Robert De Nero plays disturbed Vietnam veteran Travis Bickle, who is sickened by the decadence he sees in society, as he drives the night shift in a taxi for a living. He becomes fascinated by an attractive campaign worker(Cybill Shepherd) for a presidential candidate, though her friend(played by Albert Brooks) doesn't like him, she agrees to go on a date with him, much to her later regret. Travis also tries to a help a twelve year old prostitute(Jodie Foster, excellent) to escape her squalid life. Events take a violent turn when he confronts her pimp(Harvey Keitel), and after his unsuccessful attempt on the life of the politician, decides to take on the pimp instead....

De Nero is excellent portraying this sleep-deprived and morally confused man, and director Martin Scorsese effectively creates a hellish atmosphere for the New York streets, but this film is simply far too unpleasant and jarring to succeed. The final shootout and aftermath is so bizarre and ugly, not to mention unbelievable, that it torpedoes the positive aspects, and becomes a misfire, though it is highly acclaimed by some.