Taxi Driver

Main Plot

Taxi Driver follows the story of Travis Bickle, a mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran who becomes a taxi driver in New York City. Struggling with insomnia and feelings of alienation, Travis becomes increasingly disillusioned with the city's decay and the moral corruption he perceives around him. As he navigates the streets, he encounters various characters, including a young prostitute named Iris, whom he becomes fixated on saving from her life. Travis's growing obsession with cleansing the city leads him to contemplate violent actions as a means of reclaiming his sense of purpose and control. His descent into madness is marked by his interactions with the people around him and his internal struggles, ultimately culminating in a dramatic confrontation that reflects his turmoil and desperation for connection in a world he feels is spiraling out of control.

Characters

• Robert De Niro plays Travis Bickle, a mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran who becomes a taxi driver and spirals into violent vigilantism in a decaying New York City.
• Jodie Foster plays Iris, a young prostitute whom Travis Bickle attempts to rescue from her life on the streets.
• Cybill Shepherd plays Betsy, a campaign volunteer. She becomes the object of Travis Bickle's obsession, highlighting his social isolation and descent into madness.

Ending Explained

In the ending of Taxi Driver, Travis Bickle, driven by his growing disillusionment and desire for redemption, takes drastic action to confront the corruption and violence he perceives in society. After a failed attempt to connect with Betsy, he becomes increasingly isolated and mentally unstable. His fixation on saving Iris, a young prostitute, leads him to plan a violent confrontation with her pimp, Sport. The climax occurs when Travis storms into a brothel, armed and determined to rescue Iris. In a brutal showdown, he kills Sport and several other men, showcasing his descent into vigilante violence. This act of violence serves as a cathartic release for Travis, who believes he is enacting justice in a world he sees as morally bankrupt. In the aftermath, Travis becomes a media sensation, hailed as a hero for his actions. However, the ending leaves the audience questioning the true nature of his heroism and the implications of his violence. The film concludes with Travis back in his taxi, seemingly returning to a semblance of normalcy, yet the unresolved tension suggests that his internal struggles and societal disconnection remain. The ending encapsulates the film's exploration of alienation, morality, and the complexities of heroism in a fractured society.