Taxi Driver (1976)
Taxi Driver (1976)
Taxi Driver (1976), directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader, is a seminal psychological thriller that delves deep into themes of alienation, mental instability, and the moral decay of society. Set against the gritty backdrop of New York City in the 1970s, the film follows Travis Bickle (played by Robert De Niro), a lonely and disturbed Vietnam War veteran who works as a taxi driver. 
As he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the world around him, his descent into madness becomes both a personal and societal commentary on isolation and violence.
As he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the world around him, his descent into madness becomes both a personal and societal commentary on isolation and violence.At its core, Taxi Driver is a character study of Travis Bickle, a man who feels disconnected from society. Bickle’s alienation is evident from the very beginning of the film, as he narrates his life in a detached and disjointed manner, emphasizing his inability to connect with others. 
His work as a night-shift taxi driver exposes him to the underbelly of New York Cityβdrugs, prostitution, and crimeβand he becomes disgusted by what he perceives as the moral decay of society. His isolation intensifies as he grows increasingly obsessed with cleaning up the streets, believing that violent action is the only solution to the pervasive corruption around him.
His work as a night-shift taxi driver exposes him to the underbelly of New York Cityβdrugs, prostitution, and crimeβand he becomes disgusted by what he perceives as the moral decay of society. His isolation intensifies as he grows increasingly obsessed with cleaning up the streets, believing that violent action is the only solution to the pervasive corruption around him.
