Feels like a Tarantino Pastiche of a Scorcese movie

Just re-watching this for the first time in 20 years or so.

I always had in my mind that it was a highly underated and kind of forgotten movie from my vague memories of it, but re-watching it now, it is not as good as o thought it was.

It is highly atmospheric, and gripping for the first 20 minutes or so, but then just keeps repeating itself it feels like.

It feels very much like a poor attempt at a somewhat comedic update of Taxi Driver with the sleepless estranged hero with mental issues delving into the darkness of the City. Some early scenes feel like they were taken from Taxi Driver.

But it also feels like a Pastiche of Scorcese with the soundtrack, camera shots, the religious stuff...and also the rather OTT voiceover.

Also feels kind of Tarantinoesque in parts (the drug dealer house scene, the whole I.B. Banging bit, etc)... I guess at the time Tarantino was probably at his height and Scorcese was taking that influence in.

I think the "romance" is the weakest part of the movie though. It feels really clunky.

It does have some funny moments, and some great camera shots, but it's definitely lacking as a piece.

It isn't bad, but is definitely lower tier Scorcese.