25.) Cybill Shepherd
In her autobiography, Cybill Shepherd claimed that she was treated poorly by both Scorsese and De Niro on set. Apparently De Niro asked the actress out and when rejected he refused to speak to her except for when they were in character. Regardless of whether or not any of this is true, her performance is very well controlled. She helps to bring to life the vision of the hard working female businesswoman who despite her academic prowess is actually in many ways very naive and stupid. Like a teenage girl she is drawn to Travis because he seems a bit edgy and out-there instead of being creeped out by a man who has been staring at her for hours outside of his window. She then seems surprised when this oddball, social outcast turns out to have a few psychological hang-ups.
26.) Long Working Hours
We don't know what Travis truly went through in Vietnam but we do know that the event has influenced his perception on both people and the world around him. Has Travis taken on the job of Taxi Driver cleaning up the "cum" and "blood" and working day and night driving through rough streets as a form of self-punishment? Is he creating a personal hell for himself owing to some of the violent acts he no doubt had to go through in the war? This theory would lend weight to the fact that the reason Travis can't sleep is because he is plagued by vicious nightmares about his past experiences on the battleground.
27.) Work It Out For Yourself
Part of Taxi Driver's enduring appeal is that like a lot of great films it still makes us question and interpret certain moments even after many repeated viewings. People can draw up different conclusions for different reasons and this is a result of a picture which doesn't spoonfeed audiences with answers but rather lets them draw their own conclusions. I really admire that aspect of the film.
28.) Michael Chapman's Cinematography
Chapman does an impeccable job of realising the sleaze and filth of New York streets as seen through the exaggerated, nightmarish vision of Travis.
29.) Man's Insecurity With Women
Taxi Driver highlights the difficulties that men have trying to interact with and understand women. Travis describes woman as cold and distant and refers them to as a type of "union", categorising them all as something he can't come to grips with. His treatment of Betsy is rather frightening going from being apologetic and sensitive to abrasive and angry with almost no middle ground between these two contrasting behaviour traits.