Taxi

Taxi lacks the subtle commentary of Saura's previous films under Franco like Los Golfos (1960). Without censorship, Suara has attempted to directly portray the real violence in Madrid during this time period but the result is somewhat contrived and the addition of the love story moves the focus away from what might have otherwise been an important commentary. Between the blatant violence and predictable love story, something is lost and the audience fails to connect the horror and overt symbolism to something meaningful. The obviousness of the subject demands a presentation of a solution or at least the implication of one, however, all that is given to us is the overt symbolism of the protagonist Paz who disapproves of violence. At the culmination of the film in which Paz and Dani reunite does not address problems presented but simply suggests that peace is good, violence is bad and that love overcomes everything, including Neonazism.

This movie promised me more than much. I was so excited by this social vigilante flick. But unfortunately it also offers the worst ending, because the worst you can imagine. Clichés among clichés. This feature is a true deception for me. Get away from it, avoid this tongue in cheek, this so predictable ending for sissies. Not a film noir, for sure. At least for my own taste.

Had "Taxi" been made in recent years it'd be considered tasteless or grotesque to be shown even though it could be seen or viewed as a realistic view on the use of violence by group of extremists and their hatred on minorities. A brutal reality through the ages and ever outgrowing in the past couple of decades with a new rise of extremism, right-wingers and fascists. In the 1990's, back when Carlos Saura made this movie, it was already a case of concern and many artists felt the need to present to audiences what was going on at the time, and most of the stories presented were relevant, full of impact and it allowed a whole debate about society and tolerance. "Taxi" succeeds in being a good movie using of such themes even though it's more of a brutal backstory as an unconventional love story is at center stage.

The film follows the young Paz (Ingrid Rubio), a college girl with many difficulties with her studies that she returns home and end up being forced to work with her father (Ángel de Andrés López), driving a taxi cab. But what this taxi company does is a lot more than just providing driving services; at night their group named as "The Family", mostly they are friends, relative and acquaintaces, they eliminate minority groups based on race, sexuality or nationality and everything they consider as problematic. While she gets used to the job and little by little discover about the veterans activities she reconnects with Dani (Carlos Fuentes), a childhood friend and also a new driver at the company, and to make matters worse, he's initiated in the group and starts his first attacks on minorities. Is there a way for such love to grow when she learns about such fact? Will she find ways to destroy this extreme hateful group without losing her father or her new love? Challenging issues, indeed.

While the movie has a nice rhythm, pacing and a fine structure in presenting a thrilling sequence of events (though the romance interrupts everything whenever the tragedy is happening), the film fails a little in creating belieavable scenarios, specially when it comes to the violent attacks and killings all the way through.

Their modus operandi of conducting things are hard to believe - like those bridge scenes where they throw people away - are we supposed to be believe that with a heavy traffic no one would suspect a great movement of taxis on the driveway, neither a police car coming by? And also their attack, with a heavier group of people, on the barracks of foreigners. It's quite a community down there, it's not just a couple of shacks under a bridge yet they simple set fire on everything and beat people up on a hurried manner.

Yet Mr. Saura's film makes strong and believable motifs for the group and there's a sort of reasoning behind the usual extremists racist views since there's also a quest of revenge when one of their colleagues was attacked by a minority group and was left paralyzed so they feel inclined to act upon those groups, in a way to evoke the fascist sentiment brought on by the days of Franco regime, those taxi drivers are all nostalgic about it. Not saying that those men have the right to do what they do, it's a way to say they feel that there's motive for the attacks, and as in politics the tool of fear is more important than of hope, they act based on that fear, that repulsion for marginalized groups or people who aren't exactly like them.

It wasn't so brutal or extremely shocking as one would hope with a movie dealing with such themes (though it has some impressive disturbing scenes) but one must also consider that this main core of the story is actually put on the background since the toubled romance between Paz and Dani seems to be more on the surface than the killings and the brutality. It's not completely troublesome but it affects the movie a bit since we follow too much of the girl, without actually knowing how come she is so different than everybody in her family and those group of people - possible the college was an influence good enough to present a wider view of the world and she embraces everyone, all colors and creeds but it wasn't so interesting enough to make her an applied student. As for Dani, he's an easily influenced guy who might have a decent future as a military yet he end up becoming too deep with The Family and it's a no way back for him. But we follow them with great interest, a lot more than those dark frowned old men.

And we have an amazing performance by Eusebio Lázaro as The Family leader, whenever he was on screen it was difficult to not pay attention to him, with his cold face that slightly changes here and there in subtle moves (the scene where he gives a gift to Paz, and he was about to hear Dani revealing a secret to Paz). I liked his performance, the best in the show. Another great highpoint comes from the cinematography by Vittorio Storario, showing a great night view of Madrid.

On an ultimate question: does the movie raises important issues that still needs to be addressed? Yes. Does it make it controversial? Yes. Was it great enough to generate a debate on the topics dealt? Not so much. Compared to many similar works from all around the globe, this one is quite forgettable. Not of Saura's most noble efforts, since it lacks of a deeper criticism or a deeper analysis on extremist movements but still worthy of view with some good intense drama and some thrills as well. 8/10.

A frightening tale of racism and resurgent fascism in Madrid in the late '90s. Essential viewing for people interested in the 'New Europe" and all the baggage that comes with it. The movie presents no answers, just observations...

I saw it late one night on irish TV - dunno if it's available on video.

A young girl (Ingrid Rubio) no passing a degree exam , leaves university and cuts her hair , then her father (Angel Andrés López) puts her working as a taxi woman . Soon she discovers that her daddy is not only a driver but also a member of a racist group formed by other cab workers . They form a dangerous and xenophobe gang (Agata Lys , Eusebio Lázaro , Francisco Maestre) who are taking down immigrants , gays , transvestite , junkies and black people . Meanwhile , she falls in love with a young boy named Dani (Carlos Fuentes) , also a taxi-driver and a colleague of the fascist band , and son of Reme (Agata Lys).

The film delivers a sour denounce against racism and xenophobia from a family perspective , concerning about a nasty band who is eliminating people they consider social scum . This issue was formerly treated by Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón in his successful movie ¨Camada Negra¨ . This Saura film tried to create a sort of Spanish Neo-Realism by tackling the fascism and the extreme-right wing from a sociological point of view . Unlikely and non-sense screenplay by Santiago Rivero that has some flaws and gaps . It contains violent and crude scenes as well as improbable happenings . The story relies heavily on the love story of two protagonists . Nice acting from the two debuting actors , Carlos Fuentes and Ingrid Rubio who play and speak naturally . Ingrid Rubio stands out as the young girl who after failing an exam , is forced by her father , a taxi-driver, to learn his profession , she shines with her big eyes and spontaneity . Support cast is frankly excellent such as : Agata Lys , Angel Andres López , Francisco Maestre , Eusebio Lázaro , Rodolfo Sancho , Maite Blasco , Pilar Castro , among others . Special mention for the glamorous and brilliant cinematography by the great cameraman Vittorio Storaro , showing a mysterious Park of Retiro full of lights and shades at the end of the movie . And an evocative musical score plenty of Flamenco songs .

The motion picture was well directed by Carlos Saura . The film won numerous prizes and nominations as Camerimage 1996 , Nominated Golden Frog Vittorio Storaro , San Sebastián International Film Festival 1996 Won Special Mention Ingrid Rubio , Nominated Golden Seashell Carlos Saura , Spanish Actors Union 1997 Won Newcomer Award Ingrid Rubio , Nominated Award of the Spanish Actors Union Film : Performance in a Minor Role Pilar Ordóñez . Saura is a well accepted director both nationally and internationally, and in proof of it he won many awards among which there are the following ones : Silver Bear in the Berlin Festival for La Caza or The Hunt (1966), his greatest success in 1965, and for Peppermint Frappé (1967), in 1967. Special Jury Awards in Cannes for La Prima Angélica (1974), in 1973, and for Cría Cuervos (1976) his second big hit , in 1975 . Also, the film Mamá Cumple 100 años (1979) got an Oscar nomination in 1979 as the best foreign film, and it also won the Special Jury Award at the San Sebastian Festival. Along his long career he has won several Goya awards as best adapted screenplay writer and best director.