Cheap Taxi Driver (Collector's Edition) (DVD) (Robert De Niro, Cybill Shepherd, Jodie Foster) (Martin Scorsese) Price

Related Products

Customer Reviews of Taxi Driver (Collector's Edition)

A masterpiece in spite of itself
First, a phenomenal faux pas on the part of Columbia Tristar Home Video's marketing department: on the cover of my copy of this landmark movie is a quote from Liz Smith: "Jodie Foster is Delightful." If there was a more inappropriate term for anything about this movie, it is "delightful." For anyone who hasn't yet seen this modern REAL horror masterpiece, it is one of the most effective studies of frustration, isolation and suppressed (for the most part) anger in today's world that I have seen on film. And, the movie works brilliantly despite all the strikes against it; Paul Schrader's psychodrama/part pulp creation may have fallen apart, were it not for Martin Scorsese's adept direction and the gritty, committed performances of the lead characters, not in the least Robert DeNiro as the alienated, deadened ex-Marine Travis Bickle. I am always fascinated by movies that have major contrasts in tone and style within them; consider the scenes with Albert Brooks and Cybill Shepherd at Palatine Headquarters, played at a (bad) sitcom level, then contrast them with the hyper-realistic scenes of Travis's customers (Scorsese has a bravura cameo as a murderously jealous husband), Harvey Keitel's greasy pimping duties, the final massacre, and for me the most unexpected and shocking display, the aftermath of the convenience store robbery which Travis is involved in. This is the stuff of nightmares. The movie is also populated with wonderfully odd supporting characters, including Travis's fellow cabbies who have a camaraderie which feels real, and the fast-talking gun salesman who brings his arsenal to Travis's apartment for a sale. After you've viewed it a few times (if you're so inclined!), questions come to mind: Why does Betsy even give Travis the time of day, especially after their incredibly awkward "lunch" together? Why has Travis's character been written as SO clueless, sometimes distracting to the point of amusement? Doesn't Bernard Herrmann's loungy main theme, complete with emoting saxophone, seem at odds with the unadorned realism the movie is presenting us? As it is, though, these aspects, contradictions and all, are what make "Taxi Driver" a unique and unforgettable experience. There are a hundred different things worth commenting on, from the look of the film, to the ironic "message" of the movie, etc. But, for those with the mettle, this is one of the best, and should be seen for those with any interest in contemporary cinema. And, oh yes, Jodie Foster is as delightful as any pre-teen prostitute could possibly be.

---

A haunting, dizzying American classic
Director Martin Scorsese (hot off of his critical breakthrough Mean Streets) directed this film that was destined to become an all time landmark in American cinema, and announced to the world the acting genius of Robert De Niro. De Niro plays psychotic cabbie Travis Bickle; an ex-Marine who takes a job driving a taxi because he can't sleep. He is driven to be a vigilante by seeing the ceaspool the city has become, while trying to protect a young prostitute (Jodie Foster) from her pimp (Harvey Keitel). Screenwriter Paul Schrader wrote the character of Travis Bickle so vividly, and De Niro perfectly captures the essence of this psychotic man living in a world decaying around him. Peter Boyle, Cybil Sheppard, and Albert Brooks also star, and look for Scorsese in a small role as a man following his cheating wife (the exchange between him and De Niro has quite a lasting effect). DVD extras include some interviews and trailers, but I would have loved to hear a commentary from Scorsese and/or De Niro. All in all, Taxi Driver may not be for everyone, but those who have never gotten the chance to see this should consider seeing it. The final ten minutes are some of the most gripping and chilling scenes in all of American cinema.

---

Taxi Driver
To start this off, I'll just say this: Do yourself a favor and buy this fantastic film. If for nothing else, buy it for DeNiro's INCREDIBLE performance! I'm a movie buff myself, and I have never seen such amazing acting. It's a crime he didn't win the oscar. Secondly, it's directed by Martin Scorsese, one of the more brilliant filmmakers of our time, and written by Paul Schrader. This is the team that brought you Raging Bull. When these two geniuses get together, they make pure movie magic. And finally, Jodie Foster. She's only fourteen years old, and beautifully brings to life the child prostitute who is secretly hating the horrible city she lives in. One of the most brilliant touches of filmmaking was made here when Scorsese portrays NYC as hell, such as focusing on the smoke spewing out of the sewers, and making Betsy, Travis Bickle's love, seem like an angel among all the demons.

The story goes something like this: Travis Bickle (Robert DeNiro) Is a taxi driver who can't seem to sleep. He works at night, and the city around him fills him with paranoia, for the gangsters and the slime on the streets at night every day seem to be everywhere. Among all of these demons and devils, Travis sees an angel, a gorgeous woman named Betsy. He immediately falls in love with her, but his anti-social tendencies scare her off when he brings her to a pornographic movie on their second date, thinking it was just like all of the other movies. When she leaves him and won't return any of his phone calls, his depression rises until he meets a child prostitue named Iris (Jodie Foster) and her pimp named Sport (Harvey Keitel). Feeling the deepest sympathy for her, he tries to help her leave that terrible lifestyle, not believing her pleas that she loves her being a prostitute and loves her pimp.

To sum this whole review up, do yourself a favor and watch this great piece of work. See Scorsese's nightmarish vision of NYC, and Travis Bickle's slow descent into insanity.