Taxi the movie
I picked up three DVD movies from my regular movie store today - Mrs Doubtfire, Kagemusha, and Taxi.
Reasons for getting these three titles? Robin Williams, Akira Kurosawa, and Queen Latifah.
I’ve seen Mrs Doubtfire before (who hasn’t?), and thought it was time I added it to my small but growing DVD collection. I’ve never seen Kagemusha, but have seen both Seven Samurai and Ran, and suitably impressed by both to buy this one.
As for Taxi, I didn’t even know there was such a movie. The only Taxi I know is the TV sitcom that aired for five seasons (1978 - 1983) and featured the likes of Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd and Carol Kane who went on to post Taxi fame of their own.
Anyways, one name and face jumped out at me from the DVD cover …
Guess whose?
Yup, based on the name of one actor, I bought the movie. And have no regrets getting it. She did not disappoint.
Queen Latifah.
The movie is fast moving and fun. What do you expect of a movie about a taxi driver in New York City? Not just any taxi driver, but a woman taxi driver, ex messenger (despatch rider) who rode a mean bicycle throughout the city, right through a stationary subway train, exiting just moments before the door closed behind her. And driving her cab the same way she used to ride her bicycle.
All the best scenes went to her. In fact, all the best scenes, including the car chase scenes, went to the women in the movie. And that’s what I like best about Taxi - it’s a women’s film. A positive women’s film. Empowering. 
Queen Latifah’s adversary in the movie is the leggy Gisele Bundchen. In one scene, the lieutenant, played by Jennifer Esposito (yes - female) offers herself in exchange for the hostage, and is accepted. Gisele’s character proceeds to frisk her, an act which prompts one of the male officers on the scene to say “I’d like to offer myself …”
Unlike the female characters, the guys don’t come out looking too good in this movie. Leading the pack is Jimmy Fallon, the Queen’s sidekick in the movie. Popular with many Saturday Night Live fans (he joined the cast in September 1998), Jimmy unfortunately comes across as too hyper in the movie. It was exhausting to watch him. Fortunately, he redeems himself towards the end of the movie.
A real bonus in the movie is the presence of Ann-Margret as Jimmy’s mother. She’s a real hoot in the movie (I’m laughing out loud right now as I remember her scenes in the movie).
There are quite a few references to real car brands, with reverence shown for the Beemer, and the opposite for a certain Korean brand (no, not the one beginning with the letter “H” ).
I’m glad I bought the movie. I really enjoyed it. And like Mrs Doubtfire, good enough for repeat viewings and laughs.
Official Taxi site
Official Queen Latifah site
