1. What, where, and when did you view this art? (Students must view their selection somewhere in the time element of this course.) What is this work? (Define what the work is such as an oil painting or a full-length narrative film.) What is the content of this work? (Give a brief synopsis only.)2. Who is the author? (Research this artist and discuss her/his background or context. Make sure to document your use of sources using MLA style.) What historical or societal conditions and situations are influencing or motivating the artist? Are these evident in this particular work? If so, how and where, and if not, why not?

3. What is the author trying to communicate in this work? Decide what this artist is trying to “say” to us, or the purpose of the work; then, discuss how this author uses the elements and other components to make a point. Also, discuss if you have uncovered any research that supports or disagrees with what you feel the author is trying to communicate.

4. Does this work have merit? Did this author accomplish his/her intent? Does this work make you think differently? Is it worthy of your recommendation? Does it offer entertainment and messages that are relevant to this and future generations? What does this work communicate to you directly? Did you have any assumptions about this work and the author before contemplation and research? Relating to our core value, personal development, how did reflection and research on this work alter your thinking and how you perceive this artwork, and perhaps, the world?

Notes: use the MLA style to write this essay. It should contain an introduction and conclusion and employ proper grammar, punctuation, and syntax.

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Critical Thinking Assignment: “Are You Talking to Me?”

The phrase “Are you talking to me?” is from the classic movie “Taxi Driver” and was released in 1976 by Martin Scorsese as the director (Janaro and Altshuler). The phrase is used by Robert De Niro, a taxi driver who is a mentally unstable Vietnam War veteran, and the phrase provides an intense moment of confrontation and introspection. I watch the movie in a local movie theater during the eight weeks of our class. The focus of this paper will be to provide my experience of watching the film, analyze the message in the movie, and provide a reflection on the values and impacts of the movie.

Viewing Experience

I watched the film in a local movie theater on 9^th July 22, 2024, as I hung out with my friends at night. The movie is an American neo-noir psychological thriller with full-length drama and comedy from the taxi driver. As the driver drives into the city at night, he sees how the city is corrupt and degraded, which makes him angrier and isolated. The driver plans on saving the life of a young prostitute from a political candidate by killing him. The movies show how the driver struggles with loneliness and his search for meaning in life in a chaotic world.

Artist Background and Context

The author or director of the movie “Taxi Driver” is Martin Scorsese, a significant figure in American movies (Janaro and Altshuler). Scorsese was born in Queens, New York, in 1942. He grew up in an Italian-American neighborhood, which played a significant role in his films. The central themes in his movies include redemption, violence, and guilt; he attended the New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. The Vietnam War in the 1970s was among the societal conditions that significantly impacted the movie “Taxi Movie.” The movie reflects what is left after the war among many veterans, ailments such as mental issues, and highlights the major issues affecting society, such as corruption. The dangerous and dirty streets where the taxi driver drives cause him to have a mental breakdown, which is an indication of how individuals are affected by societal issues.

Critical Thinking Assignment Are You Talking to Me?

Artistic Communication

The author of the movie “Taxi Drive” shows the significant issues and challenges of moral decay and urban isolation. The taxi driver has a mental breakdown, which has led to him being isolated and disconnected from society. The movies also question what makes an individual a villain or a hero in society. Among the elements that the author has used to narrate the story is dark cinematography. This is evident by the powerful performance of the taxi driver, Robert De Niro, and the use of haunting music by Bernard Herrmann. The famous phrase the taxi driver uses, “Are you talking to me?” shows how the character is disconnected and his paranoia is growing. The driver stands in front of a mirror and starts practicing how to pull out his gun, indicating his inner struggles and his need for meaning in life and recognition. Research supports how the author used a character with different struggles to represent the hidden sides of individuals in society and how societal issues affect people.

Merits and Impact

The movie allows the audience to reflect on life in the city and personal isolation. The movie made me think about how isolation and societal neglect marginalized individuals and veterans should receive mental health support. The movie can be recommended because it has an engaging story and touches on what happens in society. Regarding the curriculum theme of ‘Self Improvement,’ analyzing ‘Taxi Driver’ impacted my perception of the human psyche and the role of society. It draws attention to people with illnesses of the mind and calls for their struggle to be appreciated as a social cause.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the movie “Taxi Driver,” directed by Martin Scorsese, is a powerful film that provides the audience with the reality of life, especially in urban areas where many people face isolation and increased moral decay among people in authority. Therefore, it can still be said that the film captivates the viewer, and its meaningful plot offers an insight into people’s lives. For this reason, the masterpiece of Scorsese is different from simple entertainment and provokes further reflection and character transformations, making it an eternal work.

Works Cited

Janaro, Richard Paul, and Thelma C. Altshuler. “The art of being human: the humanities as a technique for living.” (No Title) (2009).