theragingbull

all i will say is that this movie was decent, nothing more, nothing less. it's not exactly anything to get excited about as it is no more than average. the whole way through the film, i got the impression it was trying to copy other mafia films. for example the flashback to when chazz was a young hood reminded me so much of the first half of once upon a time in america and the trip to florida resembled that of donnie brasco.

nevertheless, chazz was brilliant and i would recommend this 'movie' to any fans of him, its just a shame he was reduced to this when he far more capable of more challenging roles. it was also nice to see steven bauer but a shame he had such a small role in a virtually unheard of movie.

C+

when i first saw Taxi Driver, i was overcome with different feelings. i was disturbed by the way New York was presented. a chilling vision of the way in which the city transformed into a seedy underground full of scum "like an open sewer" at night. jodie foster's performance as the twelve year old prostitute only added to how dark and hell - like a place New York may have been at that time, or at least through the eyes of Travis. De Niro's performance is simply outstanding. it's unclear whether or not he is intended to be recieved as a hero or as a villian. he seemingly plots to kill Palantine, at one stage and takes it upon himself to wipe out what he considers to be scum. however on the other hand he is standing up for what he believes in and although his very existence has been warped by his isolation as a loner, he shows honourable human qualities such as caring for iris, and at one stage caring for betsy. ultimately he is a violent individual and therefore dangerous but the audience can't help but feel sympathy for him. all the performances throughout this movie as brilliant. if anybody as seen mean streets, the contrast of character that keitel manages to portray in these movies is testament to the great actor he is. cybill shepard, jodie foster, albert brooks and peter boyle all give top notch performances also. the brilliant talents of scorcesse, De niro and Schrader are what make this movie so moving and brutally realistic. a very dark and gritty out look on life but well worth the watch as it is possibly the greatest movie ever made.