This is the eighth instalment of Fare Game, a new novel. Earlier instalments are available by clicking links in the Archives or Categories boxes to the right of the page.

Last time we learnt of Minnie’s frustrations with Driver’s lack of commitment and we’re left wondering whether or not Driver was the father of the baby in her belly and whether or not she wanted to stay with Driver. So, faced with such turmoil, Driver talks movies

Driver told me in no uncertain terms that I had to include his top five taxi movies, whatever they were at the time. Because, more than the colour of his eyes, or the tone and tempo of his voice, or even the degree that he received at university, these movies and their importance to him, spoke of him. That on the day he nominated these movies, this is how Driver saw himself. They aren’t meant to be in order of preference. That would be too hard for Driver to commit to for more than a day or two at the best of times, let alone across the ten days chronicled here. Even inclusion in the top five is fairly fluid but, as it stood when he told me, these were his top five taxi movies, listed by order of date of first release:

• Alfie, 1966
• Taxi Driver, 1976
• Taxi, 1978
• Night on Earth, 1991
• Collateral, 2004 Continue reading →