Taxi Driver and How Loneliness Destroys Your Mind
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- Опубликовано: 2 июн 2024
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Taxi Driver is such a personal film for me, so I made a video talking of my love for it! If you love this movie too, I'd love to hear about it in the comments.
Music by ROBINSOFT Studios FT Mark Fortnum.
• Chill Lo-fi Hip-Hop Be...
My video is in no way a substitute to experiencing the original source material. 
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I rewatched Taxi Driver yesterday only to be reminded that what I call a mirror in the video is actually a window. I wrote the script for this video mostly by memory and somehow mixed things up on this part, the point remains the same though.
I finally have a video on Fight Club now, so if you liked the Taxi Driver video, you should check out the Fight Club video! ruclips.net/video/SrsS4LqYoQU/видео.html
great vid bro
Loneliness is in just about every movie. Even Godzilla is lonely and frustrated
Because of how alienated our society is today.This movie is more relevant than ever.
When he kicked his TV over........it's was over
true
And the only way for it to be corrected is if hot women started to give face-sits on men
@@apocratos0174 maybe if they also came with limitless pills, ie vyvanse
@apocratos0174 That isn't the answer. As men we aren't after that. We desire something more.
Travis Bickle is the most relatable film character in history for me personally. I've struggled with loneliness my whole life. Loneliness really does erode away your mind. I talk to myself like crazy everywhere even in public. It's a coping mechanism for the loneliness. People look at me like I'm crazy. Its therapeutic for me. It's harder than people think to break free of loneliness. Once you become lonely, you get stuck in it. It hurts.
UPDATE: 1K likes holy sht.
I know what you're saying. I appreciate the openness. Things get better eventually if you are not a hateful person. Travis never escaped this cycle because he had hate in his heart.
Very relatable indeed. It feels like a compounding issue that only gets worse with time.
And if/when opportunities finally present themselves to you, it means nothing anymore. Be it friends or lovers, it makes no difference.
How is anyone like this supposed to catch up? Time creeps up on you, and people tend to drift apart as we get older anyway. The people around you become more foreign as they move into the next stages of life. Now what?
My mind is still filled with the memories and hopes of my optimistic youth. Unfortunately, I just need to be someone else now, and I cannot. The cycle repeats ad infinitum.
I'm in my late 20s now, and mentally I'm still stuck behind the same barrier I was a decade ago. I don't see that changing anytime soon either.
Ah well. Such is life I guess.
All comes up to chance. Since you are conscious of this, take all the chances you can get. As the person above said, opportunities present themselves to you, if you've been lonely for a while you feel disillusioned or even cautious to take another chance, just take it! You will not regret it.
Oh is that what it is, I've been talking to myself for a long time and could never really pinpoint the reason as to why
@@tataredhatI am so completely moved by your text. You described so effectively what I have been unable to articulate to my spouse, family, therapists….etc. I subscribed to your channel. I would really like to talk with you. All my best.
Loneliness is not necessarily about being alone, it's the feeling of not being able to connect with anyone. You cen feel lonely even in a room full of people.
Exactly
👌🔥💯
As humans we were meant to socialize with other people. Isolation is dangerous whether you are alone or lonely.
@@jacklan4103 I'm not totally isolated, I work and that's as much social interaction I can take. I serve customers and towards the end of my shifts I'm exhausted from social interaction. When I get home I just want to be alone.
Perfectly said. I couldn't agree more.
I think it's very important to note that Travis' loneliness is much more subtle and psychological than it is physical or based on proximity to the other characters.
He has friends he hangs out with, is able to hold down a full time job and is even able to charm Cybil Shepard and take her out on a date. He is a self sufficient individual able to afford to support himself and isn't some weak pushover as he's actually capable of defending himself. He is not a craven and actually I'm unsure if he ever truly shows fear at any point in the film.
What makes him such a tragic character is his loneliness and hopelessness IN SPITE of those factors, because he is unable to truly connect with or understand people, nor they him or he himself.
I also love how NYC itself seems to be an ironic metaphor for human loneliness and isolation; there is nothing more lonely than an overpopulated city.
I think one part people don't focus on enough about this movie is the filmmakers mention in passing that Travis was a marine and not many people tall about how that plays into it. Cause when you are a service member and after you get out of that lifestyle you feel lonely people that have never served don't understand the trama you experienced and how it affects you and how you interact in the world.
being alone and being lonely are very different things, and there's nothing worse than feeling alone in a room full of people
@@jimbothegymbro7086 I also enjoyed World's Greatest Dad.
starving without job im more sane than when i work to death 25 hour a day and look normal
@@ColePhelps-cv2qh It is also really never mentioned when Taxi Driver was made.Vietnam was still a VERY dirty word in American culture and minds and anyone who was a Nam vet was considered a baby killer and a misfit into society anyway.This is never really well played on in the film as to what Travis problem actually is,we just know he has insomnia,but caused by what in his service?
"A lot of taxi driver is Travis writing in his diary then going out and being weird to people"
he's literally me.
Real
@@balls1401 real
real
@@Xx_SuperPenis_xX real
@@jaggedsigns3O11 real
Looking back I love how he can have a whole apartment to himself with just like, a job in New York 😂
Right! A single entry level job, granting plenty of free time, and the ability to pay rent in a big city.
it was the 70s
He'd drive a taxi for 16 hours a day. He did long hustles.
Nevertheless, screw that actor.
Trump 2024 🇺🇸
"Loneliness has distanced him so far from reality" - this hits home for many. People forget how to truly interact and end up feeding into their own narratives of sadness and defeats...
What’s so captivating about taxi driver for me is Robert De Niro’s performance. In that movie, Travis Pickle doesn’t feel like a role some actor is performing, it feels like watching an actual person go through life struggles. To embody a character so well Robert must have been able to relate to the character in a deep level.
The jewel in the crown of Taxi Driver is Jodie Foster.
Yeah
Like i don't even really see Robert De Niro there. I just see Travis.
I think he actually drove taxis for awhile to get into the role. He also put on like 30 pounds to play Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull.
Pickle?
It's spelled K-R-I-N-K-L-E
Loneliness is kind of wierd. On one end I’m comfortable and actually happy being alone because I don’t set expectations with anyone. Yet, on the other end sometimes I do just want to feel like the comfort and joy of stability with individuals. It’s almost as if my child version wants the love never received, my teenage self wants revenge and my adult self wants peace. However, seeing Travis be so pathetic makes me want to not put myself through that again.
One of the most accurate comments on this topic I've ever read. It is like you are lagging behind with experience severely.
The worst thing about feeling lonely (saying this intentionally) is that you become more comfortable with it the longer it lasts.
@@AllisterCaineAnd the longer it lasts, the likelihood of breaking out of it decreases greatly.
Bro this video made me cringe on Travis fuck ups, lonely men please don’t place all your worth on this idea of love. Become resilient and build your empathy skills up.
@@crazytimes288 ummm.... today he'd be placed on the autistic spectrum, no way he'd not be. Thinking going to a porn cinema for a first date can't be possibly explained by stupidity nor inexperience.
In essence, you saying men should build empathy is like saying a depressed person should just build up some happiness. He just can't and loneliness isn't going to help, but therapy would.
@@AllisterCaine uh that’s an assumption, does the movie ever mentions that he is autistic? Even AI knows it’s about a war veteran who is lonely and lacks social skills
Travis is like that because he only sees the bad in the society. He cannot fit in to a group because he always finds the bad sides of people. His need of extreme security and certainty outweighs his need to fit in to a group. Loneliness doesn't stem from being alone, it stems from feeling like nobody understands you, it stems from feeling like you are an alien.
Loneliness kinda does stem from being alone though. If you are constantly alone you don’t even have a chance to connect and eventually you stop wanting to because everyone sucks.
@@Wallflowerz3356everyone has their life, so make friends became difficult because you are a second level choice.
They will not search you, they have their partner and friends, they have no time for another person
there are other factors we see in the movie that led to him being so isolated, one being the city itself and it's safe to assume that travis might have potentially had issues prior but i think a big part that made him that way is the war. ofc you will see the worse in people because you see people by seeing you and going to kill some innocent foreigners to support american imperialism would make anyone cynical.
He for sure has some mental health problems that click and grow during the film. But most surely they would have also clicked in other circumstances
I really like your analysis of Taxi Driver. Specifically the
“if you gamble your happiness on your relationship with others rather than the relationship you have with yourself you're always going to have this self destructive sense of loneliness”
I wish people would talk more about the incredibly deep shame that comes with being unable to connect and have healthy relationships with others. It causes the individual to believe that there is something inherently wrong and bad about themselves, and because shame is one of the most painful emotions, a lot of people are unwilling to look at it or sit with it,, so they go through life a fraction of the human they could be. So instead of feeling and dealing with the shame, it drives many maladaptive and self-destructive behaviors that push others away further, thus reinforcing the idea that there is something wrong with oneself.
Shame can ruin a person's life, and it can be a relief to turn that anger outwards onto others.
It looks like Travis really hates other people, but really he hates them because he assumes they know there is something deeply wrong with him. He hates them because he can never ever feel safe with them, he is always diminishing himself, he is always afraid of rejection, he is always low in the social caste and thus falls through the cracks of the capitalist profit machine.
There is a sickness in this world that manifests from being cast to the side, it is a sickness of shame. In fact, shame is what drives most mental disorders from PTSD to personality disorders.
I think at the root of Travis' hatred, you'll find that deep shame.
Me as a 26-year-old woman, despite having a significant other and some good people in my life, I resonate very much with Travis. I've been getting worse lately. I've thought of ending my life to spare others of my toxic influence. Dealing with this stuff is so much easier said than done, often it feels impossible. I am stuck in a hole, gazing up at people who are climbing mountains. I am in hell and everyone else is in paradise, and I'm very tired.
I understand what you’re feeling. There’s nothing wrong with you but you need to get help before it gets much worse. It’s not your fault, have a little bit of compassion for yourself. You sound like a nice and very thoughtful person.
Like that’s gonna happen lol
You cannot know what it is like to be a man, alone, in this society that worships women. The hate the protagonist feels comes from rejection, feeling and being ignored. Don't pretend to know as I won't pretend to know what giving birth is like. I blame myself for not reaching out to women but it's society's fault for creating a generation of narcissistic princesses. Untouchable and free to do as they wish knowing society will not punish women to the degree they do men.
Very relatable
@@InstrumentvanVrede Are you an incel?
I love being alone. People in this world are awful.
When I get off work I just don't want to see anybody.
I live a peaceful drama free solitude life.
Put ‘em here brother 🤜
Being lonely bests dealing with narcissists
true. but its important to have healthy friends so as to not succumb to isolation. it's a slow suicide at that point.
@falseprophet4927 I know man. I'm there right now.
I fucked my complete mental health to heal from toxic people, but in the end im maybe more fucked then before. I only was alone for maybe 2 years and cut off my friends. @@mrfake675
@@mrfake675keep putting urself out there bro. It hurts so bad while you’re trying as you get rejected. But once you can find a small tribe or even one or two people, it makes it all the sweeter.
Too many people trying to cope with being lonely by saying it’s somehow chosen or better. No it ain’t.
My dad said I'm basically Travis Bickle, then i realized he basically called me insane
watching taxi driver while having not had any meaningful social contact in months while your friends drive away from you at all turns despite you desperately trying to keep them and just giving up eventually goes hard
Damn dude why do they drive away from you? Perhaps they weren't friend material to begin with. It's hard to make friends as an adult, really is. Getting yourself in contexts where you can have casual contact with people is a start, a group hobby like a sport, book club or one of those tabletop game shops. Truth is, it's not easy and this isn't great advice. Specially as depression and loneliness make you less motivated and less able to be easygoing and spontaneous with people. There's a lot of luck involved in crossing the right person. But one thing is certain, you have to take care of yourself and get out there, so that luck is possible at all. Otherwise you'll fall into yourself. Some days it's impossible I know. Rest in your corner. But afterward try again, please. I wish you the best man.
I grew up in a narcissistic family so when i moved out the ability to be alone was literally so euphoric just ordering pizza and watching a documentary about ancient rome on Saturday evening was so amazing it was all i needed to really love life. But being completely alone for prolonged periods isn't good just some even semi meaningful people to associate with is important.
the loneliness i've experienced is something that i've for so long sought to "redeem" like i can somehow reconcile the suffering of the past, that this wound can be healed, but i've never found the remedy i seek, only fleeting temporary distractions from the problem. i try my best to do kind acts and talk with people, attend events, but no matter how much i've ever done of that, nothing has been truly gained. my life has not changed in a way that has at all brought me any kind of solace, i go home at the end of the day just as lonely as i always have, and as time continues on i feel as though i'm chasing something unattainable, like i'm cursed.
I'm in it true, .....as a lot of lonely people. Please hold on bro.
we can give a lot of suggestions and tips online but i think what you need to do is start going to therapy to find the route cause of your problems so you can fix it. you might need anti depressants and doing all those helpful stuff that you do without them might not work cuz of that.
There are always people around, somewhere, who want to impact a person exactly like you. I'm one of them.
More people deserve to feel understood, and experience connection, than the ones who get to.
Gonna pray for you man
Bro you literally described my life, this is exactly how I feel..Im lonely af bro,
Bro your story at the end was powerful. Because I was the same way a little except I felt lost and was mad. And seeing and watching other people lash out due to their own mistakes and mental capacities was something that just kinda scared me into working on myself not only for myself but others too. I can’t just walk through life thinking everything is about me when I’m just a spec on this earth. So why not just enjoy life. The relating to him is not a good thing was so powerful because it’s something you realized through hardship yourself.
Hi.
Very powerful. Almost as powerful as my music.
I've been an introvert my whole life. (A real introvert - someone who receives energy from being alone rather than being with others.) I've never had a problem talking to or approaching others. I've even been complemented many times on my listening skills, comedic style, empathy, and ability to give genuine advice. I've also been criticized for traits that I feel were a misunderstanding of how I feel I am (he's helping others because he wants something, he listens because he's nosy, he doesn't make as many mistakes, so he thinks he's better than others etc.) Even after trying to explain these away, they still come up from time to time. It only takes one person to start some rumor and have others go along with it even if those same people always got along with you.
I feel lonely often. I try to keep myself busy with projects to deflect from these feelings because no matter how often I've attempted to transition my encounters with others to anything else, it never goes anywhere. I'm 32 and a part of me feels that people might think that I must be someone to avoid since I have no friends (social proof), but I honestly can't say what the reason is exactly.
We must be twins then! I can sooo relate.
I'm a naturally introverted type, but also I have a long history of social anxiety at the same time. Very bad combination, let me tell you. But it's not just pure shyness/anxiety, I'm definitely an introvert type. I highly value my privacy and peace and quiet. I can't handle too much social activity, it tends to overwhelm me. I find lots of people to be "phony" and "fake", and honestly I hate that kind of stuff with a passion.
But also my social anxiety has always been horrible, though not quite as bad now at age 38 as it used to be. In a nutshell, anxiety issues is the one thing that has set me back in every single aspect of life. The most important of which are financial success, gaining skills, and of course I was never good with women.
Lo and behold, I too am an introvert
In the same as you just embrace it you dont need social proof
Can i change this ? I 25 and im about to join the military soon . Im so lost
the fact that i understand fully the emotions of characters tells me that i should probabily change something in my life
Loneliness maybe, but not being a self chosen solitary man
Words of a lonely man ^^^
@@jackfiorenzio9856 maybe, but i prefer to be alone most of the time, than being in a sick society
Some people can be alone not be lonely
@@jackfiorenzio9856you don't know his bank account or body count pal stop assuming what he can or copes with
Cope
Imagine a world where people cared about each other. Wouldn't that be nice?
sounds unrealistic AF. everyone only cares about themselves. they're pretending like they're on your side and cheering for you. the moment you achieve something big in life the jealousness kicks in and ppl start hating.
@@Legenda20SLOYeah and I bet you’re not any better. Human nature. Don’t throw stones at others. You probably suck just as bad. So do I.
@@Legenda20SLO big fact
Yes people envy others , for that is difficult not be alone
This Is not true for everyone, but It Is for the majority of people. Maybe the 95% of people won't care about you, they'll ask you to give them things, to help them, but they won't do the same for you.
Loved the line about gambling your happiness on the actions of other rather than yourself. Great video man!!!
I promise at least 80% of Uber and Lyft drivers can relate to Travis
I think anyone who has done a boatload of work sitting in the car or truck. I feel like I forgot how to be a person sometimes.
To be a man you have to learn how to be alone. It really is part lf life. Its lonely to be alone. But its when we are most at peace as well.
Why though
@@user-pl5gg6vi8j This is just me guessing, I am no expert in human psychology or behavior. But my guess is that humans had to be social in order to survive. As in early humans had a better chance at surviving when working in groups. So this has been built in our DNA. Once we start becoming alone, our bodies might sense something is wrong and it might kick into extra high alert. This is just me guessing.
I think it's about comparing ourselves to others.
@@user-pl5gg6vi8j You can't know who you are and what you really want until you separate yourself from everyone and everything in the world. You also cannot rely on feeling happy or fulfilled by other people. You have to learn how to be happy and fulfilled on your own that's the only way to have healthy relationships with other people when you do invite them into your life. Otherwise you end up being codependent and that leads to unhealthy relationships.
Just cause your alone doesnt mean you have to be lonely. And being man doesnt mean that you isolate yourself
My personal theory is that when left to your own devices, you’ll cling to ideas. You need other people to bounce ideas off of, and if you’re surrounded by good people, they’ll help keep you “in line” so to say.
If you cling to a bad idea, run with it, and go unchecked or unchallenged long enough, it will fester and bring about disaster for you.
Absolutely right...
Great vid pal, taxi driver is one of the most important movies in my life
Thank you! Glad you liked it 🙏
So nuts hearing you say you watched it at 13, and it changed your life and personal philosophies. I watched it after I had gone on my first tour to Iraq, and frankly I thought "Oh no, I can see the similarities of us modern veterans." Then I went on my second tour and after I came home again I became Travis, minus the violence and vigilante/hero complex.
What we are exposed to can truly educate us and change us. If I had seen this before I ever enlisted maybe I would be someone completely different today. At the same time, if I had I wouldn't be like Travis in the way I think most people appreciate him. Not that I'm good or insightful, but I'd rather be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war. Growing up is living with your trauma, and realizing you wouldn't have it any other way because, who else could I be?
I watched it for the first time at thirteen but after many years of being an angry and secluded person I watched it and learned from it (just to clarify). This is a great comment, I appreciate the openness.
“minus the violence” but went on two tours 😹
Thank you for your comment. I love the last sentence.
One of my best friends was a Marine who loved Taxi Driver. He even borrowed my DVD copy and took it with him to Afghanistan. He brought it back, along with the PTSD that led to us losing him to suicide two years after he came back stateside. It is one of the best films about the tragedy of isolated masculinity.
Excellent video, thank you for creating it.
As someone who has dealt with social rejection all my life I am only now, aged 40, making my peace with it rather than letting it consume me
This is such a good analogy of loneliness. Thank you ❤
This is such a well put together study on this iconic film. I love your personal insights too and think these lessons are really important especially in today's society. I've subscribed and look forward to watching more of your awesome work.
Great analysis, definitely felt the pain 😢. The music is spot on as well to set the mood.
Wow what an amazing synopsis. Was completely enthralled with the video. I think it was your personal connection to the film that made the video so entertaining. Great job!
Some people enjoy being by themselves. They're comfortable with their routines and their hobbies. They're almost misanthropes and really don't care for the company of others.
That's about how I am. I do like people once in a while though, but only people I feel like I have something in common with and can actually talk to without things being really superficial.
feeling lonely, being a misanthrope and being an introvert are three different things, sometime one can be all of these but other times they can be only one or two of these, you shouldn't conflate all of them together as one thing. someone can be an introvert and mostly enjoy being by themselves but that doesn't mean they hate people or that they feel lonely, it just means they don't have the energy to be with a lot of people for a long time. someone can be the life of the party, go out all the time, have plenty of friends and still feel lonely inside and then there are just people who hate others, which can stem from many reasons.
Very thorough take on a cinematic masterpiece. It was a pleasure watching and I hope you’re good.
Amazing video, dude! Keep on it! Such deep and accurate analysis of the film deserves lots of subs 👏
I’ve been alone my entire life evn in my own family I like it to be honest all I need is to be out in nature
It's not even nature necessarily. We just have to stop feeding into things we want all the time.
Find an outlet. Maybe going outside for runs is something you should do 🤷♂️.
Damn dude I randomly clicked on this but you really took me on a journey. This felt like a really fresh take on taxi driver in a sea of movie essays based on the literally me movies. Loved the meta-analysis, the self-awareness and the positive ending. Cheers
When I watched this movie for the first time I was living in a one room set at the top floor I used to go outside just to eat and I had been doing the same thing for 5-6 month as I'm not that extrovert I didn't had much friends and it was after my college so many of friends had left the city for further education and only one friend was left in my locality but he was a busy man so i was not meeting him everyday,as I used to play football for my college team being fit was my priority so I was doing all the exercises in my room.when I first watched that movie it was so relatable and hypnotic and I always like to live in solitude so watching this was more relatable then ever before and I thought It is the best movie I have ever watched but I never watched it again because I don't want this to become boring, this movie is like a special occasion wine that you don't drink to often.
@@MansplainingMovies I commented this on some other video of analysis of taxi driver 4 years ago but I also wanted to share it here too ... I won't say most of the people relate to this completely but to some extent , be it loneliness or not having a partner or having no purpose. When i watched this movie for the first time I never thought it would be that impactful what I learned from this movie that you don't need to be Travis and you don't need to move on either you just accept the reality if possible try to change it if not just live with it.
Sorry for my English I'm not a native speaker.
It's good to know people learn from the film just like I have 🙏
Loneliness is bad but solitude is bliss. You have to be ok with yourself. We are born alone and we die alone. Facts.
Damn dude, Ive never watched this movie but now I feel like I need to.
Gotta watch it!
You have to!!!
a must
It's life changing man
You should also watch the music video for David Bowies song "I'm afraid of Americans".
Great song!👈😂👍
Great video. Thank You. All that time you spent making it was worth it.
This is a great analysis, this movie is one of the best. One of the most relevant films ever made. There is sadly so many people out there like Travis. Taxi Driver is a masterpiece it really gets inside your head and it’s sad
This was the video I needed at this very moment. Thank you.
Needed this today, great insight, for real.
The first minute cut hits home so much, somehow. When you're oppressed by the feelings of loneliness and absence of purpose, you can't really share that with anyone, because even if you find the right words, they are not getting accross, because people you're talking with are not there with you and just blank out, and even if they understand, nothing they can say will make it better, nor are they responsible for what is in your head - at the end of the day, the only people that are capable to truly care (as opposed to pretending to either because they need something from you or so that you leave them alone) are your family - and that if you are lucky.
I never heard of this movie, I’m gonna watch it now! Thanks for sharing
Incredible analysis. I never really liked the movie but I’m excited to rewatch it after this.
Great analysis on this masterpiece of a movie 👏
This Video found me on the Right time. I was being alone long time (almost 4 years now?) after a bunch of traumatic experiences. I always thought that’s how I get my peace. Just going home, smoking a J and playing PlayStation. I work in a job where I have to work with all kinds of people. They love me, atleast that’s what I keep getting back from them. But I kept looking away how I deteriorate myself. Same goes for women. I am very good with them, till the relationship goes deeper. Then I just turn around, out of fear of being hurt, while hurting them. (I fumbled some really, really good Women.) Thanks for this. I’m gonna pick my balls up and work on it.
Good analysis of the film. Definitely one of my favorites
What makes me keep going is that, from tine to time i glimpse into some people who are actually nice and im just glad that kind of people exist in this world, but still, i can only stare at them for a few instants before im alone again
one of my favorite movies, always love watching new interpretations on it. i’m shocked you watched it so young! i was 17 during my first viewing and it was insanee, can’t imagine it at 13! great video!!💯🔥
Best video I’ve seen in a while.
Beautifully done.
great video, great movies like this invite rewatching and get better and better upon more thinking about it. just like you show with character decisions, lighting, angles, costumes, everything. it all has something behind it and paints a deep, and real picture.
Being alone built my mind
Good. The point of the video is that Travis chose to let loneliness destroy his mind as loneliness was something he chose to be victim to. I learned from watching Taxi Driver that when feeling alone, you have a choice to either feel bad for yourself or grow from it.
Being Alone is different from being Lonely.
I’ve always heard of this movie but have never seen it nor knew the significance. Fantastic video. Subbed. Hope to see more content!
I'm a fan of Taxi Driver since I'm 13 and it helped me A LOT to analyze myself and be aware of not letting my personality go dark places. I'm 21 now but still pretty alienated from interaction with other people, trying to get over it but at the same time just learning to enjoy loneliness too
You’re explaining my exact thoughts of this movie and I never finished it cause it related too much to me and my actions as of recently. Spot on dude.
It's not loneliness alone that creates people like Travis.
It is mainly the environment in which he is lonely. Travis is right, the city is a rotten mess and he sees it every single day as a taxi driver - does that legitimize him taking things into his own hands and putting innocent lifes at risk - no. But you can definitely empathize with his spite for the city and the people living in it and the amount of heartfelt that is present when he tells the politicians in the taxi that they ought clean up the entire mess.
When you create an environment that makes already mentally unstable and lonely people feel not only isolated, but actively disgusted and vengeful towards their fellow human beings, you are setting up a catapult/leverage that is going to snap, sooner or later.
Sure Travis could have gone out more, went to church or searched for more friends. But that's not going to change the environment that he and everyone else has to endure, which itself takes a toll on perfectly healthy people.
I happen to enjoy my time alone and do what I feel like doing with my free time. I had long and short term relationships and I appreciate them, but learning to be emotionally independent of anyone is very beneficial.
That was awesome, thank you 🤘🏿
I have been so painfully aware of my own loneliness recently and it’s really been bothering me. I don’t know why I thought searching ‘Taxi Driver loneliness’ would have made me feel any better, but I guess there’s possibly comfort to be taken from the not feeling lonely in your loneliness aspect if others feel the same… I don’t know.
What an important and painfully relevant movie now, in 1976 and for as long as humans walk the earth. Thanks for making the video.
Thank you very much making this video!
Your narration of this film really struck a chord in my mind. I was a loner in middle school, high school and technical-community college. Even in large crowds, I’d still get very lonely because it really does feel like I don’t belong anywhere with my personality.
Quite striking to me how I could also relate with the main character Travis. I hold down a full time job, am not a pushover, but I don’t consume alcohol, pills and porn. However, I too also get frustrated with general society at times and also feel the pain of how there isn’t any “higher sense of purpose” in human life these days.
And damn, I also get the feeling of “victimhood” too at times. Just a re-occurring thought that keeps on coming up in my mind throughout the day when I’m awake…
At the end of all this, what really kept me going was and still is, my trust in Christ and the teachings found in the bible. Truly, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the Holy Bible helping to guide me through my miserable (lonely) life that I’m existing in right now.
God bless you if you made it this far!
😢 god bless you brother
@@joshrodriguez238 Thank you for your kind words.
Just seems to me that as time goes on, there are more healthy young men becoming loners who are completely shunned out of society.
Speaking from experience, when a person feels lonely/unable to genuinely connect with anyone for a long time, they start to feel that they are fundimentally unlovable. That there is something *deeply* wrong with them. And over time they feel resentfull because these people usually aren't blind to the world around them in fact , like Travis, they're highly perceptive.
The problem is that all that perception is focused on the idea that the people around them "know" how "broken" they are on the inside. How small they feel in a world that's too big for its own good and that they are or will be judged for it every time they interact with someone. This, on top of alredy likely exhibiting antisocial behaviours, causes them to HATE other people almost as much as they hate themselves.
I can very much relate to Travis, i hate the world, i feel disgusted towards it, yet i want to be a part of it, im tired of being lonely, trying constantly to connect with people and then pushing them away either because of my toxicity, my lack of social skills or how i can't actually have a normal conversation, but really i am deeply afraid of people, my guard is never down and i don't trust anyone at all, i hate myself, i think im malignant and evil at the core of my being yet even with this knowledge i can't manage to be good because it would just be too much pain to be vulnerable for once with anyone, my fear that they are gonna destroy me, treat me as trash, and deeply traumatize me again if i exposed my feelings and trusted them blocks me from any progression, it just feels like im a walking mask, like im not me, always distant and hiding behind a wall of toughness, cynisicm and anger, i can be good at superficial interactions but when the relationship actually starts to be real i run away and become distant, i either abandon the person or they eventually abandon me, im tired of this.
Get therapy
@@UselessRecordsIm already doing therapy
This may be the best Taxi Diver video essay I’ve seen. And trust me I’ve seen allot
Taxi Driver has changed for me as I've aged. The creator of this video will view Travis differently again when he gets older. I'm 43 & viewing Travis as a younger guy has been a trip.
This channel is gonna have hundreds of thousands of subs one day, great work! 🙏🏻
Wow, thank you! Means a lot! 🙏
Awesome breakdown 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Rewrote a reply i left here to a comment that struck me because so many comments here deserve a reply, so i hope you find this message when you rewatch this great video.
It's hard to make friends as an adult, really is. I emigrated, and struggled with the deepest depression and loneliness of my life after having the nost brutal falling out with the one friend i had in this new country. Im lucky to have made it out of that hole. Had to change city and focus on hobbies and self betterment. The gym helps a lot. Getting yourself in contexts where you can have casual contact with people is a start, a group hobby like a sport, book club or one of those tabletop game shops. Truth is, it's not easy and this isn't great advice. Specially as depression and loneliness make you less motivated and less able to be easygoing and spontaneous with people. There's a lot of luck involved in crossing the right people. But one thing is certain, you have to take care of yourself and get out there, so that luck is possible at all. Otherwise you'll fall into yourself. Some days it's impossible I know. Rest in your corner. But afterward try again, please, dont give up on yourself never.
Hey, I found this from letterboxd. Great analysis! I never thought of the framing of Taxi Driver like that, especially in the first scene you talked about!!
Thank you! I love the profile pic! Bulma is 1 of my favourite anime characters! I will make some big videos on dragon ball 1 day. Subscribe if you haven't already 🙏
I enjoyed your explanation and exploration of Travis in Taxi Driver.
But his loneliness is what saves a young girl from her pimp.
Everybody else just ignores whats happening, but his alienation is what allows him to act outside of the sick norms hes surrounded by.
Hes not a perfect character (clearly), but his mind doesnt deteriorate because of being alone, its because of how sick everything is.
His biggest issue is his biggest virtue: hes not bound by rules of complacency
"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society."
travis is as sick as the society he is in and the ones he despises. there are plenty of ways to deal with that situation and going ape and killing a bunch of people isn't it. the movie criticizes society but it never shows travis as a hero, if u think that then you didn't understand the movie
save? the epilogue is a delusion.
@@hummanmass Even if it isn't read as a delusion, the only reason he ends up "saving" the girl in the first place is because his original plan to literally assassinate a politician fell through. The message to me is that consequences and intentions are not necessarily entangled in the way third parties portray. Travis is inherently dangerous and unstable regardless of the interpretation of his violence. He's a walking bomb. The shot of him looking in the rear-view mirror feels ominous and chilling for a reason.
I also personally like to read the manner of Travis' choice of target for his violent acts as an illustration of how those who rule over others have systemic protections against retaliation from the alienated segments of society that they rule over. They insulate and protect themselves from the actual consequences of their policies and decisions. That bubbling violence is then redirected inward towards other vulnerable, alienated and marginalized people/groups. It's the path of least resistance. He went from being a potential villain to a "hero" because the lives he took do not have value in the society he lives in.
I think my biggest luxury in the second half of my life has been living alone. I'm always in good company. I'm always on the same page as myself. Feeling lonely only happens when I am around people. I don't think I'm a psycho. You'll have to ask my dog.
It's good. I do think we as people have a choice in how we react to being alone, you can either see the good of it or play victim
I'm turning 30 soon and I've never pursued a relationship. I feel amazing despite everyone telling me that I'm not. The worst part is when people try and gaslight, saying that I'm just lying to myself or coping.
wonderful analysis. I would never watch this film because of the violence, which would get indelibly stuck in my consciousness, but I feel like I've taken in the most important aspects of it through your video.
perfect music choice for this topic 🔥
Do you know what the song is?
noo ;(
I got diagnosed with schizotypical personality disorder when I searched fictional characters with stpd Travis bickle popped up along with Willy Wonka. I watched taxi for the First time and jaw dropped because of how relatable he was to me (well I don't carry a gun around that is or hurt) but his character and the way he carries himself is like watching myself. yes I have the same temperament, thought patterns and oddness it was one big mirror for me
God Bless you 🙏🏾🩷, may God protect over you & your family Amen 🙏🏾🩷
Great video. Keep up the good work
Mansplaining is such a important thing. It the attempt to truly making yourself understood, because mistakes can be fatal
“That mechanism of not having what you can get (Betsy) and not wanting what you have (Iris) is the mechanism of loneliness”
- Paul Schrader (Screenwriter of Taxi Driver)
Great video, I was extremely surprised to see that you only have 413 subs. I thought for sure you would have at least 100K. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! 100k would be nice, my channel is only quite new though. Maybe 1 day 🙏
@@MansplainingMovies Then you are going places, keep up the hustle.
Great analysis! You have earned a subscriber!
Excellent analysis, subscribed.
hi man i'am from your letterboxd comment, so happy to see this great community. I really love cinema and one of my favorite directors is Martin Scorsese, one of the things I also enjoy is watching video essays about films, I think it's just great to see what other people think about the meaning of the film. I saw you also watched the Ghibli film Spirited Away, I really like Ghibli films, they are very special to me personally, love to see your video essay on Ghibli films :D
Thank you! I appreciate it a lot and am thankful for the letterboxd community giving me support in the early days of my channel. Spirited Away is my favourite animated movie ever, I will definitely give all my favourite ghibli movies a video like this one. I also have a video about Akira if you are an anime fan!
I watched this for the first time last year. I'm in a movie club which will screen older movies in the cinema, which has been a really cool way to experience movies from before my time. These screenings are typically more packed than when I go and see a new movie that is currently in cinemas. I've watched plenty of classic movies on a laptop and still been moved by them, but watching it alongside an audience of 800 or so people on a decently giant movie screen is more fun.
It was easy to see why Taxi Driver has become a classic. It's very emotionally grueling but also stunningly well shot and in parts it's quite funny. It's really cool to see actors I am familiar with as old guys, like De Niro and Albert Brooks, when they were younger. The movie is near 50 years old, but the core messages of the film may be as pertinent today as they were when it was originally released.
My only big gripe with the movie is how overused the theme music is. That saxophone motif is playing for like 10-20% of the runtime and it borders on ridiculous.
Great comment! 🙏
I love the music. 🎶
Great video and analysis, brother
You are underrated. keep up the good work.
Strangely enough I have a girlfriend, friends and family yet still feel enough loneliness to relate to Travis Bickle. It's not about physically being alone it is feeling disconnected, misunderstood and unheard at all times, even when surrounded by people who love you. It is something to overcome and transcend though, not wallow in like Travis.
Hey man. Followed your link. Great video essay!! I actually learnt a couple of things. And now I need to watch Pick Pocket and The Searchers to help with my The Batman essay I'm writing.
Thanks! Good to know it was informative!
Great character analyses...I am gonna re-watch Taxi driver. Thank you.
That was way deeper than i thought while trying to sleep at 3am on the couch with a stiff neck. Welldone m8
This my favorite movie of all time
The worst part about loneliness is when you don’t even care about it anymore. When you’ve accepted it for years.
This movie, to me, highlights the importance of Faith even more to me. Everything Travis is looking for can be found through spiritual introspection and prayer. Seek God, that's all you really need.
I watched this when I was around 13 in the middle of lockdown and found it so relatable and comfy feeling. Weird looking back on that and how I felt about it then.
I am 23 and this movie is still super relatable to me.