Taxi movie storyline. Daniel (Samy Naceri) is the fastest delivery man for the local pizza parlor “Pizza Joe” in Marseille, France. On the last day of work, he sets a new speed record, then leaves the job to pursue a new career as a taxi driver with the blessings of his boss and co-workers. Daniel’s vehicle is a white 1997 Peugeot 406.
The car is equipped with various racing modifications (such as racing tires, a splitter and spoiler) that are concealed until he wants to travel quickly. Daniel is just as skilled with a car as he is with a motorcycle, and has a complete disregard for speed limits. His girlfriend Lilly (Marion Cotillard) is supportive of his job change, although she is unhappy that he now spends less and less time with her.
Daniel’s first customer, an elderly woman named Camille, has a son named Émilien (Frédéric Diefenthal), a young police detective. Émilien is clumsy and has just failed his 8th driver’s test. At work, no-one takes him seriously, including police Sergeant Petra (Emma Sjöberg), on whom he harbors an unrequited crush. Commissioner Gibert (Bernard Farcy) briefs the team on a new case. A German gang of robbers who successfully committed a series of high-profile robberies in Belgium, Netherlands and Germany is now in France.
The gang is known for their highly methodical and effective strategy, skilled driving and their usage of red Mercedes-Benz 500E cars as escape vehicles. Anticipating the robbers’ move, Gibert places police officers and militia in civilian cars outside the targeted bank. After the robbers entered the bank, Émilien, who takes part in the stakeout, accidentally causes a huge traffic accident. Due to the confusion, another convoy of cars (the French Minister’s escort) start firing at the officers, and the robbers escape.
The next day, Émilien takes a taxi to work, and gets in Daniel’s car. Not knowing his fare’s occupation, Daniel reveals his racing modifications and breaks traffic laws several times. Émilien eventually reveals his badge, apprehends Daniel and confiscates his taxi license. At the station, after interrogating Daniel, Émilien asks for help with the German gang in exchange for keeping his license. Looking at photos of the getaway cars, Daniel concludes that the tires come from a garage owned by Kruger (Gregory Knop). Daniel reluctantly abandons a date with Lilly and joins Émilien at a stakeout of the garage. The next morning, Émilien tries to interrogate Kruger, who opens fire at the duo and escapes.
Taxi is a 1998 French action-comedy film starring Samy Naceri, Frédéric Diefenthal and Marion Cotillard, written by Luc Besson and directed by Gérard Pirès. It has three sequels, Taxi 2, Taxi 3, Taxi 4 and one remake, Taxi. It also provided the premise for the US TV show, Taxi Brooklyn in 2014.
Taxi (1998)
Directed by: Gérard Pirès
Starring: Samy Naceri, Frédéric Diefenthal, Marion Cotillard, Emma Sjoberg, Bernard Farcy, Manuela Gourary, Georges Neri, Sabine Bail, Sébastien Thiery, Dan Herzberg
Screenplay by: Luc Besson
Production Design by: Jean-Jacques Gernolle
Cinematography by: Jean-Pierre Sauvaire
Film Editing by: Véronique Lange
Costume Design by: Chattoune
Set Decoration by: Catherine Werner Schmit
Art Direction by: Franck Schwarz
Music by: Akhenaton
Distributed by: Lionsgate Films
Release Date: April 8, 1998
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