Every day since 1976, someone has asked Robert De Niro, "You talkin' to me?" The fact that a legendary actor with five decades under his belt is still called out for a role he inhabited over 40 years ago speaks to the cultural significance of Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver (1976) and the character of Travis Bickle (De Niro). Scorsese’s masterpiece follows the Vietnam vet as he navigates the alienation and spiritual dislocation of 1970s America via his unraveling psyche. Bickle prepares to exorcise his rage by assassinating Senator Palantine (Leonard Harris). After assembling a small arsenal, Bickle fortifies his toxic machismo with a perverse pep talk in the mirror.

Source: acmi