#167 Paul Schrader Ranked List
Never been a fan. Trying to describe his stamp I come up with his frequent attempts to remake Taxi Driver in a different context. (Hardcore, Light Sleeper and First Reformed are Ozu like in their similarity to Taxi Driver.)
As for
First Reformed, I remember various critics citing Bresson's
Diary of a Country Priest and Bergman's
Winter Light as influences, and sure, they are kinda obvious, but it wasn't until a recent rewatch of the Bergman film that I noticed *how* close
First Reformed follows it, beyond mere influence, like the Bresson. I don't remember
Taxi Driver well enough to draw parallels.