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The Basketball Diaries (1995) 7.1
Ratings:
7.1/10 from 52,062 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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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:
View content advisory »
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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
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Written by Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, 'John Densmore', Robby Krieger (as Robbie Krieger)
Performed by The Doors
Courtesy of Elektra Entertainment
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Many links to The Sopranos - Lorraine Bracco (Dr Melfi) plays Jim's mom. Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti) plays the friend who dies of Leukemia. Vincent Pastore (Big Pussy) is the guy that gets vomited on whilst on the ferry. See more »Goofs
In the "dream" scene, when Jim is shooting his classmates, the one who gets shot in the back has a visible string attached to him which pulls him to the blackboard. When Jim has a vision on the basketball court and gets blown by explosion, the string is visible again. They were dream sequences, but it seems unlikely that he would dream of strings. See more »Quotes
Jim: All I've been doing is reading this diary wondering how the hell I'm still alive?See more »
Connections
Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Inception/Predators/The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010) See more »Soundtracks
"Riders On The Storm"Written by Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, 'John Densmore', Robby Krieger (as Robbie Krieger)
Performed by The Doors
Courtesy of Elektra Entertainment
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products
See more »
There is a type of disease associated with St. Vitus and this film qualifies in the comparison because it's quirky, fast, and it never stops moving. Director Scott Kalvert gives the movie a 'look' that makes the Manhattan of the period when it supposedly takes place, believable.
Leonardo DiCaprio was at his best in the film. His performance is very nuanced and in your face, at the same time. Mr. DiCaprio makes you feel the pain Jim is going through; he is a lost soul. Not being a fan of Mark Wahlberg, I must confess that in this film, be it because of the direction, or whatever, he shines, as Mickey.
As Jim's mother, Lorraine Bracco has never been better in anything she has been in recent memory. Bruno Kirby is perfectly creepy as the coach of St. Vitus High School.
As far as the connection with the Columbine School massacre, since the sequence where Jim is involved is a dream, it's easy to understand how the twisted minds of the ones responsible for the killings would have taken this scene as a model for their terrible crime.