Taxi Driver at FACT

Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor

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Taxi Driver

FACT, City Centre
2 April 2017

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Taxi Driver is one of those films that consistently makes those ‘best of all time’ lists, that is repeatedly hailed as a era-defining masterpiece, and held up as the best work of both its star, Robert De Niro, and its director, Martin Scorsese – neither of whom have particularly shabby resumes. Basically, it’s a film that comes with baggage and expectations. But it only takes a few seconds to remember what all of the fuss is about. The first notes of Bernard Herrmann’s (Citizen Kane, Psycho) booming score coupled with that swooping shot of the yellow taxicab set against the foggy Manhattan streets sets the tone for one of the greatest American movies ever made.

Scorsese – as he would go on to do repeatedly throughout his career – places us with an violent, antisocial protagonist and forces us to reckon with the world he inhabits. The anger and darkness inside of Travis Bickle (De Niro) is matched by the hellish cityscapes conjured by cinematographer Michael Chapman (Raging BullThe Last Detail). The film thrives on the clashing textures of its vision; grinding bleak, yet beautiful poetry from the garbage, racism, misogyny and death found in both the New York streets and Bickle.

Where to go near Taxi Driver at FACT

City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
Garden Cafe FACT

FACT Liverpool gets back to its coffee-with-creativity roots thanks to a foliage-full new café.

Liverpool
Restaurant
Next to Nowhere Café

Food From Nowhere is a weekly vegan cafe held in the basement space of much-loved radical bookshop News From Nowhere. It’s open every Saturday from midday to 5pm.

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Shop
News from Nowhere

News from Nowhere is a radical community bookshop selling texts on important current issues as well as leading social justice initiatives.

food and drink
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BAM BOO

BAM BOO delivers a slice of paradise right in Liverpool city centre, with indulgent meals and delicious cocktails.

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Bold Street Coffee

A super cool cafe at the top of Bold Street, Bold Street Coffee in Liverpool serves a range of specialist coffee, cakes and sandwiches.

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Maray

Much-loved Liverpool restaurant, specialising in forward-thinking small plate dishes.

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LEAF on Bold Street

Keeping Bold Street a hub of creativity, LEAF is more than a tearoom, it’s also a bar and thriving event space with a packed schedule of upcoming happenings.

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Arts Club Liverpool

Based in Liverpool’s old Royal Institute of Arts and Science building, Liverpool Arts Club is a great spot to catch small touring acts.

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City Centre
Bar or Pub
Cafe Tabac

Cafe Tabac is the longest running café bar in Liverpool, serving food and drinks to arty locals and curious newcomers.

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