Paper Summary:

This paper presents an analytical viewpoint of Martin Scorsese's film "Taxi Driver". The paper first looks at how the film develops both as a narrative and through the camera angles. It then discusses Scorsese's approach to the cab as a character in the course of the film as well as the concept of the anti-hero as the spark of the film. In addition, the paper examines how the film also includes a theme of alienation and a journey of identity. By relating the plot of the movie, the paper examines each of these themes and elements. According to the paper, ultimately, "Taxi Driver" highlights the path of a man confused about his identity and his purpose. It is this purposelessness, this lack of action that spurs the movie on and allows for the character of Travis to become more real as a character.

From the Paper:

"The film develops both as a narrative and through the camera angles. The film begins with an urban jungle scene in which war is more than likely thus giving foreshadowing to the events that will unfold during the course of the film. There are open sewers throughout the entire film and there are manhole covers with vapors coming out of them so thick the at home audience can smell the stink, the grime the film on which the movie is based. Scorsese gives the audience an allegory in the film. Scorsese's attention to music and the character's interchange is especially noticeable throughout the movie. The slow jazz sequences in the cab pitted against the writhing music in violent scenes makes each scene correlated with one another. This is one of the links by which the director allows the audience to decipher as a chronological movement between pieces of Travis' narrative."

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