Terry Gross

Though some people might find that judgment very questionable when it comes to Taxi Driver.

But that's one of my very favorite films.

It's such a deep psychological study of the characters in it.

Did she approve of feminism once it, you know, started really blossoming?

Let's take a short break here, and then we'll be back.

If you're just joining us, my guest is Jodie Foster.

Her new movie is called A Private Life, and it opens in select theaters January 16th and more widely on the 30th.

I'm Terry Gross, and this is Fresh Air.

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I read it every Saturday after breakfast.

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So I want to focus a little on Taxi Driver since next month marks the 50th anniversary of its release.

So let's start with a clip.

Amazing.

Yeah.

And this is an example of your mother being brilliant in accepting the part for you and of being controversial because she accepted the part for you.

Because you play a 12-year-old and you were 12 when you shot this.

And you are what would then be called a prostitute and today a sex worker who has a pimp played by Harvey Keitel.

And Robert De Niro plays Travis Bickle, the taxi driver.