Daily Dialogue — November 18, 2013

Travis: Where are you going?
Betsy: I have to leave now.
Travis: Why?
Betsy: I don’t know why I came in here. I don’t like these movies.
Travis: I didn’t know you’d feel that way about these movies. I don’t know much about movies. But if–
Betsy: This the only kind you go to?
Travis: Yeah, I come– This is not so bad–
Betsy: Taking me to this place is about as exciting to me as saying, “Let’s fuck.”

— Taxi Driver (1976), written by Paul Schrader

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is First Date, suggested by igetsbuckets. Today’s suggestion is by Illimani.

Trivia: When Paul Schrader was first writing the script, he believed that he was just writing about “loneliness,” but as the process went on he realized he was writing about “the pathology of loneliness.” His theory being that, for some reason, some “young men” (such as Schrader himself) subconsciously push others away to maintain their isolation, even though the main source of their torment is this very isolation.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary by Illimani: “This scene is about Travis failing to adjust to society’s conventions, despite his efforts. And still, Travis is the very product of this society in which he’s a hopeless outcast.”

NOTE: We could use more suggestions. Actually any suggestions as the cupboard is officially bare as of Day 1! Any memorable movie first dates you can think of? Please post in comments. Thanks!

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