Along with being one of the greatest directors of all time, Martin Scorsese is also no stranger to controversy. Scorsese is accustomed to being the target of the media, from the shocking conclusion of “Taxi Driver” to the far less intelligent outcry over his critique of Marvel movies.
Most of the time, like in the two situations described above, the controversies are completely pointless, and it is obvious that Scorsese has the freedom to say and portray whatever he wants. Regarding a different contentious part of “Taxi Driver,” on the other hand, it is more appropriate to challenge Scorsese’s morality.
In “Taxi Driver,” Robert De Niro plays taxi driver Travis Bickle, a Vietnam War veteran whose mental health deteriorates until he embarks on a violent rampage to save a 12-year-old sex worker, at which point the media hails him as a hero. It’s a fantastic movie with an incredibly prescient message about the celebration of violence in American media, but unless you entirely missed the term “12-year-old sex worker,” it’s clear why the film sparked some controversy.
Jodie Foster, who portrayed the young sex worker Iris as a 12-year-old herself, was the subject of considerable controversy. Some people thought that casting a real child in such a dark movie might gravely harm that youngster’s psychological development. Others find it repugnant just the thought of a kid sex worker being portrayed on film.
Foster, though, asserts that she never had a problem taking on the part. In a 2021 interview with Yahoo, Foster claimed that she thought other people were more uneasy about her in the part than she was.
Just another role
Foster believes she was largely psychologically unaffected by the experience, which is encouraging. While the opinion of someone who was twelve at the time the movie was filmed does not necessarily completely negate all criticism of her acting in the film, it is comforting to know that Foster believes this. Foster reveals in the Yahoo interview that it was just another part for her.
“I don’t think it was uncomfortable for me; I think it was uncomfortable for other people, but it wasn’t really for me. I had been an actress for a long time, I had done a lot of movies before I did ‘Taxi Driver.’ To me it was another role, and I understood the difference between making movies and actually being a person. So it wasn’t really impactful for me. I don’t think I was confused by the sexuality in the film.”
Foster reportedly had excellent treatment on set and underwent comprehensive psychiatric assessment before being offered the role to make sure the content wouldn’t have a negative emotional impact on her.
In a 2016 interview with The Independent, Foster said that the other cast members were the only ones having issues with her performance. “They found my personality to be quite unpleasant. No one knew where to point me. When Scorsese would say something like, “Unzip his fly,” he would just start giggling and be unsure of what to do. Scorsese would then hand it to Robert De Niro, who would then instruct me.”
Rightfully proud
I generally hold the view that films may address these kinds of morally unpleasant and forbidden themes as long as they do so with tact and a clear creative vision, even though there are undoubtedly many fair criticisms about casting a child in such a blatantly sexual role. I think “Taxi Driver” does an excellent job in this regard because, among its many assertions about American culture, it makes a strong statement about the condition of these juvenile sex workers.
Foster concurred that the movie contributed to bringing significant concerns to light. In the Yahoo interview, she stated, “I think the movie is a tremendously essential movie.” “It makes me really proud. We must talk about the intricacy of female sexual slavery since those girls were and are still alive now.”
Unquestionably, “Taxi Driver” has endured as one of Scorsese’s early masterpieces. Its elements have become recognisable and have inspired a number of outstanding movies in the future. Despite her youth, Jodie Foster gave a strong performance, and she played a significant role in the film’s emotional impact. She has every reason to be pleased with her performance. The actress stated, “So yeah, I felt quite happy about it. “I sometimes find it hard to believe I was so young. It surprises me how young I was when I think back and watch the movie. However, I’m happy with it.”
