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Controversial opinions about other movies

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  • 007HallY007HallY
    Posts: 4,449
    LeonardPine wrote: »
    007HallY wrote: »
    LeonardPine wrote: »
    007HallY wrote: »
    LeonardPine wrote: »
    007HallY wrote: »
    Only seen Raging Bull once, although I thought it was wonderfully shot, edited and acted.

    I’m not sure I’d call Taxi Driver overrated either. Again, not for everyone and not an easy watch, but I think there’s a reason why it’s praised so much. I think it’s a very relevant film today (films like Joker obviously got a lot of influence from it in terms of story/filmmaking, and I’d personally say that’s not a film anywhere near as gripping as Taxi Driver).

    I think Taxi Driver is an incredibly powerful portrait of loneliness. Especially in a big city where the character starts to develop dangerous obsessions.

    I love the way the film ends with the media proclaiming Travis a hero, when we know he is actually a severely damaged and potentially dangerous individual.

    One of my favourite films.

    The great thing about the ending is whether we believe it to be 'real' or not (I personally always got the sense it was in his head and he was dying on the floor in the previous scene) there's something to take away. Is there an irony in the media celebrating a severely damaged and dangerous individual, or does it end with Travis in what is effectively Hell? It's a movie I always get so much out of.

    That's an interesting take regarding the ending being in his head. I love that final quick shot as Travis appears to glance at something in his rear view mirror.

    I also always wonder why Iris ran away from her parents in the first place? As she's apparently now 'back at school and studying hard..'

    A film i never get sick of watching.

    For me the last scene comes off as so idealised there’s something off about it. Betsy is uncharacteristically interested in Travis, Iris is back at home, and Travis is celebrated as a hero for what is essentially an unhinged massacre. For me it always felt like the very ending with Travis becoming agitated and looking in his mirror etc was a moment of realisation. Could be him realising he’s imagining all this and about to die (the reason why I say it felt like he was in Hell was because of all the red lights washing over his face in the mirror and the fact that his work as a taxi driver is such a big part of his isolation, to the point it’s unusual he would return to that work after). Or maybe it’s a brief moment of realisation that what he’s done isn’t virtuous, and the fact that he’s celebrated for an awful crime makes him little better than the people he’s killed (or tried to in the case of Palantine). As if he’s become part of the horrible city he’s gone against throughout the film.

    It’s a tremendous film in my opinion. I remember reading they tried for a while to get a sequel made. Not sure that would have worked.

    A sequel..? God no, it's perfect as it is. Although it's one of those rare films that are so good, they leave you wanting more..

    Agreed. That and Schrader and Scorsese effectively expanded on those ideas a few times afterwards to the point there are a few spiritual sequels to Taxi Driver. King of Comedy, American Giggolo, Light Sleeper, Bringing out The Dead etc.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,168
    007HallY wrote: »
    LeonardPine wrote: »
    007HallY wrote: »
    LeonardPine wrote: »
    007HallY wrote: »
    LeonardPine wrote: »
    007HallY wrote: »
    Only seen Raging Bull once, although I thought it was wonderfully shot, edited and acted.

    I’m not sure I’d call Taxi Driver overrated either. Again, not for everyone and not an easy watch, but I think there’s a reason why it’s praised so much. I think it’s a very relevant film today (films like Joker obviously got a lot of influence from it in terms of story/filmmaking, and I’d personally say that’s not a film anywhere near as gripping as Taxi Driver).

    I think Taxi Driver is an incredibly powerful portrait of loneliness. Especially in a big city where the character starts to develop dangerous obsessions.

    I love the way the film ends with the media proclaiming Travis a hero, when we know he is actually a severely damaged and potentially dangerous individual.

    One of my favourite films.

    The great thing about the ending is whether we believe it to be 'real' or not (I personally always got the sense it was in his head and he was dying on the floor in the previous scene) there's something to take away. Is there an irony in the media celebrating a severely damaged and dangerous individual, or does it end with Travis in what is effectively Hell? It's a movie I always get so much out of.

    That's an interesting take regarding the ending being in his head. I love that final quick shot as Travis appears to glance at something in his rear view mirror.

    I also always wonder why Iris ran away from her parents in the first place? As she's apparently now 'back at school and studying hard..'

    A film i never get sick of watching.

    For me the last scene comes off as so idealised there’s something off about it. Betsy is uncharacteristically interested in Travis, Iris is back at home, and Travis is celebrated as a hero for what is essentially an unhinged massacre. For me it always felt like the very ending with Travis becoming agitated and looking in his mirror etc was a moment of realisation. Could be him realising he’s imagining all this and about to die (the reason why I say it felt like he was in Hell was because of all the red lights washing over his face in the mirror and the fact that his work as a taxi driver is such a big part of his isolation, to the point it’s unusual he would return to that work after). Or maybe it’s a brief moment of realisation that what he’s done isn’t virtuous, and the fact that he’s celebrated for an awful crime makes him little better than the people he’s killed (or tried to in the case of Palantine). As if he’s become part of the horrible city he’s gone against throughout the film.

    It’s a tremendous film in my opinion. I remember reading they tried for a while to get a sequel made. Not sure that would have worked.

    A sequel..? God no, it's perfect as it is. Although it's one of those rare films that are so good, they leave you wanting more..

    Agreed. That and Schrader and Scorsese effectively expanded on those ideas a few times afterwards to the point there are a few spiritual sequels to Taxi Driver. King of Comedy, American Giggolo, Light Sleeper, Bringing out The Dead etc.

    Absolutely right about 'spiritual sequels'

    I think Light Sleeper comes closest. I saw it on it's release and at the time thought it was a little too similar. Excellent performance from Willem Dafoe. I really must give it another watch at some point.
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