FAQs
What is Taxi Driver about?
Taxi Driver follows Travis Bickle, a troubled Vietnam vet turned NYC cabbie, as he descends into paranoia and violence fueled by the city's grime and his own inner demons. He fixates on cleaning up the streets, with his twisted sense of justice leading him toward an assassination attempt and a risky rescue mission. This film is a dark and disturbing portrayal of urban alienation and escalating instability.
Why did Travis Bickle become a taxi driver?
Driven by chronic insomnia and loneliness, Travis Bickle, a Vietnam War veteran, sought refuge in the constant hum of night-shift taxi driving. He hoped the job would provide some form of social connection and numb the pain of his PTSD. However, the city's darkness and his own demons proved to be a potent mix, fueling his descent into violence and a twisted sense of vigilante justice.
What was wrong with Travis Bickle?
Travis Bickle likely suffered from PTSD, stemming from his Vietnam War experiences, and he also suffered from insomnia, hypervigilance, and emotional detachment. This potent combination certainly fueled his isolation and negative worldview. Additionally, glimpses of paranoia, racism, impulsivity, and a distorted sense of justice give us an idea of his mental health issues.
How old was Jodie Foster in the Taxi Driver movie?
Jodie Foster's character, Iris, was portrayed as an underage prostitute. Foster herself was remarkably young when the filming took place. She was only 12 years old, and this fact sparked significant controversy due to the sensitive nature of the role. This casting choice remains a complex and debated aspect of the film's history.
What is the meaning of the end of Taxi Driver?
The ending of Taxi Driver is deliberately ambiguous, leaving viewers to interpret whether the events are real or a product of Travis Bickle's imagination. Some interpretations suggest that Travis dies and is in a hellish purgatory, while others say that he survives and becomes a hero. The movie cycles back on itself in the final open-ended scene, with Travis showing evident signs of still being a disturbed individual.
