Moonlighting.”

[@rabidfollower]

The shooting in this movie sadly inspired someone to attempt to assassinate President Reagan in 1981. He said he did it to impress Jodie Foster, the exact same thing De Niro's character tries to do for Foster's character in this movie. The assassin, John Hinckley, was put under decades of psychiatric care and confinement. In June 2022, he was freed from all court restrictions. He opened a KZbin music channel called "John Hinckley," and he has about 33k subs.

[@LordVolkov]

Moonlighting refers to having a second career, usually a night job, ie, one by moonlight. Funnily, Cybill Shepherd starred with Bruce Willis in a show called Moonlighting in the 80's. As a character study, not every scene needs to have a purpose, or even relevance to the plot, so long as it reveals elements of Travis to the audience. A great follow up to this movie is Scorsese's Bringing Out The Dead, with Nic Cage (among others in a brilliant cast). Both take a stark look at city life in their respective eras, viewed through the lens of a car based profession (ambulances instead of taxis).

[@RelaxwithJC]

Ahh thank you for the moonlighting answer. And, yes as you can tell we aren't particularly well versed in this genre of film, but I hope starting this channel and continuing to watch movies similar to this will help us gain more appreciation for the scenes that had us a bit lost. I appreciate your comment!

[@LordVolkov]

@@RelaxwithJC Happy to help. Even though we watch the same movies, everyone will interpret them differently based on their own experiences and biases. As we view cinema, we also view ourselves through what we watch.

[@RelaxwithJC]

Well said!

[@blacbraun]

I don't get how people today go "uhh I don't know how old Jodie Foster was in Taxi Driver" Ahem, it takes 5-10 seconds to find out in this day and age.

[@RelaxwithJC]

I'm filming a video....

[@rustincohle2135]

@@RelaxwithJC You could Google things in your post-watch discussion. We don't care if you look things up then. Having the facts make for a better discussion. Try it next time.

[@maciek8159]

Jodie foster was 12 years old when this movie was made

[@Tomloser4321]

Jodi was 12 1/2 yrs.................not 19 The rest of the cast felt awkward around Jodi, but Jodi wasn't fazed......just being a pro yet once again !!! She was a big star guys....two Academy awards for best actress... ."The Accused " and "Silence of the Lambs"

[@rudyardmagpie]

Mathew/ Sport was played by Harvey Keitel. Martin Scorsese was the one sitting at the back seat, who planned to kill his wife.

[@carlomercorio1250]

Foster born in late 1962 so she was about 13 when movie was shot

[@GlassJAw413]

According to IMDB she was 13 years and 3 months old when it was released. Typically it takes at least a year to go from shooting to theatrical release so Jodie was probably about 11 maybe 12 when the movie was filmed.

[@carlomercorio1250]

@@GlassJAw413 Good point. I figured on the year gap but was not sure. Thanks

[@rustincohle2135]

@@carlomercorio1250 She WAS 12

[@saulestacioarbieto3911]

Relax with J & C, the guy who suggested you this film, deserves a golden trophy. Excellenet reaction to a realistic movie, and the point is not to seek for revenge. (stay safe out here and, say thanks everyday) Greetings from another land.

[@marksugimoto9708]

Jodie Foster was 12 when this was filmed. The film is a character study. This movie seems to go over a lot of people's heads. Sad.

[@rustincohle2135]

Audiences are not as smart today as they were in the '60s and '70s.

[@AWSAQEDS]

Jodie Foster was actually 12 years old when she filmed this movie. Her older sister was used as a body double for the problematic scenes.

[@RelaxwithJC]

I had to look that up after, crazy how similar they looked.

[@thunderstruck5484]

As far as not being in the military he did know how to handle weapons of course it’s not to difficult to learn and it did show him at the range but his martial arts stance he got when when Albert Brooks tried to get him out of the office again doesn’t mean anything but he had done training I think , also Albert Brooks the fro guy at the office is a brilliant writer comedic actor who has several classic funny films if you are a Albert Brooks fan “Lost in America “ cones to mind forgive me if I already made these comments before I’m kind of revisiting videos of yours I’ve seen before thanks again!

[@michaelbuhl4250]

According to IMDb the guy with the curly hair in the office who works with Betsy (played by Albert Brooks, who has made some funny movies, himself) is named Tom, not Henry.

[@axelbaker8737]

She’s was actually twelve when she did this

[@isabelsilva62023]

Relax with J & C Jodie Foster was 12 years old when the movie was made, this is 1976. Her older sister Connie (who was 19) did the more "demanding" scenes. Travis' attempt on Palantine caused John Hinckley Jr. to try to kill President Ronald Reagan to impress Jodie Foster.

[@Chris_34]

12:38 Your doggo having a nap😂. Nice reaction btw🤗.

[@RelaxwithJC]

Thank you! 👍👍

[@mrcrhartman]

A major point of the film is that disconnected people in big cities can come to live within their own minds so much that they could reach the thinking of Travis and who would know? The point was made by simply following Travis and his misguided journey and seeing it unfold, from working guy to assassination attempt. The lie he told his parents was so they would have closure when they never heard from him again. They "would not hear from him for a long time" because he would be dead or in prison. His "important work for the government" was eliminating the Senator. It was "technically not a lie" which is what people do to avoid saying the full truth. Scorsese's cameo may or may not have killed his wife, but after he ranted about a "44 magnum", Travis asked the gun dealer specifically for a 44 magnum, which showed he was an impressionable person picking up ideas from his crummy surroundings.

[@jayhelm9632]

If you guys find that this classic grew on you- check out " The Deerhunter". It was filmed in the same era and has Christopher Walkens, Meryl Streep and Robert Deniro.

[@RelaxwithJC]

I haven't actually seen this movie, but I have seen the entire Russian roulette scene so not sure if it's still worth reacting too. I will consider it though because the wife definitely hasn't seen any of it.

[@jayhelm9632]

@@RelaxwithJC Its a very long film, with the russian roulette scene being the kind of " signature scene" like " Are you talking to me" was for " Taxi Driver". It is a true classic, you can't really go wrong. Another good film I recently saw, called " 187" comes to mind when I think of " Deerhunter" lately.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

Ironically, the actress playing Betsy was the star of one of TV's most popular shows "Moonlighting" (the word you didn't know the definition of) with a pre-movie-stardom Bruce Willis. She was also in the Peter Bogdanovich classic "The Last Picture Show." Travis was going to kill the senator to make an impression on Betsy, who felt so deeply about him. Ironically (again) John Hinckley Jr. later shot President Ronald Reagan in order to impress Jodie Foster after seeing her in this movie. "Henry Krinkle" was just a name Travis made up to mess with the secret service guy. The address was so fake that Travis added too many numbers to the zip code.

[@uhdudewhy7980]

As I recall, Hinckley watched this movie numerous times before he shot Reagan. Crazy.

[@BaronVonGreenback1882]

The pretty girl, Cybil Shepard was a girlfriend of Elvis Presley. Jodie Foster was actually only twelve years old in this movie.

[@Yusoo8]

Jesus can y’all just appreciate a film classic from the 70s and not get offended by every little thing.

[@rustincohle2135]

People don't understand context. They always view everything in today's filters.

[@akshitdobal573]

He was in army that's why he was calm when he shoot the black guy.And those scars were there cause of the war.Obviouly he is suffering from war trauma.Thays why he is acting weirdly.

[@rustincohle2135]

Nothing is obvious to modern viewers who grew up on MCU.

[@chrisspringer2744]

John Hinkley, who shot Reagan in 1981 had an obsession with this movie and with Jodie Foster. Apparently minutes after hearing the report of the attempted assassination on a taxi cab radio, screenwriter Paul Schrader showed up at the hotel he was staying at and the FBI was waiting for him to question him about it.

[@kevinburton3948]

"Betsy" was played by Cybill Shepherd- who's biggest claim to fame was the mid 1980s tv show "Moonlighting" with Bruce Willis. Moonlighting is when you worked two separate jobs. This is 70s Master Class cinema. The 70s were a turbulent time, especially for the United States having come out of the Vietnam War and dealing with the Oil Crisis. Violent crime (especially in New York) was on the rise, and serial killers were made famous such as Ted Bundy, or David Berkowitz (aka the Son of Sam). Movies of the era reflected this. Heroes were anti-heroes and everyone got shot in the end (aka The Godfather films). This film is our hero descending into madness. Jodi Foster was 14 at the time of filming. Her older sister stood in for the more "suggestive" scenes. She was accompanied on set by a social worker. Oh and yes- that's the hardcore way you use shoeshine to polish your boots/shoes. I was an Air Cadet (in Canada) as a teenager and have polished my boots probably a 1000 times over the years. You could either light the polish in the tin, or put a thick amount on your shoe and "melt" it with a lighter- this gave you a base coat that you would then rub with a bit of polish on a cloth. (Despite how uncomfortable you two were), I truly enjoyed your reaction.

[@RelaxwithJC]

I think the whole purpose of the movie was to make the viewer uncomfortable and come face to face with some harsh realities some people face. Like in the new Joker movie how it's very similar to this. I do think I missed the context clue of this being after the Vietnam War though, because I just didn't want to believe he actually was military. But it makes sense given the time frame the movie was made and released.

[@quietdemon8138]

One of the very best movies ever made, it’s been hugely influential to future filmmakers such as myself and even Todd Philips who made Joker (2019), Scorsese actually has two cameos in the movie one is the husband who is gonna kill his wife for having an affair but he also appears earlier in the black t shirt sitting down outside the campaign office when the girl who Travis has a crush on walks past in slow motion, Jodie was only 12 when she made this movie (she may have actually been 13 but I might be wrong on that) and her mom had to be on set everyday to make sure that the scenes weren’t too risqué, her sister (not a twin) would replace her for the more inappropriate shots, this movie also ended up being a part of a psychological obsession with John Hinckley Jr and he would mimic Bickle’s assassination attempt by being the one who attempting to kill Ronald Reagan in 1982

[@grichard1585]

23:35 ... Foster was 13 when she made this movie.. born 1962...movie was shot in 1975

[@rustincohle2135]

Movie was shot in SUMMER 1975, Jodie was born November '62. So, she was 12.

[@bobdelp2023]

THAT'S SCORCESE IN THE BACK OF THE CAB JUST SO YOU KNOW! :) HIM AND DENIRO WORKED TOGETHER IN MORE THAN 10 MOVIES SO, JUST AWESOME WORK! :)

[@DoubleMonoLR]

Deniro was 31 or 32 when they started filming this, he was born in 1943.

[@gazoontight]

Betsy - Cybill Shepherd.. Sport - Harvey Keitel.

[@luciolamonica]

The Cinema Cartography channel does an excellent analysis of the film!

[@hongfang2508]

My critique of the movie is to question whether Travis should have been made out to be a hero in the end. That is, of course, a surface level interpretation of the ending. A more probing look at the movie would not lead to a conclusion that Travis is a heroic figure. The unsettling and conflicting view of Travis, however, helps to make this movie more interesting and artistic/creative. It's a great topic of conversation once the movie ended. Movie is anything but cookie cutter, but I wonder if the movie's creativity is done 'too well'? Is its effect on the less stable in the audience outweighing the artistic gift that this movie gives the rest of the audience (in other words)? I don't know how to answer the question, but I can't help but remember how this movie influenced Hinckley. Has any other movie had that much negative impact on anyone?

[@DutchGotAPlan]

Well it helps me cope knowing someone out there is feeling the same way I do.

[@javix2013]

This movie served as inspiration for The Joker.

[@godslonelyman3878]

Actually, deniro asked out Cybill shepherd while filming and she declined. In a recent interview she said she regretted it later

[@hongfang2508]

It has been called the loneliest song ever written, so of course Scorsese included the song in this movie. To hear the entire song, I provide a link and I will put the lyrics in a reply to this post. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaK8mnuhrZycotU

[@hongfang2508]

Late For The Sky-Jackson Browne All the words had all been spoken And somehow the feeling still wasn't right And still we continued on through the night Tracing our steps from the beginning Until they vanished into the air Trying to understand how our lives had led us there Looking hard into your eyes There was nobody I'd ever known Such an empty surprise to feel so alone Now, for me some words come easy But I know that they don't mean that much Compared with the things that are said when lovers touch You never knew what I loved in you I don't know what you loved in me Maybe the picture of somebody you were hoping I might be Awake again, I can't pretend And I know I'm alone and close to the end Of the feeling we've known How long have I been sleeping? How long have I been drifting alone through the night? How long have I been dreaming I could make it right? If I closed my eyes and tried with all my might To be the the one you need Awake again, I can't pretend And I know I'm alone and close to the end Of the feeling we've known How long have I been sleeping? How long have I been drifting alone through the night? How long have I been running for that morning flight? Through the whispered promises and the changing light Of the bed where we both lie Late for the sky

[@lanagorgeous9485]

You guys should read up about John Hinkley and President Reagan as it pertains to this movie. I think you'll find some irony there.

[@mrjackelbox4418]

He was in the military his very used to Klingon by know I don't hoe many he killed in the war but he must've killed a good amount

[@Charzy1230]

Suggested Reactions if possible/if you haven't seen: -The Godfather 1 -The Godfather 2 (maybe de Niro's best performance) -Goodfellas (maybe De Niro's best performance, tied with the godfather 2) -The Road (2009) extremely underrated gem with no youtube reactions -Mulholland drive -Se7en -L.A. Confidential

[@RelaxwithJC]

We've seen The Road and Se7en. The Godfather series is on our list along with Goodfellas. I will add the others thank you! - J

[@modrenwarefare]

Goodfellas is also directed by Martin Scorsese and is one of his best masterpieces.

[@drlee2]

The first Godfather is definitely my preferred of the franchise, but the DeNiro parts make the Godfather Part 2 for me, personally. I can't get into Part 2 other than his scenes. I also really love his performance in Goodfellas. Everyone raves about Joe Pesci, but DeNiro was just as good in that, one of my Top 5 performances of his. But I've got Taxi Driver as his best performance.

[@petercofrancesco9812]

There isn't a concrete reason for Travis to kill the politician but people who are isolated and social awkward who bottled up frustration and pain are looking to take it out on someone. Movie captures the psychology of someone who commits a random act of violence. It's uncomfortable, real, and relevant today. Your girl was right about the $20 😄

[@Ian-lx1iz]

(4:26) 'Moonlighting' is when you're piggy-backing in a cheesy TV sit-com starring Sybil Shepherd. Everyone knows THAT!

[@TheTrashStash]

the reason he gave the secret service guy a fake name was because he knew he was being interrogated. he went down there to scope out what kind of security the senator had, and when the guy started asking him questions he started giving him false info. no significance to the name or anything.

[@davidgagnon7806]

Wow lady! That was prescient. That's exactly what he's going to do.

[@justtrustash]

YESSSSS!!! MORE MOVIE REACTIONS PLEASE

[@RelaxwithJC]

Hell Ya man! Love your AOT reactions 👍

[@Yusoo8]

Damn that chick seems to never have her own opinion and tends to wait what you say first just so she can approve …..smh

[@rustincohle2135]

Well, his opinions weren't that great either.

[@stevem1965]

If you want to see gorgeous Betty again, Cybil Sheppard, check out The Last Picture Show!

[@Ian-lx1iz]

Travis Bickle is mentally on the edge. He fought in Vietnam, and now his country has nothing to reward him. No career, no aspiration, no appreciation, approbation or positive regard in any way. He's an anonymous nobody. As his mental health deteriorates, he plumps for doing something 'memorable' - doing something with guns. After being rejected by Betsy, he figures that he'd create an impression in HER mind by killing the man (Palantine) whom she apparently idolised. When that failed, his only other fixation was Iris. He planned on blowing all the pimps away followed by himself - and he'd be remembered forever. 'Taxi Driver' isn't a story, it's more of a syndrome which survives in the US to this day, in mass shootings. People who are ignored and downtrodden breaking down and just buying guns to kill people ...just to be noticed, dead or alive.

[@chickmcgee1000]

The Danish National Symphony does this soundtrack as part of it’s series of movie soundtracks.

[@jerviswilliiams1769]

Jodie foster was 12 when she auditioned for this movie!!

[@chardtomp]

Moonlighting is what your generation refers to as a side hustle. A second job in other words.

[@gunner9648]

(American History X) great movie new sub

[@RelaxwithJC]

It is a great movie. I have seen it but I'm not sure my wife has. I'll have to check.

[@victorsixtythree]

I believe Jodie Foster was 13 when filming Taxi Driver, but she was already a seasoned actress having been a child star. I had to look it up but Taxi Driver actually came out the same year as one of her other big movies "Freaky Friday" (they made a re-make in 2003 with Lindsay Lohan). I found a clip and she definitely looks all of 13 years old in that movie: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5PSpWqIjN6tbqM

[@rustincohle2135]

Jodie was 12 when Taxi Driver was made, not 13. Born November 1962, movie was made in the summer of '75. She was 13 in Freaky Friday IIRC.

[@izzonj]

Travis just made up a name to give the secret service agent instead of his own name. Don't over think it. Jodi Foster was actually 13 when she played this role.

[@rustincohle2135]

Jodie was 12 when the movie was made, not 13. Born November 1962, movie was made in the summer of '75. But you are right about just giving a fake name. I can't believe how movies like this go completely over audience's heads these days. I mean, Travis also messed up the zip code with too many numbers. How did they not get that he was just making it up?

[@BaronVonGreenback1882]

Moonlighting is doing another job on the side from a regular job, cash in hand

[@YoureMrLebowski]

4:28 you have your normal 9-5 job, and you moonlight as a bouncer on the weekends.

[@shaunakmitra963]

Fun fact Jodie foster was actually 12 or 13 during the film.

[@mtrzaska7590]

Everyone says the theme of this movie is "loneliness." I don't disagree but I always thought it had more of a theme of "insecurity." Re-watch the coffee shop scene with Travis and how he believes only he is the right person for her. Also, I always thought that saving Iris and buying the best guns he could get was a way of indirectly showing he has control over more than just his life and that him saving Iris from low-lives is a way for him to prove that he is "badass" while retaining an inner thinking of "insecurities." He is a good guy from saving her no doubt, but he can be described as an "insecure badass."

[@hongfang2508]

Travis didn't seem insecure when he walked into the office and asked the girl out or when he walked up to secret service man and chatted him up (giving him a fake name). And I don't see how telling a woman that only he is the right man for her makes him insecure....just the opposite. Here is quote I posted earlier: Travis Bickle: Loneliness has followed me my whole life. Everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There's no escape. I'm God's lonely man. My take is that Travis has no idea how to interact with people socially. That is at least part of the reason he is lonely because he screws up every interpersonal interaction he has eventually....like taking a first date to see a porn movie. Travis had no clue that was inappropriate, ending their budding relationship. Travis is messed up in multiple ways. He admits to being lonely. It's obvious that he acts inappropriately in social situations. I suggest the two are linked. Does he have a deeper problem, a learning disability, a mental illness maybe? It would not surprise me.

[@Divine_R]

@@hongfang2508 Yes I'm also on the side that he's not insecure. Rather, he's clueless and detached from reality, so much so that he wouldn't even know what to be insecure about. His head is in almost a fantasy land due to his solitude