Opening Scenes and Characters - 'Taxi Driver'

In this post I will be analysing the opening scene for Martin Scorsese's 'Taxi Driver' and looking at how Scorsese uses film techniques to introduce the film's protagonist, Travis Bickle. 

In this scene Travis Bickle comes across to the audience as awkward, lonely and socially inept, with the director and actor introducing these key character traits (which create expectations about his actions later in the narrative) through a variety of techniques. 

His awkwardness is shown through his uncomfortable body language throughout the opening scene. He stands awkwardly and is constantly shifting around, unable to hold eye contact. His character traits are highlighted through the minimal use of camera movement, with the audience forced to uncomfortably witness his socially awkward nature. He is also shot from a lower angle than eye level, and while this angle is not low enough to reveal to the audience that he is evil, it still hints at his crazy and possibly wild nature. 

Another way that Travis' possibly crazy and murderous nature is hinted at is through the dialogue. We find out that Travis was previously enlisted in the marines, which further hints at his potential evil side, and that he may be unhinged/have PTSD, suggesting he may be traumatised by his experiences in Vietnam. 

The dialogue also shows how uncomfortable Travis is throughout the conversation, suggesting that he is socially inept (something that we see clearly later with his dealings with Betsy). His delivery of the lines is mumbled and monotone. He tries to make a joke to the employer but cannot read the room and the joke falls flat. The employer also makes a joke to Travis about going to porno-theatres but Bickle misses the humour and calmly responds with ‘I know I’ve tried’, showing his lack of understanding of normal social behaviours. We also learn that he can’t sleep and clearly doesn’t have friends or a social life, hinting at his loneliness. He also doesn’t understand the common phrases that the employer uses, like 'moonlighting', further solidifying him as socially inept.