Taxi Driver (1978 film)

Taxi Driver is a 1976 American neo-noir psychological thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader. Set in a decaying and morally bankrupt New York City in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, the film stars Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle, a lonely and mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran who works as a taxi driver.

The film follows Travis as he descends further into isolation and paranoia, fueled by the violence and degradation he witnesses nightly. He attempts to connect with two women: Betsy (Cybill Shepherd), a volunteer working for a presidential campaign, and Iris (Jodie Foster), a 12-year-old prostitute. His failures in these relationships, coupled with his disillusionment with society, lead him to a violent climax.

Taxi Driver explores themes of alienation, urban decay, violence, and mental illness. It is noted for its gritty realism, stylistic cinematography by Michael Chapman, and Bernard Herrmann's haunting score (one of Herrmann's last).

The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (De Niro), Best Supporting Actress (Foster), and Best Original Score. It won the Palme d'Or at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival.

Taxi Driver is considered one of the most influential and significant films of the New Hollywood era and has been widely analyzed for its complex themes and ambiguous morality. Its impact on cinema and popular culture is considerable. The film's depiction of vigilantism and mental instability has also been a subject of controversy and debate.