Taxi Driver (BFI Film Classics)
by Amy Taubin

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Book Reviews of Taxi Driver (BFI Film Classics)

Book Review: You Taubin to me?
Summary: 4 Stars

Last year, in the B.F.I. journal Sight and Sound, an edited extract of this book was greeted with a letter from a disatisfied reader who complained that Taubin did not have anything new to say about the film. I therefore had a great deal of sceptism as I approached the book, because Scorsese (the director) and Schrader (the writer) have spoken in detail in copius interviews about the themes and influences which informed the production, which has allowed them too much say in the interpretation of the film. Their thoughts seem to skew most articles and essays presently available about Taxi Driver.

Her thesis revolves around the film's engagement American society's obsession with the constitutional right to carry guns and the construction of masculinity within the US following the failure of Vietnam. She keeps the focus narrow, concentrating upon the film's references to the 'wild west' and the real-life would-be assassin Arthur Bremer (who's diary was the inspiration for Schrader's script and is quoted extensively in this book).Taubin does manage to offer some fresh perspectives on this masterpiece of 1970s.She does not allow the autobiographical circumstances of Schrader and Scorsese to interfer too conspicously which gives her the edge over many other Taxi Driver critiques I've read.

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