IMDb > The Basketball Diaries (1995)
The Basketball Diaries
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Basketball Diaries (1995) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 28 | slideshow) Videos (see all 4)
The Basketball Diaries (1995) -- Open-ended Trailer from New Line
The Basketball Diaries (1995) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   23,050 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 11% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Jim Carroll (novel)
Bryan Goluboff (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Basketball Diaries on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
21 April 1995 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The true story of the death of innocence and the birth of an artist more
Plot:
Film adaptation of street tough Jim Carroll's epistle about his kaleidoscopic free fall into the harrowing world of drug addiction... more | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
User Comments:
Not just another kid/drug movie more (129 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Leonardo DiCaprio ... Jim Carroll

Lorraine Bracco ... Jim's Mother
Marilyn Sokol ... Chanting Woman

James Madio ... Pedro
Patrick McGaw ... Neutron

Mark Wahlberg ... Mickey
Roy Cooper ... Father McNulty

Vincent Pastore ... Construction Worker (as Vinnie Pastore)

Bruno Kirby ... Swifty
Jimmy Papiris ... Iggy
Nick Gaetani ... Referee #1

Alexander Chaplin ... Bobo (as Alexander Gaberman)
Ben Jorgensen ... Tommy
Josh Mostel ... Counterman

Juliette Lewis ... Diane Moody
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Streets of New York (International: English title) (video title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for graphic depiction of drug addiction with related strong violence,sexuality and language.
Runtime:
102 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:MA (cable rating) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia) | Portugal:M/16 | Finland:K-15 (video rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Canada:14A (DVD rating) | Australia:R | Germany:12 (bw) | Norway:15 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:(Banned) (original rating) | South Korea:18 (re-rating) (cut) | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R (NO. 33624) | Iceland:16

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Stephen Lang was offered the role of Jim's Basketball Coach named Swifty in the script. Lang declined citing the misrepresentation of the book in the script. The part was subsequently toned down as a result. more
Goofs:
Continuity: After the boys jump into the river, there is a gash on the right side of Jim's forehead, after he takes the drugs out of the medicine cabinet; it is on the left side. more
Quotes:
Jim Carroll: I just wanna be pure, I just wanna be pure. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Butterfly Effect (2004) more
Soundtrack:
Coming Right Along more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
32 out of 46 people found the following comment useful.
Not just another kid/drug movie, 10 February 1999
10/10
Author: Boyo-2

This movie was Leonardo's first leading role, and he does great work as Jim Carroll. The movie cheats him from time to time, but he gives a consistent and believable performance. He is helped by an excellent supporting cast, especially Mark Wahlberg and Lorraine Bracco. Kids who think drugs are fun and games should see this movie, which gets extra credit for not glamorizing drugs.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (129 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Basketball Diaries (1995)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Would people pay to 'give' someone a blowjob? Mcice88
Wonder wot happened to Pedro meakins8
First watched this at 14 years old, however don't approve LizPhoenixNikita
Ivory Snow baby? nina_beretta
Christiane F vs The Basketball Diaries user-19886
my humble opinion crazynocrazy
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Freeway Wonderland Requiem for a Dream Another Day in Paradise Piñero
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Biography section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.