I agree, Don Palentino (and welcome, ChiChi, btw!). In fact, I think it was his greatest role (so far). It's one of those interpretive movies, which may account for its lack of appeal among the vast movie-going audience (which is understandable). To me, the movie was about the "dark side" which lurks in every one of us. Most everyone can repress it and deny it, unlike Bickle. What scared me was how much I can relate to the psycho he portrayed (to an extent) . I thought the "Walking Contradiction" conversation (regarding Kris Kristofferson) explained Travis Bickle well. In my humble opinion, Taxi Driver is a masterpiece.