Wow bravo Bret! Loved "Rough Ride!"!! Great soundtrack (of course), and awesome cinematography and direction, and I loved that you didn't show the driver's face--unless he was one of the guys in the beginning? I guess the obvious question is do you think Marty was influenced by your film when he was making "Taxi Driver"? I'm one of many huge fans of his works. "King of Comedy" is one of my favorites, though there are quite a few. Didn't know it was a commercial failure. I thought it was a masterpiece.
I was a cab driver in my early 30s for a few years in the mid-80s. A white girl in an all-Black company based in Palmer Park, MD, I started out as a driver with no sense of direction and became the hacker from hell on wheels. Of course as a female I only drove during the day. Sundays were a huge score as all the other drivers were watching football and I doubled and tripled pickups going to the airports. I definitely have stories.
Thanks for sharing. I look forward to watching the Apple TV documentary. And thanks for the "drive" down memory lane!
Without a doubt, you studied with Marty. Your film has echoes of his style of cinematography and makes the viewer believe they are experiencing cinema verite. And, where the music appeared was just perfect! If I can get a free trial of Apple TV I will definitely watch Ms. Miller's documentary. Thank you so much for sharing your work and passion with us!
Loved your film, Bret. It reminded me of a real, nitty gritty night in NYC. Dug the conversation about women cab drivers since I drove a cab after my husband suddenly died when I was in grad school. Of course, I was driving in Philly and Camden County, NJ, easier route than the Big Apple. I don't have Apple Plus, so I'll catch the documentary when it floats around to other networks.
You were so lucky to have Scorsese as a teacher. What a director! But then there's Thelma Schoonmaker, his long-time editor. Did you know her?
Lastly, I LOVED KIng of Comedy!!! One of my favorite, favorite films. Jerry!!! Hey Jerry!!!
But wait! Bret? Did Marty get to see your film? If so (and it’s hard to believe that he didn’t), what were any of his thoughts and comments??
Amazing insights you offered here! Thank you….
I was Lindsay Anderson’s assistant (the British term for this is assistant director) for a time in the 80s, for a stage play he was directing in New York. He once told me that he’d had an exchange of letters with Marty. Lindsay told me he'd written a single page letter, and Marty wrote back pages, and that the typewriter’s keys had been hit so hard, each letter, that they often poked holes through the paper.
Reframing technique as autobiography: interesting. Interesting, too, your description of Scorsese's relationships ending in combustion. Was this during his cocaine years?
“…reminds us that great art emerges from lived experience…and that creative vitality can persist.” Bravo. I knew virtually nothing about Scorsese, but your understanding of film and your fine writing drew me right in.
Except for some sound issues, with which my aging hearing were hard to synchronize, that little film of yours sure hits home as I drove a cab, too, to support my acting habit. Great characters!
By any chance, did you ever run across Victor Arnold or Victor Argo?
Bret, I love the article but even more I love your film. It's hysterical, and very human. What role did Richard Dubin play? Was he one of the crazy tunnel guys, they are great. Your film reminds me of a brilliant one I saw on a plane last year. Only 2 characters, Sean Penn plays the taxi driver... My bad, don't remember the title.
Yes, Dubin was the vocal tunnel digger. There was actually a better first take that had technical issues where they rub their heads together at the end.
Hey! Is it too late to get my name above the title?
Excellent and clear reflection on Miller’s compelling portrait of Marty.
Readers, please take note. Mr. Dubin, my compatriot for more than half century, was the vocal tunnel digger.
Wow bravo Bret! Loved "Rough Ride!"!! Great soundtrack (of course), and awesome cinematography and direction, and I loved that you didn't show the driver's face--unless he was one of the guys in the beginning? I guess the obvious question is do you think Marty was influenced by your film when he was making "Taxi Driver"? I'm one of many huge fans of his works. "King of Comedy" is one of my favorites, though there are quite a few. Didn't know it was a commercial failure. I thought it was a masterpiece.
I was a cab driver in my early 30s for a few years in the mid-80s. A white girl in an all-Black company based in Palmer Park, MD, I started out as a driver with no sense of direction and became the hacker from hell on wheels. Of course as a female I only drove during the day. Sundays were a huge score as all the other drivers were watching football and I doubled and tripled pickups going to the airports. I definitely have stories.
Thanks for sharing. I look forward to watching the Apple TV documentary. And thanks for the "drive" down memory lane!
I also thought King of Comedy was pure genius!
Without a doubt, you studied with Marty. Your film has echoes of his style of cinematography and makes the viewer believe they are experiencing cinema verite. And, where the music appeared was just perfect! If I can get a free trial of Apple TV I will definitely watch Ms. Miller's documentary. Thank you so much for sharing your work and passion with us!
Loved your film, Bret. It reminded me of a real, nitty gritty night in NYC. Dug the conversation about women cab drivers since I drove a cab after my husband suddenly died when I was in grad school. Of course, I was driving in Philly and Camden County, NJ, easier route than the Big Apple. I don't have Apple Plus, so I'll catch the documentary when it floats around to other networks.
You were so lucky to have Scorsese as a teacher. What a director! But then there's Thelma Schoonmaker, his long-time editor. Did you know her?
Lastly, I LOVED KIng of Comedy!!! One of my favorite, favorite films. Jerry!!! Hey Jerry!!!
No, never met Thelma, but love her work! And yes, what a stroke of luck to have Marty as a teacher!
The finale was great fun, stimulating, reminiscent(quite a few cab rides in NYC).
Interesting perspective on “Marty”.
Interesting perspective on you. Gives me another view to what I often have in my head when engaging with your work, “damn this guys fucking good”.
Thanks for the experience.
But wait! Bret? Did Marty get to see your film? If so (and it’s hard to believe that he didn’t), what were any of his thoughts and comments??
Amazing insights you offered here! Thank you….
I was Lindsay Anderson’s assistant (the British term for this is assistant director) for a time in the 80s, for a stage play he was directing in New York. He once told me that he’d had an exchange of letters with Marty. Lindsay told me he'd written a single page letter, and Marty wrote back pages, and that the typewriter’s keys had been hit so hard, each letter, that they often poked holes through the paper.
Marty liked the film. Len, that was fifty five years ago, I can't remember exactly what he said.
I liked your film alot. Lordy what a mess driving a cab must be in NYC.
it wasn't an easy job. At the time I was driving, back in the 70s, there was a lot of crime in the city. I was held up three times while driving.
Love your “peace of mind” taxi customers!
Reframing technique as autobiography: interesting. Interesting, too, your description of Scorsese's relationships ending in combustion. Was this during his cocaine years?
“…reminds us that great art emerges from lived experience…and that creative vitality can persist.” Bravo. I knew virtually nothing about Scorsese, but your understanding of film and your fine writing drew me right in.
Except for some sound issues, with which my aging hearing were hard to synchronize, that little film of yours sure hits home as I drove a cab, too, to support my acting habit. Great characters!
By any chance, did you ever run across Victor Arnold or Victor Argo?
Bret, I love the article but even more I love your film. It's hysterical, and very human. What role did Richard Dubin play? Was he one of the crazy tunnel guys, they are great. Your film reminds me of a brilliant one I saw on a plane last year. Only 2 characters, Sean Penn plays the taxi driver... My bad, don't remember the title.
Yes, Dubin was the vocal tunnel digger. There was actually a better first take that had technical issues where they rub their heads together at the end.
I thought the take was perfect🥰