Proof of the lonely

The most interesting aspect of this film is that it directly contributed to the assassination of President Reagan by the young American John Hinckley. He assumed himself as a taxi driver Travis, in order to prove that he was against Judeford, who played the role of the prostitute Alice. Stewart's love finally took the risk. This is undoubtedly a testament to the success of the film, albeit in an extreme way. Perhaps the loneliness and depression in Travis's heart that could not be dispatched resonated, and the eager search for a certain way to prove the value of his life became the whole content of life. Of course, the difference is that the protagonist Travis was reported by The New York Times as "Taxi Driver and Gangland Shootout", and began to gain the favor of his sweetheart and ended his madness, while Hinckley avoided legal sanctions with insanity. . Is everything so simple?

The plot is skipped, let's see for yourself.


The above plot explains the social background of the story: after the defeat of the Vietnam War, a period of embarrassment and confusion, disappointment with American politics and doubts about American spirit were very common among young people, and Travis is undoubtedly a typical representative of it. But his revenge against society was not accompanied by the annihilation of his conscience. Instead, his self-awareness and heroism made him take a destructive approach. Of course, the ending is as mentioned at the beginning. He got some kind of social proof: newspaper reports, Alice’s parents’ thank-you letter, Bessie’s goodwill, although he still wanders the streets that seem to be wandering like wildfires, he seems to be calm. Perhaps he has gained a certain kind of social role return, some kind of real psychological relief, and the atmosphere seems to be the same as at the beginning. In the film, the social problems in the United States are unrelentingly exposed, and through the protagonist’s psychological journey full of fierce struggle, he makes a certain interpretation of loneliness: loneliness is an inevitable fact that everyone needs to face, and do something useful. Maybe something is the only way out. Sorrow and strength originate from this, like the two sides of a coin.


The comments I wrote many years ago are ridiculously awkward when I read them again, but they are hard work when I was young. Ha ha

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