Films that document the frustration of people who live in the
perimeters of the society have always evinced much interest in film buffs
all over the world. What makes these films attractive to the viewer is the
theme, which brings about the frustration of some people on the general
lack of standards in social life. In fact, concern over the general
decadence of the society, coupled with strong emotional feelings that seek
to remedy them is one of the high points that have always attracted
attention from the general film viewers. It would be safe to say that such
films also reflect the need for the society to change its deviant ways,
which often goes unrepresented. Often such films spark off a series of
debates and discussions, because it induces people to think and debate on
the prominent issues that the society faces. Such films also expose the
decaying underside of the society, which would have been so cleverly masked
by a feeling of euphoria and abundance. The stark reality that unfortunate
people, who could have contributed much to the nation building process,
exist in squalid conditions evokes sympathy and self criticism in the
viewers. The movie The Taxi Driver also depicts such a scenario. The movie
describes the emotional and psychological struggles of desperate war
veterans who face social isolation and identity crisis in the American
The film "Taxi Driver" can be analyzed from many perspectives for its
content and story outline. It can be defined as a film that deals with the
issue of returning Vietnam veterans and their reaction to the social
ignorance and decay. The film also can be viewed as a strong message to
the society that is inching closer to social disaster each day with its
blind obsession to materialism and opulence. Whatever the reasons that
prompted the film, the message is quite clear: social restoration needs to
be expedited. In an overall perspe...