Watch A Taxi Driver

A Taxi Driver is a 2017 drama movie that stars Song Kang-ho as Kim Man-seob, a taxi driver who unwittingly becomes embroiled in the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. The film is directed by Jang Hoon and written by Eom Yoo-na. The story takes place in South Korea in May 1980, during the height of the country's authoritarian rule. Kim Man-seob is a widowed taxi driver who struggles to make ends meet, driving his aging car around the city and picking up whatever fares he can find. One day, he is approached by a German journalist named Peter (played by Thomas Kretschmann), who offers him a large sum of money to drive him to the city of Gwangju, where he hopes to uncover a story about government oppression.

Initially reluctant, Man-seob agrees to the offer when he learns of the large amount of money offered. Upon arrival in Gwangju, however, he discovers that the city is in the midst of a student-led uprising against the military government. Despite his efforts to leave the city and return to Seoul, Man-seob is prevented from doing so by the military, who have cordoned off the city and are shooting anyone who tries to leave.

As the days go on, Man-seob and Peter witness firsthand the brutality of the government's crackdown on the protesters, with the military killing hundreds of civilians in the streets. They also meet a local student activist named Jae-sik (played by Hae-Jin Yoo), who becomes their guide to the events unfolding around them.

Throughout their time in Gwangju, Man-seob is forced to confront his own complicity in the government's actions, as he had initially been lured to the city by the promise of money. As the situation worsens and the military closes in, Man-seob must make a choice between running for his own safety or staying to help the protesters and protect his passengers.

A Taxi Driver is a powerful and emotionally charged film that effectively captures the intensity and horror of the Gwangju Uprising. The film's performances are strong, particularly from Song Kang-ho, whose portrayal of Kim Man-seob is believable and sympathetic. Thomas Kretschmann also delivers a strong performance as the jaded journalist who slowly becomes invested in the events unfolding around him.

The film's direction is solid, with Jang Hoon expertly balancing the intense drama with moments of levity and humor. The cinematography is also notable, with the camera often lingering on the faces of the protesters and soldiers, capturing the emotion and pain of the situation.

Overall, A Taxi Driver is a must-see film for anyone interested in Korean history or political drama. It is a gripping and emotional story that expertly captures the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought for democracy in a time of intense oppression.

A Taxi Driver is a 2017 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9 and a MetaScore of 69.