Year in Review

Some movies concern the plight of individuals, and others concentrate on the problems of society as a whole. Martin Scorse's movie Taxi Driver, starring Robert De Niro explores the distorted view of one maladjusted member of society, Travis Bickle. His problem is that he feels anonymous and unimportant. He wants to be a hero, but he lives in a world in which heroism is impossible. He plans to assassinate a presidential candidate; however, he changes his mind at the last minute. Instead of killing the candidate, he guns down some criminals. Ironically, Travis becomes a hero- almost by accident. Francis Ford Copella's film, The Godfather focuses on society rather on the individuals. In this case, the society consists of the Mafia. Copolla studies the nature of power, especially as it is exercised by Don Corleon, the "Godfather" of the film. Played by Marlon Brando, the Godfather enjoys the absolute power of anyone who crosses him. Anyone who double-crosses him is likely to be eliminated quite brutally. Both films explore the relationship between the individual and society. Taxi Driver approaches the subject from the perspective of the individual. The Godfather focuses primarily on the society at large.Some movies concern the plight of individuals, and others concentrate on the problems of society as a whole. Martin Scorse's movie Taxi Driver, starring Robert De Niro explores the distorted view of one maladjusted member of society, Travis Bickle. His problem is that he feels anonymous and unimportant. He wants to be a hero, but he lives in a world in which heroism is impossible. He plans to assassinate a presidential candidate; however, he changes his mind at the last minute. Instead of killing the candidate, he guns down some criminals. Ironically, Travis becomes a hero- almost by accident. Francis Ford Copella's film, The Godfather focuses on society rather on the individuals. In this case, the society consists of the Mafia. Copolla studies the nature of power, especially as it is exercised by Don Corleon, the "Godfather" of the film. Played by Marlon Brando, the Godfather enjoys the absolute power of anyone who crosses him. Anyone who double-crosses him is likely to be eliminated quite brutally. Both films explore the relationship between the individual and society. Taxi Driver approaches the subject from the perspective of the individual. The Godfather focuses primarily on the society at large.