If you consider yourselves lovers of film, I would like to ask you to subscribe to Lonesome Cowboy Productions, an afiliate channel that will be focused on the rollouts of original independant films, a link is in the description. Both Mansplaining Movies and Lonesome Cowboy Productions will be heavily active channels in 2025, I want my channels to contribute to a community of people who celebrate cinema. I also want the videos of Mansplaining Movies to be of a higher standard, I wrote a lot of them in a way that doesn't really represent myself and it makes me cringe when I hear people thinking these videos are an extension of myself rather than something made intentionally in a way that would increase engagement. In 2025 I will have the time in my life to actually take UA-cam seriously and Lonesome Cowboy Productions will be a big part of it. The Taxi Driver video I just think is corny, this video is not a representation of my actual thoughts and feelings at all. I know I can make a much better video than this one.
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.
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.
@@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 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...
you call that "social game" a reality? “A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.” ― Arthur Schopenhauer. just because Travis lost touch with reality doesn't mean it was due to solitude, it was due to his level of intelligence which is also shown in a movie quite clearly, solitude is like drug, you trip/handle it according to your level of IQ
@@tylerdurden5191 Exactly. My IQ is relatively high and I prefer solitude but can also interact really well with other people. Especially when speaking to a large group of people at the same time. I seem to thrive in those situations for some reason even though I prefer solitude. Kinda odd I know lol.
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.
@@Bubbleskittymaster 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?
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.
I just watched a video about astronauts and their loneliness. The psychologist in the video said this very thing. You can easily get lost in your thoughts and go down the wrong mental hole if unchecked. This was news to me because like everyone we think we believe to have logical and cogent thoughts but that isnt always true.
This is so real. When I was really going through it all, my thoughts would just float around in my head; negative assumptions of others, losing track of both time and objects, and just being a big mess in general. I’m doing better now, but still dealing with some of those memory problems.
and the thing is that you don't even realize that you are in a stupid rabbit hole of thoughts, on top of it all, too much loneliness makes you socially awkward and makes you suspicious of people you lose trust. People start going away from you bcoz you are uncomfortable and you think more and more that people don't understand you and it only confirms to your brain "see people dont understand me they make fun of me" If you open up and then you say to yourself "this is why I should continue to keep things to myself". its a cycle
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”
sounds like a chicken or the egg kind of thing to me. you need a good relationship with others to have a good relationship with yourself. where else does a good relationship with yourself come from? obviously, parenting at first. then hopefully a supportive friend group during school years. then coworkers and hopefully a partner. loneliness is poison and it makes having a good relationship with yourself harder, because you pursue self-destruction as a way to cope from the psychic damage of loneliness.
His loneliness has distanced himself so far from reality, that his loneliness ends up being the reason he cannot have what he wants - that's deep man, real deep. And I know I don't just speak for myself.
That line resonated with me as well, as I've felt like this before. I still think it's true that by being alone for a long time and letting social skills wither, you can find yourself in a position where you can't get a romantic relationship, BUT in truth it is not what you need to pull yourself out of the love-deprived hole you've put yourself in. As the video points out as well: To go straight for romance, when you haven't been able to connect to anyone on a much lower level, is to put your entire self-worth into this person's hands. And since you're likely idealizing this person and/or letting fantasies of them finally fulfilling your emotional needs diverge from reality (limerence), you will likely be crushed by the eventual rejection. Trying to go from being a total loner straight to getting romantically involved and lamenting that you're "too far gone" is like going to the gym for the first time, being unable to bench 300kg and exclaiming it is forever impossible to progress because you can't do a single rep to train up. Of course it is impossible to go straight for the end-goal, but you can lower the weight. What you need is to start with lower stakes and to practice general connection and friendships. These are the firtile soil a healthy romantic relationship can grow from. Your emotional eggs are no longer all in one basket and you can survive a rejection. This is not only necessary because it takes a few to find "the one", but also because showing the emotional stability to not *need* this other person is like the most basic green flag. No one wants to be made responsible for another's emotional state. To realize this is to realize that there are actually MANY layers of your being that are a bit fucked up or under-developed and it's painful to get hit with just how far you actually are from where you want to be. But at least, instead of having one insurmountable problem, you now have many that can be tackled, one at a time. It will take a long time, but all hope is not lost.
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.
@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.
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.
@@Wallflowerzizmeeveryone 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.
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.
Yes very important. This is why I’m happy I have a good friend of mine and we have a consistent tradition of smoking some weed/ wax and watching a movie every Sunday night. Having a good laugh and talking about our work week among a bunch of other things to. We’ve been doing this consistently for 7 years now
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 longer you're lonely, the harder it is to get back out there. I left my friend group two years ago because of personal reasons, and it has left me bitter and frustrated with almost everything around me. Every day is a battle. Thankfully I'm employed and I'm working towards something better, but it's hard out here guys.
The longer I stay lonely and keep meeting people that are friendly but nowhere near my level of intelligence and knowledge, the more I feel it's God telling me now you know how I feel!! And hurts alot because I don't think it's ever going to end even after death!! Sad reality is that I like myself, but loath these uneducated fools I coexist around and know I need to move somewhere better suited for people like me but can't afford it and everytime I do it morphs into something different soon after anyway so why even bother
I can also relate to him. But im also a relatively well adjusted autistic person with some social life. I haven't seen the movie but this analysis just screams about the bad kind of autistic experience Travis is going through.
You should always be changing something in your life. This movie is open to a lot of interpretation.... Sometimes you think you understand but you don't. What makes humans amazing is that we don't know a lot about them.
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.
Your anecdote is just that, and in no way describes the entirety of human loneliness as you seem to believe. Look down and you'll see the gutter. Look up and you'll see the stars. Being a pessimist is not the same as being alone or lonely.
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.
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.
@@JumpinFatJack if you feel that you really have to join the military, i have to emphatically recommend the air force reserves. other than that its not really worth it.
The truly sad thing about guys like Travis is that loneliness is a vicious cycle that works like this: 1. Often starting with an unfortunate childhood, no love and support from your parents 2. Your self-esteem lowers, it is harder to make friends 3. Your social skills deteriorate because you have no friends 4. You become desperate and self-conscious, making you appear even more like a weirdo and ruining your chances to make more friends 5. You fall into a depression and give up hope to ever make friends again
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.
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.
I've watched Taxi Driver once I started living on my own, the story of the movie hit all the right notes because I was, at the time, living alone, single and working night shift. Had basically no social life and barely had social skills (which I still struggle with, even as an adult). Movies like these are a rite of passage for young men because they show you a very real possibility of future when you close yourself to the world, even if the world has closed itself for you.
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.
Loneliness sucks. I grew up as an only child to a crazy family. Both immediate and extended. Ended up being estranged from extended for various reasons. Strained relationship with immediate for various reasons. Living alone now. Yeah, it can rot your mind.
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.
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.
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 great to feel comfortable living alone but doesn't life lose its purpose if your the only observer? If you can't effect anyone else I find most of life becomes unimportant
@PercyJackson93 l didn't say I don't have a life. There are 24 hours in my day. I have responsibilites. I have appointments. I'm with people a goodly part of my day. At night, or weekends, I see folks I've known for years. We go to dinner; we talk. We go to cultural events, we applaud. Afterwards, we talk. On weekends there are chores that take me to the grocery store, or a hardware store, or a barbershop. On Sundays, there's brunch with a group; then to the piers, or a park, sometimes a matinee. Idleness is not a deficit with friends. There doesn't always need to be a clock or destination. And throughout any of these activities, there's always people-watching, of which, I am consummate. Now it's entirely possible that on any given day when I feel I've hit my people quota, I go home after work, fix dinner, watch TV, write letters(yes), go slumming on the World Wide Web. Then out for our last dog walk of the day, where we often encounter others we've met out walking their pups at the same time. And then it's book time, real books. I read until I get sleepy. If it's a good book, that might be several hours. I decide. What living alone means is that I read without disturbing anyone, or hearing their complaints. I am not beholden to any mate, or partner, or spouse. I call the shots. I take in a movie if I want to. I go out of town if I want to. I meet the new people next door, if I want to. When I want to. Supper is when I get hungry, not when someone else gets hungry. Needless to say, I can definitely skip fruitcake without explanation. It so happens, I do like fruitcake, and don't have to listen to moans from a peanut gallery, more cake and raisins for me. Dog doesn't get raisins. To exit, I reiterate, in my life, I am the master. I am the "decider," as an illiterate president once remarked. I call my own shots, without feeling guilty to another person. The dog, who is my best friend, is another story, but he is a joy, not a pest.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I've been like this since I was 10yo I'm 26 now and I feel defeated dead and insanely stupid. Its okay because I have started to dedicate my life to other humans. My life is incapable of living so giving more life to others is the best decision I've made
loneliness doesnt destroy the mind. It destroys the ego, the part of the mind that relies on the validation of others. The part that needs recognition. You dont need that to be content. You need to accept yourself. Accept your thoughts. You dont have to agree with every thought. Just accept them as they are and continue thinking. Loneliness is self hate. Companionship is definitely desirable and I would say essential for certain asperations. But companionship doesnt cure loneliness. Self acceptance does.
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!
@@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.
I feel like this too. I’ve never had a meaningful romantic relationship either. It used to cause me great pain but I’ve since given up that desire. All I need is faith in Christ and to trust that His plan is right for me, even if it is a lonely existence.
Three words will change your life as it changed mine. I've been alone for most of my life, won big and lost big, and still standing. My upbringing shocks people which is why I rarely if ever bring it up ----- So Be It.
“Man is born to live in society. Separate him, isolate him, and his way of thinking will become incoherent, his character will change, a thousand foolish fancies will spring up in his heart, bizarre ideas will take root in his mind like brambles in the wilderness." - Diderot
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.
@@Network126 a good way to combat that is by doing hobbies you like, inevitably you will make acquaintances and friends that share the same interest as you and potential romantic relationships too. if you fixate on it and make it a goal to not be lonely or be married, things will be much harder and even if you find a partner that way, it probably won't be what you wanted or you might not be your real self just to get that relationship. if there are other reasons that make it hard for you, such as depression, then you need to ask for professional help, even though the hobbies thing might still be a decent start to work at that too. a good combo would be picking an active hobby, since working out will make you feel better mentally, you will be healthier physically and more confident too cuz you will start looking better and better. sadly going to the doctor or doing hobbies needs money, so if you are in a bad economical situation and are not living in a country that has build in support for that stuff things will be a little hard :(
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
And that's why this film is a true masterpiece. Anyone who blames Travis or loneliness is wrong and is to blame. They are the problem, not real people like Travis.
It's terribly sad to relate to characters like this. They either end up shifting your perspective towards being better for yourself or to just completely succumb to the comfort. I really liked what you said in one of your replies to a comment, about not being a hateful person, although that too can be painful. Your voice is comforting. Nice video.
"Loneliness destroys your mind" yet the most intelligent people spend most of their time alone. You can always find a fool in a crowd. The strongest man stands alone.
@@Kayhan9 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.
@@Kayhan9 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.
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!
Great analysis. Especially Travis' reflected image at the end not being seen. As a lonely person you see yourself very negatively, this is to help rationalize why you are alone. Taxi Driver is one of the most thought provoking films ever made.
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
First: This video is very well done. Second: The most important thing is that happiness comes from Self-fulfillment and not relationships with others. Too many people tie their happiness to their relationships and it's an unfortunate thing because relationships can be so fragile and fickle because people's feelings are so fragile and fickle.
My mom and sister were murdered about 4 years ago, my biological father is a drug addict, and I have no family or friends to talk to. All I do is work and indulge in hobbies. The title to this video made me realize that I've grown into a dull person who isn't nearly as articulate, in verbal conversations, as he was 4 years ago.
I never noticed till now.. Travis was tearing up..smh..man this film is brilliant, a real masterpiece by everyone involved. Travis is so relatable, i go through these moments of feeling sad and lonely, and depleted. Thank god for my art, and music, if it wasn't for my art life/career i don't know where I'd be. If anyone is feeling like Travis, THINK before you do something bad, especially yo yourself. Talk to someone,any one..tex a help line. Believe things get better ni matter what, it's just life. Always remember ni matter what you're going through....its just a Storm, it'll past. Be cool everyone..👊🏻 peace from Southampton England.. cheers
Just came across this video. The minute you said it changed your life in some way, i immediately paused your video and went right to watching the movie. I'm not a movie guy, at all. Whenever I get asked to watch a movie, I always say in my head 'why watch a movie when i can play a video game?' When i tell you this is the best movie I ever watched, i mean it. There's so much to this its so relatable I cant even put it to words. Wanted to say how I appreciate you posting this video. Watching Taxi Driver, then coming right back to finish your video.. much much appreciated. Your video is underrated and again, I appreciate you.
Even having just one person to safely confide with can really help for one’s psyche. Travis reached out to who he believed was that one person and was ultimately misunderstood. 18:27 well said my man, very well said.
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 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.
I was in rented room and worked in manhattan in a total dead end job..Paid so little and was living paycheck to paycheck. I was a shell of a human being. Was so lonely I cried so much.. I watched this movie in my room eating a pie and I thought, wow, I relate to this guy although I'm a woman. Travis is lonely and he's very socially awkward... So even if he approaches someone, he does it strangely. Also, the city life beats you down so much. You see corruption everywhere, crimes, and people who are cold. People who prey on others for their gain. you get so vigilent yourself and afraid to trust someone.. To the point you start wanting to fend for yourself and become something, which Travis did...You become insane at one point
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.
Based solely on my observation of this video, the main characters main issue is not loneliness. The character appears to be suffering from PTSD, ADD and or ADHD where loneliness is a symptom of each mental illness. From my own experience, I only felt lonely when I allowed other people convinced me that being “lonely” was weird and strange. One day I discovered that there are people who are Co-dependent meaning that they feel the need to have other people around them to validate their existence. They need other people to validate their emotions and feelings. I realized that I don’t require that. What I require is basic human interactions. A simple Good Morning from a neighbor or good afternoon from a bank teller. A thirty-minutes or so conversation with a cousin I haven’t seen in years. What I don’t require are fake friends who are jealous, narcissistic and don’t have manners nor do they respect my boundaries.
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.
@@MansplainingMoviesExcept it's not a choice. It's just time. Loneliness over time destroys the mind, no matter how much you try to cope over the loneliness.
Decided to watch this movie halfway through this video. Amazing piece of art. Its definitely something that makes you reflect on your life. Not the kind of movie that entertains you in a simple matter
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.
That's going to be my motto in life I'm 25 a single dad with three kids and as a young man I see the world totally different now, people only like the perception of who they think people are or what they think things is but as soon as they find out the truth they leave
I have a friend that is exactly like bob in this film. He is way out . But I still love him. From one day to the next he lost it. He tears up during a normal conversation. Its like his emotions fall to the for front of his dialogue
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 figured out for me that there should be sort of faith in the eventual positive outcome, forcing myself to be optimistic and not reflecting too much on many awkward interactions. But yeah, I just want to empathise the word "faith", because there is no guarantee that you'll meet soul mate out there, but it's not impossible, so the only way is to believe that one day it'll happen and until then trying to maintain yourself as best as possible (workout, meditation, good sleep, good food, some mental activity, keeping a hobby, trying to have a chat with family members and also occasionally talking to strangers [takes courage, that's for sure] and etc)
Yeah, loneliness does destroy you, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Most will find something to latch onto, others will live in denial for the rest of their lives, and the rest will end it all, because they can't cope. For me, I put everything into writing, video games, and not giving a fuck. We live in a world where people are becoming heartless, by the minute, and I doubt I will ever find "that one", after going through 26 years of failing in relationships, dealing with the memories of deceased children, and dealing with self-esteem issues, due to felling less attractive than others, and feeling unwanted by the greater part of society. Sorry for rambling. Just felt I had to get that out. Life isn't easy, and it's been brutal as fuck; just wish I had others who could understand me, and others I could talk to, about similar interests.
Loneliness shows you the world in the real colours, and the reality is always dissapointing. You see, lies can be shaped as you see fit, truth can't, but if you can embrace sad and painful shape of truth, you're free. Truly free.
It’s sad you can’t analyze a film like this without weirdos showing up to ignore every valid point you made and continue their sad ways. Excellent video
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
Jesus Christ, that clip right at the beginning is A+ acting. I feel like really subtle / genuine acting like this doesn't happen as much in movies anymore
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
@@Gisiebob 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.
To this day Taxi Driver is my favourite film of all time. I’ve gotten so attached to ideas that were not healthy, as I’ve spent very long times essentially completely alone for work, the loneliness has made me cling to them in very problematic ways. It’s a movie that has perfectly shown some of my personal struggles in life, and I don’t believe there will ever be a film that has affected me like it has.
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 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.
This is so relatable to me after being pushed into loneliness in covid and suffering through it now and and showing some signs of improvement. Instead of suffering through it , I embracing it as part of my personality. I have found it makes you really focused on certain things and cant on certain things which u don't like studies being a college student. I also discovered that meditation really helps in this situation because it connects mind and body together creating a state of harmony which helps in situations like this because we clearly know what's wrong and we can take steps to work on it.
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 🤷♂️.
@@Network126 Driving like that could indeed take you away from reality as a sense of escapism to idleness don't let it get to you add some spice to life brother although i know i have no idea how you must be going through but inspiration arrives often only when you keep yourself on you toes , embrace it and keep going 👊
If you consider yourselves lovers of film, I would like to ask you to subscribe to Lonesome Cowboy Productions, an afiliate channel that will be focused on the rollouts of original independant films, a link is in the description. Both Mansplaining Movies and Lonesome Cowboy Productions will be heavily active channels in 2025, I want my channels to contribute to a community of people who celebrate cinema. I also want the videos of Mansplaining Movies to be of a higher standard, I wrote a lot of them in a way that doesn't really represent myself and it makes me cringe when I hear people thinking these videos are an extension of myself rather than something made intentionally in a way that would increase engagement. In 2025 I will have the time in my life to actually take UA-cam seriously and Lonesome Cowboy Productions will be a big part of it. The Taxi Driver video I just think is corny, this video is not a representation of my actual thoughts and feelings at all. I know I can make a much better video than this one.
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.
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.
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.
"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...
Whoa..
This one is a mind fuck probably applies to me and thousands of other people 🪽
you call that "social game" a reality? “A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.”
― Arthur Schopenhauer. just because Travis lost touch with reality doesn't mean it was due to solitude, it was due to his level of intelligence which is also shown in a movie quite clearly, solitude is like drug, you trip/handle it according to your level of IQ
@@tylerdurden5191 Exactly. My IQ is relatively high and I prefer solitude but can also interact really well with other people. Especially when speaking to a large group of people at the same time. I seem to thrive in those situations for some reason even though I prefer solitude. Kinda odd I know lol.
"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
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
@@Bubbleskittymaster 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?
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...
I just watched a video about astronauts and their loneliness. The psychologist in the video said this very thing. You can easily get lost in your thoughts and go down the wrong mental hole if unchecked. This was news to me because like everyone we think we believe to have logical and cogent thoughts but that isnt always true.
I think you nailed it. Ideology festers where the spirit is lacking. True purpose negates the need for such rigid belief systems.
This is so real. When I was really going through it all, my thoughts would just float around in my head; negative assumptions of others, losing track of both time and objects, and just being a big mess in general. I’m doing better now, but still dealing with some of those memory problems.
and the thing is that you don't even realize that you are in a stupid rabbit hole of thoughts, on top of it all, too much loneliness makes you socially awkward and makes you suspicious of people you lose trust.
People start going away from you bcoz you are uncomfortable and you think more and more that people don't understand you and it only confirms to your brain "see people dont understand me they make fun of me" If you open up and then you say to yourself "this is why I should continue to keep things to myself". its a cycle
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”
That line hit me too! Like he said, I think we all have a little bit of Travis Bickle!
sounds like a chicken or the egg kind of thing to me. you need a good relationship with others to have a good relationship with yourself. where else does a good relationship with yourself come from? obviously, parenting at first. then hopefully a supportive friend group during school years. then coworkers and hopefully a partner. loneliness is poison and it makes having a good relationship with yourself harder, because you pursue self-destruction as a way to cope from the psychic damage of loneliness.
One can't have a relationship with one's self. This sounds like some postmodern psychobabble BS.
@@user1138Doesn't it mean to be "connected" to oneself?
Yeah that hit me like a train wreck not going to lie
His loneliness has distanced himself so far from reality, that his loneliness ends up being the reason he cannot have what he wants - that's deep man, real deep. And I know I don't just speak for myself.
That line resonated with me as well, as I've felt like this before. I still think it's true that by being alone for a long time and letting social skills wither, you can find yourself in a position where you can't get a romantic relationship, BUT in truth it is not what you need to pull yourself out of the love-deprived hole you've put yourself in. As the video points out as well: To go straight for romance, when you haven't been able to connect to anyone on a much lower level, is to put your entire self-worth into this person's hands. And since you're likely idealizing this person and/or letting fantasies of them finally fulfilling your emotional needs diverge from reality (limerence), you will likely be crushed by the eventual rejection.
Trying to go from being a total loner straight to getting romantically involved and lamenting that you're "too far gone" is like going to the gym for the first time, being unable to bench 300kg and exclaiming it is forever impossible to progress because you can't do a single rep to train up. Of course it is impossible to go straight for the end-goal, but you can lower the weight. What you need is to start with lower stakes and to practice general connection and friendships. These are the firtile soil a healthy romantic relationship can grow from. Your emotional eggs are no longer all in one basket and you can survive a rejection. This is not only necessary because it takes a few to find "the one", but also because showing the emotional stability to not *need* this other person is like the most basic green flag. No one wants to be made responsible for another's emotional state.
To realize this is to realize that there are actually MANY layers of your being that are a bit fucked up or under-developed and it's painful to get hit with just how far you actually are from where you want to be. But at least, instead of having one insurmountable problem, you now have many that can be tackled, one at a time. It will take a long time, but all hope is not lost.
@@ayuminor but what to do if you don’t even want to start building lower connections with people
@ayuminor what if people dont even want to be friends with you
@@ayuminor Wow, you have given me a whole new perspective brother. I needed this hear this so thank you, and all the best.
@@ayuminor Good to see a smart man here who understood the video
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 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.
@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.
It's scary to face this in first person and moreover be aware of, as if we are walking on some sort of edge
Holy fuck dude
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.
@@Wallflowerzizmeeveryone 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
@@radiokaput what mental problems? Let's not throw that word around if we won't be specific.
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.
yes bro im happy you made it out, im in the middle of that pickle and it's really taking my mind away but i hope I'll be as fortunate as you somehow
Yes very important. This is why I’m happy I have a good friend of mine and we have a consistent tradition of smoking some weed/ wax and watching a movie every Sunday night. Having a good laugh and talking about our work week among a bunch of other things to. We’ve been doing this consistently for 7 years now
Same
I know exactly what you mean.
Myth. Polar bears don't get lonely, and neither do resilient well educated humans.
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
Travis Pickle Rick
The longer you're lonely, the harder it is to get back out there. I left my friend group two years ago because of personal reasons, and it has left me bitter and frustrated with almost everything around me. Every day is a battle. Thankfully I'm employed and I'm working towards something better, but it's hard out here guys.
This is why people in tribes are often genuinely very happy. They don't have a lot, but they have each other.
The longer I stay lonely and keep meeting people that are friendly but nowhere near my level of intelligence and knowledge, the more I feel it's God telling me now you know how I feel!! And hurts alot because I don't think it's ever going to end even after death!!
Sad reality is that I like myself, but loath these uneducated fools I coexist around and know I need to move somewhere better suited for people like me but can't afford it and everytime I do it morphs into something different soon after anyway so why even bother
Yeah same, i barely know how to have a conversation at this point
I'm right there with you bro. Every day is a battle. But why??
Rebuild your social life. Find a hobby, join a group (for any sort of interest you have), and you can start from there. All the best 😊
the fact that i understand fully the emotions of characters tells me that i should probabily change something in my life
I can also relate to him. But im also a relatively well adjusted autistic person with some social life.
I haven't seen the movie but this analysis just screams about the bad kind of autistic experience Travis is going through.
You should always be changing something in your life. This movie is open to a lot of interpretation.... Sometimes you think you understand but you don't. What makes humans amazing is that we don't know a lot about them.
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.
Your anecdote is just that, and in no way describes the entirety of human loneliness as you seem to believe. Look down and you'll see the gutter. Look up and you'll see the stars. Being a pessimist is not the same as being alone or lonely.
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
Can i change this ? I 25 and im about to join the military soon . Im so lost
@@JumpinFatJack if you feel that you really have to join the military, i have to emphatically recommend the air force reserves. other than that its not really worth it.
My dad said I'm basically Travis Bickle, then i realized he basically called me insane
🤣🤣🤣
Ouch😅
Travis Bickle is an exaggerated allegory of the struggle inside all of us. Your dad reveals more about himself than about his subject.
The truly sad thing about guys like Travis is that loneliness is a vicious cycle that works like this: 1. Often starting with an unfortunate childhood, no love and support from your parents 2. Your self-esteem lowers, it is harder to make friends 3. Your social skills deteriorate because you have no friends 4. You become desperate and self-conscious, making you appear even more like a weirdo and ruining your chances to make more friends 5. You fall into a depression and give up hope to ever make friends again
.
good explanation
This, but the regression is rapid. A person's reaction to it, and at which stage in life they hit it is when and or where a problem comes to play
Tbh i prefer to be alone more than in society thats what i became from being to much alone
Wow 💯
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've watched Taxi Driver once I started living on my own, the story of the movie hit all the right notes because I was, at the time, living alone, single and working night shift. Had basically no social life and barely had social skills (which I still struggle with, even as an adult).
Movies like these are a rite of passage for young men because they show you a very real possibility of future when you close yourself to the world, even if the world has closed itself for you.
🐐
I live alone and work nights
Loved the line about gambling your happiness on the actions of other rather than yourself. Great video man!!!
My mind has been severely hurt and damaged by loneliness. 5 years can really do something to ya mind
My family was always there (for support) for me. I wasnt a shut-in. I tried making a semblance of friends but failed miserably.
Quit drugs go to the gym put a hoodie over your head and workout everyday
Quit the gym and working out everyday, put a hoodie over your head and do drugs.💉💊😏
@@yungblade7 amen
@@yungblade7 Rocky?
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.
Loneliness sucks. I grew up as an only child to a crazy family. Both immediate and extended. Ended up being estranged from extended for various reasons. Strained relationship with immediate for various reasons. Living alone now.
Yeah, it can rot your mind.
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.
Loneliness is bad but solitude is bliss. You have to be ok with yourself. We are born alone and we die alone. Facts.
If more people accepted that loneliness is a normal state, we would all be better off.
Your supposed to be born with your mother and father
Thats the beginning of your life
When there lives end
You burry them
And your kids do the same
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
It's great to feel comfortable living alone but doesn't life lose its purpose if your the only observer? If you can't effect anyone else I find most of life becomes unimportant
@PercyJackson93 l didn't say I don't have a life. There are 24 hours in my day. I have responsibilites. I have appointments. I'm with people a goodly part of my day. At night, or weekends, I see folks I've known for years. We go to dinner; we talk. We go to cultural events, we applaud. Afterwards, we talk. On weekends there are chores that take me to the grocery store, or a hardware store, or a barbershop. On Sundays, there's brunch with a group; then to the piers, or a park, sometimes a matinee. Idleness is not a deficit with friends. There doesn't always need to be a clock or destination. And throughout any of these activities, there's always people-watching, of which, I am consummate. Now it's entirely possible that on any given day when I feel I've hit my people quota, I go home after work, fix dinner, watch TV, write letters(yes), go slumming on the World Wide Web. Then out for our last dog walk of the day, where we often encounter others we've met out walking their pups at the same time. And then it's book time, real books. I read until I get sleepy. If it's a good book, that might be several hours. I decide. What living alone means is that I read without disturbing anyone, or hearing their complaints. I am not beholden to any mate, or partner, or spouse. I call the shots. I take in a movie if I want to. I go out of town if I want to. I meet the new people next door, if I want to. When I want to. Supper is when I get hungry, not when someone else gets hungry. Needless to say, I can definitely skip fruitcake without explanation. It so happens, I do like fruitcake, and don't have to listen to moans from a peanut gallery, more cake and raisins for me. Dog doesn't get raisins. To exit, I reiterate, in my life, I am the master. I am the "decider," as an illiterate president once remarked. I call my own shots, without feeling guilty to another person. The dog, who is my best friend, is another story, but he is a joy, not a pest.
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.
Beautifully said.
At last! Someone who watched and tried to understand the film!
Great vid pal, taxi driver is one of the most important movies in my life
Thank you! Glad you liked it 🙏
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.
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.
Everyone you ever meet will make you suffer, you just have to choose the right ones to let into your life
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.
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
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.
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!👈😂👍
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 🙏
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,
"A purgatory of loneliness".... Great quote, great analysis! Love the background, bluesy music. Subscribed!!!
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.
I've been like this since I was 10yo I'm 26 now and I feel defeated dead and insanely stupid. Its okay because I have started to dedicate my life to other humans. My life is incapable of living so giving more life to others is the best decision I've made
loneliness doesnt destroy the mind. It destroys the ego, the part of the mind that relies on the validation of others. The part that needs recognition. You dont need that to be content. You need to accept yourself. Accept your thoughts. You dont have to agree with every thought. Just accept them as they are and continue thinking. Loneliness is self hate. Companionship is definitely desirable and I would say essential for certain asperations. But companionship doesnt cure loneliness. Self acceptance does.
Truthfully
Wow you just spitted
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.
I feel like this too. I’ve never had a meaningful romantic relationship either. It used to cause me great pain but I’ve since given up that desire. All I need is faith in Christ and to trust that His plan is right for me, even if it is a lonely existence.
Three words will change your life as it changed mine. I've been alone for most of my life, won big and lost big, and still standing. My upbringing shocks people which is why I rarely if ever bring it up ----- So Be It.
“Man is born to live in society. Separate him, isolate him, and his way of thinking will become incoherent, his character will change, a thousand foolish fancies will spring up in his heart, bizarre ideas will take root in his mind like brambles in the wilderness." - Diderot
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.
Not me. Being lonely drives me insane. I want a relationship so bad. I'm 36 and never married.
@@Network126 a good way to combat that is by doing hobbies you like, inevitably you will make acquaintances and friends that share the same interest as you and potential romantic relationships too. if you fixate on it and make it a goal to not be lonely or be married, things will be much harder and even if you find a partner that way, it probably won't be what you wanted or you might not be your real self just to get that relationship.
if there are other reasons that make it hard for you, such as depression, then you need to ask for professional help, even though the hobbies thing might still be a decent start to work at that too.
a good combo would be picking an active hobby, since working out will make you feel better mentally, you will be healthier physically and more confident too cuz you will start looking better and better.
sadly going to the doctor or doing hobbies needs money, so if you are in a bad economical situation and are not living in a country that has build in support for that stuff things will be a little hard :(
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
Watching this during the pandemic where peak loneliness and isolation was an experience
And that's why this film is a true masterpiece. Anyone who blames Travis or loneliness is wrong and is to blame. They are the problem, not real people like Travis.
It's terribly sad to relate to characters like this. They either end up shifting your perspective towards being better for yourself or to just completely succumb to the comfort. I really liked what you said in one of your replies to a comment, about not being a hateful person, although that too can be painful. Your voice is comforting. Nice video.
"Loneliness destroys your mind" yet the most intelligent people spend most of their time alone. You can always find a fool in a crowd. The strongest man stands alone.
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
@@Kayhan9 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.
@@Kayhan9 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
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!
Great analysis. Especially Travis' reflected image at the end not being seen. As a lonely person you see yourself very negatively, this is to help rationalize why you are alone. Taxi Driver is one of the most thought provoking films ever made.
Great analysis, definitely felt the pain 😢. The music is spot on as well to set the mood.
This is such a good analogy of loneliness. Thank you ❤
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
No wonder DeNiro is an angry, screwed-up old man. These actors are affected by the roles they play.
First: This video is very well done.
Second: The most important thing is that happiness comes from Self-fulfillment and not relationships with others. Too many people tie their happiness to their relationships and it's an unfortunate thing because relationships can be so fragile and fickle because people's feelings are so fragile and fickle.
You know what I hate? When the skip button for the ad, stays on 1 for a while 2 seconds
Very thorough take on a cinematic masterpiece. It was a pleasure watching and I hope you’re good.
My mom and sister were murdered about 4 years ago, my biological father is a drug addict, and I have no family or friends to talk to. All I do is work and indulge in hobbies. The title to this video made me realize that I've grown into a dull person who isn't nearly as articulate, in verbal conversations, as he was 4 years ago.
I never noticed till now.. Travis was tearing up..smh..man this film is brilliant, a real masterpiece by everyone involved. Travis is so relatable, i go through these moments of feeling sad and lonely, and depleted. Thank god for my art, and music, if it wasn't for my art life/career i don't know where I'd be. If anyone is feeling like Travis, THINK before you do something bad, especially yo yourself. Talk to someone,any one..tex a help line. Believe things get better ni matter what, it's just life. Always remember ni matter what you're going through....its just a Storm, it'll past.
Be cool everyone..👊🏻 peace from Southampton England.. cheers
Just came across this video. The minute you said it changed your life in some way, i immediately paused your video and went right to watching the movie. I'm not a movie guy, at all. Whenever I get asked to watch a movie, I always say in my head 'why watch a movie when i can play a video game?' When i tell you this is the best movie I ever watched, i mean it. There's so much to this its so relatable I cant even put it to words. Wanted to say how I appreciate you posting this video. Watching Taxi Driver, then coming right back to finish your video.. much much appreciated. Your video is underrated and again, I appreciate you.
This was a beautiful way to explain and explore the deeper meaning of this film thank you bro
Amazing video, dude! Keep on it! Such deep and accurate analysis of the film deserves lots of subs 👏
Even having just one person to safely confide with can really help for one’s psyche. Travis reached out to who he believed was that one person and was ultimately misunderstood. 18:27 well said my man, very well said.
This channel is gonna have hundreds of thousands of subs one day, great work! 🙏🏻
Wow, thank you! Means a lot! 🙏
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 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.
I was in rented room and worked in manhattan in a total dead end job..Paid so little and was living paycheck to paycheck. I was a shell of a human being. Was so lonely I cried so much.. I watched this movie in my room eating a pie and I thought, wow, I relate to this guy although I'm a woman. Travis is lonely and he's very socially awkward... So even if he approaches someone, he does it strangely. Also, the city life beats you down so much. You see corruption everywhere, crimes, and people who are cold. People who prey on others for their gain. you get so vigilent yourself and afraid to trust someone.. To the point you start wanting to fend for yourself and become something, which Travis did...You become insane at one point
realest comment all year..
Loneliness maybe, but not being a self chosen solitary man
Words of a lonely man ^^^
@@jack2skitz 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
@@jack2skitzyou don't know his bank account or body count pal stop assuming what he can or copes with
Cope
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.
Based solely on my observation of this video, the main characters main issue is not loneliness. The character appears to be suffering from PTSD, ADD and or ADHD where loneliness is a symptom of each mental illness.
From my own experience, I only felt lonely when I allowed other people convinced me that being “lonely” was weird and strange. One day I discovered that there are people who are Co-dependent meaning that they feel the need to have other people around them to validate their existence. They need other people to validate their emotions and feelings. I realized that I don’t require that.
What I require is basic human interactions. A simple Good Morning from a neighbor or good afternoon from a bank teller. A thirty-minutes or so conversation with a cousin I haven’t seen in years.
What I don’t require are fake friends who are jealous, narcissistic and don’t have manners nor do they respect my boundaries.
You hit the nail with this one
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.
@@MansplainingMoviesExcept it's not a choice. It's just time. Loneliness over time destroys the mind, no matter how much you try to cope over the loneliness.
Being lonely drives me insane 😢
Decided to watch this movie halfway through this video. Amazing piece of art. Its definitely something that makes you reflect on your life. Not the kind of movie that entertains you in a simple matter
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. 🎶
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 🤜
That's going to be my motto in life I'm 25 a single dad with three kids and as a young man I see the world totally different now, people only like the perception of who they think people are or what they think things is but as soon as they find out the truth they leave
@@ncmostnotoriousmurders I'm right there with you brother
“Loneliness is not a function of solitude.”
Welcome Back, Shinji Ikari
I have a friend that is exactly like bob in this film. He is way out . But I still love him. From one day to the next he lost it. He tears up during a normal conversation. Its like his emotions fall to the for front of his dialogue
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 figured out for me that there should be sort of faith in the eventual positive outcome, forcing myself to be optimistic and not reflecting too much on many awkward interactions. But yeah, I just want to empathise the word "faith", because there is no guarantee that you'll meet soul mate out there, but it's not impossible, so the only way is to believe that one day it'll happen and until then trying to maintain yourself as best as possible (workout, meditation, good sleep, good food, some mental activity, keeping a hobby, trying to have a chat with family members and also occasionally talking to strangers [takes courage, that's for sure] and etc)
Hugs homie, i know how that feels like. Hang tight
Yeah, loneliness does destroy you, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Most will find something to latch onto, others will live in denial for the rest of their lives, and the rest will end it all, because they can't cope. For me, I put everything into writing, video games, and not giving a fuck. We live in a world where people are becoming heartless, by the minute, and I doubt I will ever find "that one", after going through 26 years of failing in relationships, dealing with the memories of deceased children, and dealing with self-esteem issues, due to felling less attractive than others, and feeling unwanted by the greater part of society. Sorry for rambling. Just felt I had to get that out. Life isn't easy, and it's been brutal as fuck; just wish I had others who could understand me, and others I could talk to, about similar interests.
I definitely understand you and I’m in the same boat as you.. All I ever wanted was to feel loved, fit in but always got burned.
Loneliness shows you the world in the real colours, and the reality is always dissapointing. You see, lies can be shaped as you see fit, truth can't, but if you can embrace sad and painful shape of truth, you're free. Truly free.
Incredible analysis. I never really liked the movie but I’m excited to rewatch it after this.
It’s sad you can’t analyze a film like this without weirdos showing up to ignore every valid point you made and continue their sad ways. Excellent video
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
Jesus Christ, that clip right at the beginning is A+ acting. I feel like really subtle / genuine acting like this doesn't happen as much in movies anymore
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.
@@Gisiebob 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.
He is a perfect anti hero
@@metalface_villain "There are plenty of other ways of dealing with it" say the people who have yet to deal with it
This was the video I needed at this very moment. Thank you.
I’ve always heard of this movie but have never seen it nor knew the significance. Fantastic video. Subbed. Hope to see more content!
To this day Taxi Driver is my favourite film of all time. I’ve gotten so attached to ideas that were not healthy, as I’ve spent very long times essentially completely alone for work, the loneliness has made me cling to them in very problematic ways. It’s a movie that has perfectly shown some of my personal struggles in life, and I don’t believe there will ever be a film that has affected me like it has.
This may be the best Taxi Diver video essay I’ve seen. And trust me I’ve seen allot
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 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.
This is so relatable to me after being pushed into loneliness in covid and suffering through it now and and showing some signs of improvement. Instead of suffering through it , I embracing it as part of my personality. I have found it makes you really focused on certain things and cant on certain things which u don't like studies being a college student. I also discovered that meditation really helps in this situation because it connects mind and body together creating a state of harmony which helps in situations like this because we clearly know what's wrong and we can take steps to work on it.
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 🤷♂️.
That was way deeper than i thought while trying to sleep at 3am on the couch with a stiff neck. Welldone m8
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.
I went from being an Uber/Lyft driver to being homeless in an old van... Just wanna die already.
@@Network126pray for GOD to help you find a new way of living
@@Network126 Driving like that could indeed take you away from reality as a sense of escapism to idleness don't let it get to you add some spice to life brother although i know i have no idea how you must be going through but inspiration arrives often only when you keep yourself on you toes , embrace it and keep going 👊
@@anishsubba635 I don't want to live on this miserable planet anymore.
suffering from severe depression and anxiety now i understand this character with deeper understanding
this is a very relatable movie and i've been coping with it for 5 years, it gets better but its not perfect
Great analysis on this masterpiece of a movie 👏