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The Basketball Diaries (1995) 7.1
Ratings:
7.1/10 from 52,035 users
Metascore: 46/100
Reviews: 142 user | 34 critic | 19 from Metacritic.com Film adaptation of street tough Jim Carroll's epistle about his kaleidoscopic free fall into the harrowing world of drug addiction. As a member of a seemingly unbeatable high school ... See full summary » Director:Scott Kalvert |
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Title: The Basketball Diaries (1995)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Leonardo DiCaprio | ... | ||
| Lorraine Bracco | ... | ||
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Marilyn Sokol | ... | |
| James Madio | ... | ||
| Patrick McGaw | ... | ||
| Mark Wahlberg | ... | ||
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Roy Cooper | ... | |
| Vincent Pastore | ... |
Construction Worker
(as Vinnie Pastore)
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| Bruno Kirby | ... | ||
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Jimmy Papiris | ... | |
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Nick Gaetani | ... | |
| Alexander Chaplin | ... |
Bobo
(as Alexander Gaberman)
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Ben Jorgensen | ... | |
| Josh Mostel | ... | ||
| Juliette Lewis | ... | ||
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Film adaptation of street tough Jim Carroll's epistle about his kaleidoscopic free fall into the harrowing world of drug addiction. As a member of a seemingly unbeatable high school basketball squad, Jim's life centers around the basketball court and the court becomes a metaphor for the world in his mind. A best friend who is dying of leukemia, a coach ("Swifty") who takes unacceptable liberties with the boys on his team, teenage sexual angst, and an unhealthy appetite for heroin -- all of these begin to encroach on young Jim's dream of becoming a basketball star. Soon, the dark streets of New York become a refuge from his mother's mounting concern for her son. He can't go home and his only escape from the reality of the streets is heroin for which he steals, robs and prostitutes himself. Only with the help of Reggie, an older neighborhood friend with whom Jim "picked up a game" now and then, is he able to begin the long journey back to sanity. Written by Mark Fleetwood <mfleetwo@mail.coin.missouri.edu>
Taglines:
The true story of the death of innocence and the birth of an artist See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for graphic depiction of drug addiction with related strong violence,sexuality and language | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
21 April 1995 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Basketball Diaries See more »Filming Locations:
Forest Hills High School, Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, New York, USA See more »Box Office
Gross:
$2,424,439 (USA)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Written by Jim Carroll
Performed by Jim Carroll with Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam appears courtesy of Epic Records
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
After being nominated for an Oscar for Running on Empty, MTV asked River Phoenix what he wanted to do next. He responded by pulling out a beat up paperback of "The Basketball Diaries" and stated "I wanted to play Jim Carroll." Later, the Los Angeles Times declared, "River Phoenix may have wanted it too much." Leonardo DiCaprio was a fan of Phoenix's. See more »Goofs
The NBA ball signed by the players would not have been around at that time. Spalding didn't start manufacturing the NBA ball until 1982 or 1983. See more »Quotes
Father McNulty: [wakes Jim up from his dream by slamming his cane against his desk] Wake up, Mr. Carroll, it's later than you think!See more »
Soundtracks
"Catholic Boy"Written by Jim Carroll
Performed by Jim Carroll with Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam appears courtesy of Epic Records
See more »
I think 'The basketball diaries' is a realistic and very important movie. It shows the road that one walks to being addicted to drugs. From taking dope once a week to taking dope every day, every hour. Leonardo DiCaprio playes a basketballplayer, a schoolkid(Jim Carrol) who walks this path. He experiments with drugs 'till there is no way back. He gets himself in all kinds of stupid situations. He starts robbing stores, ripping off money from old ladies just to get some cash for dope. His life is beginning to look like a living hell. His basketballcoach wants to have sex with him, and when he passes out on the basketballfield due to taking a wrong kind of 'pep-pil', he gets kicked out of the basketball team and from school. From this moment on everything goes in a downward spiral for DiCaprio.
An excellent scenario you would say, and it is. The acting from DiCaprio is great. We saw it earlier on in his career when he got oscar-nominated for 'What's eating gilbert grape'. A gripping drama in which he playes a disabled kid. But in 'The basketball diaries' he playes an equally difficult part. Not a lot actors would have put down this kid who's life is wrecked, and who is constantly thinking about dope as well as DiCaprio did.
The statement the movie delivers is a powerfull one. Being addicted to drugs is horrible. Usually people learn about this aspect trough seminars or televisonshows such as Oprah Winfrey. But it never really gets the kind of attention and understanding from the audience as 'The Basketball diaries' delivers.
The amazing performance by DiCaprio, the fact that this movie is actually based on a true story and the reality the movie is set in, 'The basketball diaries' deserves a 9 out of 10.