Isolation, a Callous Society, a Mentally Ill Protagonist: Cinematic Techniques and Character Ramifications in 'Joker' and 'Taxi Driver' Will Wilkinson 12th Grade

Todd Phillips's film ‘Joker’ and Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver both follow isolated, mentally ill protagonists, Arthur and Travis, as they explore the significant shift in the protagonist’s identity provoked by a callous society. However, Arthur a failed stand up comedian is bullied, separated and neglected by society inspiring a slow descent into the criminal mastermind of the notorious Joker, whilst Travis a New York City taxi driver is driven to save a 12-year-old prostitute from her pimp in an attempt to clean the filth off the streets. Phillips and Scorsese each depict the deteriorating psychological struggle of the mentally ill protagonists through the symbolism and diegetic sound of a maltreated society, as well as exhibiting the progressive psychotic disconnection from reality through the lighting and musical score. The evolving violent tendencies are also highlighted through the two directors development of the mise-en-scene and narrative structure to ultimately reveal how alongside deteriorating mental health prompted by isolation and callous societal acts can induce extreme identity transformations.

Phillips and Scorsese construct the opening scenes uniquely but both feature and utilise the introduction of the...