#8: “You Talkin’ to Me?”

The indelible line “You talkin’ to me?” from “Taxi Driver” remains etched in cinematic memory, credited to Robert De Niro’s improvisation. In the 1976 film, the script merely suggested Travis Bickle, his character, talking to himself in the mirror, leaving the dialogue open to De Niro’s creativity.

With characteristic spontaneity, De Niro transformed the mundane moment into an iconic expression of Bickle’s simmering intensity and detached psyche. This improvised line not only encapsulates the character’s alienation and paranoia but also exemplifies De Niro’s mastery of his craft, contributing to the film’s enduring legacy and solidifying its place in cinematic history.