This Political Drama With 97% on RT Is One of the Best Yet Overlooked Korean Movies Ever Made
This film reminds us that history is made up not only of the names of great leaders but also of ordinary people whose quiet acts change the world.
When it comes to South Korean cinema, most viewers recall Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning Parasite or the dark detective drama Memories of Murder.
However, there's one film that rightfully ranks alongside these masterpieces yet remains underrated outside of Korea.
A Taxi Driver is a political drama based on real events. South Korea submitted it for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, but it was overlooked by the Academy. This, however, doesn't diminish its greatness.
What Is 'A Taxi Driver' About?
The movie is set in May 1980 during a dark period in South Korea under the military dictatorship of President Chun Doo-hwan. From May 18 to 27, student protests against the regime took place in the city of Gwangju and were brutally suppressed by the authorities.
During this time, Man-seob, an ordinary taxi driver, lives in Seoul. He is a simple-minded but kindhearted man who cares only about feeding his daughter. One day, he receives a request from a foreigner willing to pay a large sum for a ride to Gwangju.
The foreigner is German journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter, who lives in Japan. He is the only representative of a foreign media outlet able to reach the scene of the tragedy.
'A Taxi Driver' Shows the Power of the Common Man and Friendship Beyond Borders
One of the main reasons A Taxi Driver resonates so powerfully with viewers is its approach to depicting heroism. Unlike many movies about revolutions that focus on charismatic leaders, Jang Hoon pays tribute to the ordinary citizens who make change possible.
Man-seob is not a revolutionary: he doesn't understand politics or have an ideology and his primary concern is making a living. However, when confronted with injustice, he makes a choice that transforms him into a true hero.
The friendship between Man-seob and Hinzpeter deserves special attention. Despite the language barrier and cultural differences, two people from completely different worlds – a Korean taxi driver and a German journalist – find common ground.
Their mutual support, born out of horror, becomes a symbol of how human solidarity can transcend all boundaries.
Kim Man-seob in 'A Taxi Driver' Is One of Song Kang-ho's Most Powerful Performances
When discussing A Taxi Driver, it's impossible not to mention Song Kang-ho, one of the greatest actors in modern South Korean cinema who's known for his roles in Parasite and Memories of Murder.
In this film, he probably delivers one of the best performances of his career. His character undergoes a profound transformation – from a cynical taxi driver who only agrees to drive a journalist for the money to a man willing to risk his own life for the truth.
The finale of A Taxi Driver, in which actual footage and photographs of the real Man-seob are shown, is truly heartbreaking.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'A Taxi Driver'?
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A Taxi Driver has 97% from critics and 83% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.9/10.
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On Letterboxd, A Taxi Driver scored 4.2/5.0.
Where to Watch 'A Taxi Driver'?
A Taxi Driver is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
