If Travis Bickle were real and alive today, he wouldn't be driving a taxi, but rather sitting in his parents' basement, lost in the dark depths of the internet. This is according to Paul Schrader, who penned the screenplay for Martin Scorsese's 1976 masterpiece, Taxi Driver.
Released 50 years ago on Sunday, Taxi Driver has become a cultural touchstone that continues to resonate with each new generation. The film's themes of urban alienation, loneliness, and the struggle for connection still echo through the ages. Schrader's script, which he wrote as a form of self-therapy during his own dark time in life, tapped into the zeitgeist of the era.
The film tells the story of Bickle, a lonely Vietnam veteran who becomes embroiled in a world of crime and corruption in 1970s New York. As Bickle's mental state deteriorates, he begins to see himself as a saviour figure, determined to take on the city's evil forces. Schrader's script is infused with the existentialist philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, which added depth and complexity to the film.
Schrader has said that his own experiences with depression and isolation influenced his writing. He had lost his job, his wife, and his friends, and was struggling to cope. The script for Taxi Driver emerged as a way of exorcising these demons and finding a sense of purpose.
The film's casting is iconic, with Robert De Niro delivering a tour-de-force performance as Bickle. Jodie Foster won the Cannes Palme d'Or for her portrayal of Iris, a young prostitute who becomes embroiled in Bickle's world. The film's score, composed by Bernard Herrmann, adds to its sense of unease and tension.
Taxi Driver premiered at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival, where it was met with boos and walkouts. However, the reaction from audiences and critics alike was short-lived. Today, the film is widely regarded as a classic of American cinema, one that continues to influence filmmakers and writers to this day.
The cultural relevance of Taxi Driver lies in its ability to capture the zeitgeist of an era. The film's portrayal of a young man feeling disconnected and isolated from society resonates with audiences still. Schrader has said that he believes every generation finds Taxi Driver relevant, and that it continues to speak to young men in particular.
As we look to the future, it's worth reflecting on how far we've come since the 1970s. The world of 2023 is a vastly different place from the one depicted in Taxi Driver. However, the themes of alienation, loneliness, and disconnection remain as relevant as ever.
In many ways, Taxi Driver feels like a time capsule, a snapshot of an era that was marked by social upheaval and political crisis. It's a film that continues to captivate audiences with its raw energy and unflinching portrayal of the human condition. As Schrader has said, "Every day for 40 fucking years, at least one of you has come up to me and said – what do you think – 'You talkin' to me?'
Released 50 years ago on Sunday, Taxi Driver has become a cultural touchstone that continues to resonate with each new generation. The film's themes of urban alienation, loneliness, and the struggle for connection still echo through the ages. Schrader's script, which he wrote as a form of self-therapy during his own dark time in life, tapped into the zeitgeist of the era.
The film tells the story of Bickle, a lonely Vietnam veteran who becomes embroiled in a world of crime and corruption in 1970s New York. As Bickle's mental state deteriorates, he begins to see himself as a saviour figure, determined to take on the city's evil forces. Schrader's script is infused with the existentialist philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, which added depth and complexity to the film.
Schrader has said that his own experiences with depression and isolation influenced his writing. He had lost his job, his wife, and his friends, and was struggling to cope. The script for Taxi Driver emerged as a way of exorcising these demons and finding a sense of purpose.
The film's casting is iconic, with Robert De Niro delivering a tour-de-force performance as Bickle. Jodie Foster won the Cannes Palme d'Or for her portrayal of Iris, a young prostitute who becomes embroiled in Bickle's world. The film's score, composed by Bernard Herrmann, adds to its sense of unease and tension.
Taxi Driver premiered at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival, where it was met with boos and walkouts. However, the reaction from audiences and critics alike was short-lived. Today, the film is widely regarded as a classic of American cinema, one that continues to influence filmmakers and writers to this day.
The cultural relevance of Taxi Driver lies in its ability to capture the zeitgeist of an era. The film's portrayal of a young man feeling disconnected and isolated from society resonates with audiences still. Schrader has said that he believes every generation finds Taxi Driver relevant, and that it continues to speak to young men in particular.
As we look to the future, it's worth reflecting on how far we've come since the 1970s. The world of 2023 is a vastly different place from the one depicted in Taxi Driver. However, the themes of alienation, loneliness, and disconnection remain as relevant as ever.
In many ways, Taxi Driver feels like a time capsule, a snapshot of an era that was marked by social upheaval and political crisis. It's a film that continues to captivate audiences with its raw energy and unflinching portrayal of the human condition. As Schrader has said, "Every day for 40 fucking years, at least one of you has come up to me and said – what do you think – 'You talkin' to me?'
I mean, Taxi Driver is still a classic, no doubt about it... but can we talk about how outdated the whole "gritty urban landscape" vibe is? 
I mean, 1970s New York was gritty, yeah, but so was every other city in America back then. And what's with all the misogyny and sexism in the film? It feels like a relic of its time... 
I mean, Travis Bickle's obsession with saving Iris is basically just a toxic fantasy... 
And Robert De Niro's performance? Iconic, sure, but also kinda creepy. 
oh man i just realized that travis bickle would literally be the ultimate internet troll lol imagine him sitting in his parents basement all day playing video games and watching youtube videos 
. but seriously though 50 years ago taxi driver was released and it's still so relatable today like we're still dealing with urban alienation and loneliness. paul schrader's script is like a time capsule that just keeps on resonating with people. i think that's why it continues to influence filmmakers and writers even after all these years 
.
taxi driver is still sooo relevant today like it's not even crazy how that is but seriously the themes of feeling disconnected from society are still super true to life i mean we're living in a world where social media makes us feel like we have way more connections than we actually do and it's like everyone's just pretending to be okay when they're not 
Taxi Driver dropped. still feels prescient. alienation is universal. feels like we're stuck in some kinda never ending loop of disconnection 
just me or is this stuff still resonating w people?
It's crazy how much the themes of alienation & loneliness have remained relevant even after 50 years 
. And can we talk about Robert De Niro's performance as Bickle? 
He's like, the ultimate anti-hero 
. I'm glad people are still discovering and appreciating this classic film 
in a world where everyone's stuck on their phones all day, the idea of someone being truly alone is just so...relatable 
the fact that the film was met with boos at the 76 cannes film festival just adds to its cult status 
. it's crazy to think about how the world has changed since 1970s new york, but some things just remain the same. maybe that's why taxi driver is still holding up all these years later? 