As
moviegoers, we've all been taking something for granted. The majority
of films have allowed us, to follow sympathetic characters. Those are
the people that we can identify with, people that we could imagine
ourselves talking to. We might even go so far, as to compare
ourselves to them and experience things through them, vicariously.
When
we aren't allowed to relate to, sympathize with, or even like the
main character, the experience can quickly become daunting. If we're
forced to follow someone, whose words and behavior upsets us, it's a
test of patience. There may be, however, a willingness to continue
watching. You might soldier on, hoping to see that character change,
or you might be curious to see the fate of a person, that you hope
to never meet.
Classic
Movie Trailers - Taxi Driver (1976)
I
tried to watch this movie before, over a year ago. It has a running
time of just over two hours, but I was done after twenty minutes.
I've come to a realization, about what kind of things are difficult,
for me to watch. It's frustrating, to see someone struggling with
simple, human interactions, that are second nature to most of us.
There
are unwritten rules, regarding what is and what isn't acceptable
social behavior. The reason why they aren't recorded, is because that
for most of us, they don't have to be. People form the capacity to
empathize, by two years of age. The ability to experience a situation
from another point of view, is an invaluable tool, that helps us
regulate what we say and do.
We
may occasionally forget, that some people are emotionally unbalanced.
There are also those with behavioral, or learning disorders. Whatever
the underlying causes, some individuals have trouble recognizing,
when they're being inappropriate. They may be obsessive,
confrontational, delusional and shockingly direct.
The
most value I found in "Taxi Driver", was the look at a
good-hearted person, that I couldn't possibly cheer for. It was
seeing the soldier of the movie, preparing for a war I didn't want
him to wage. I can remember dozens of films, in which the hero straps
on multiple guns. This is the first and only movie I can think of,
that made made me cringe at that exact same imagery.
It
was off-putting to me, to watch many of the scenes. I felt a natural
aversion to them that was familiar, having experienced those emotions
a year ago. Using empathy however, I believe I can understand those,
that were riveted by them. Some people avoid looking at a train
wreck, but others are attracted to those kinds of events.
At
the end of the ride, the scenes were unusually calm. There was a
general feeling of normalcy, that I'm sure was intentional. Belying
the obvious subterfuge, was a pair of intense eyes, staring into a
rear view mirror. If you were part of the audience that was looking
for change, you'll have to look elsewhere.
If
you were one of the ones captivated, by the adventures of an unhinged
man, perhaps you were satisfied. I can also imagine however, that
many were left wanting a lot more, than what they chose to give.
Personally, I'm content with the knowledge of the movie as a whole.
If there was any question as to the film's quality, or to the reasons
for its esteemed status, those doubts have been assuaged.
The
final moments before the end credits, left me divided and uneasy.
There was a feeling of uncertainty, regarding the film's conclusion,
but in retrospect, that was probably the point. Travis Bickle is an
unsettling character. "Taxi Driver" is an unsettling movie.
Ii sits there on the shelf and in the queue, looking deceptively like
all of the movies around it, but it isn't the same.
-----------------------------------
@ChannelSeals
-Watch
"Taxi Driver" on Netflix!
No comments:
Post a Comment