IMDb > The Basketball Diaries (1995)
The Basketball Diaries
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The Basketball Diaries (1995) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

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Director:
Scott Kalvert
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) See more »
Genre:
Biography | Crime | Drama | Sport See more »
Tagline:
The true story of the death of innocence and the birth of an artist See more »
Plot:
Film adaptation of street tough Jim Carroll's epistle about his kaleidoscopic free fall into the harrowing world of drug addiction... See more » | Add synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
See more »
NewsDesk:
(70 articles)
Leonardo DiCaprio: five best moments
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 17 May 2013, 4:48 AM, PDT)
Leonardo DiCaprio: 'The Great Gatsby' star's 5 best movie roles
 (From Digital Spy - Movie News. 17 May 2013, 1:00 AM, PDT)
18 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Leonardo DiCaprio
 (From Moviefone. 10 May 2013, 11:57 AM, PDT)
User Reviews:
A Powerful Indictment Against Drug Addiction... See more (142 total) »

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

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

Michael Imperioli ... Bobby
Akiko Ashley ... Stripper

Ernie Hudson ... Reggie

Manny Alfaro ... Manny

Cynthia Daniel ... Winkie

Brittany Daniel ... Blinkie
Eric Betts ... Drug Dealer #1
Joyce R. Korbin ... Mugging Victim
Barton Heyman ... Confessional Priest
Lawrence Barth ... Referee #2
Gary Iorio ... Policeman

Toby Huss ... Kenny
Jim Carroll ... Frankie Pinewater (as James Dennis Carroll)
William Webb ... JuJu Johnson

John C. Vennema ... Mr. Rubin (as John Vennema)

Michael Rapaport ... Skinhead
Doc Dougherty ... Policeman
John Hoyt ... Billy the Bartender

Manny Siverio ... Pino
rest of cast listed alphabetically:

Alex Ballar ... Basketball Player (uncredited)

Brian Ferrari ... St. Vitus Student (uncredited)

Tom Fitzpatrick ... The 'John' in the Subway (uncredited)
Mary Ann Hannon ... Head Nurse (uncredited)
Gus Scharr ... Priest (uncredited)

Directed by
Scott Kalvert 
 
Writing credits
(WGA)
Jim Carroll (novel)

Bryan Goluboff (screenplay)

Produced by
Chris Blackwell .... executive producer
Dan Genetti .... executive producer
Liz Heller .... producer
Kathie Hersch .... line producer
John Bard Manulis .... producer
 
Original Music by
Graeme Revell 
 
Cinematography by
David Phillips (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
Dana Congdon 
 
Casting by
Avy Kaufman 
 
Production Design by
Christopher Nowak 
 
Set Decoration by
Harriet Zucker 
 
Costume Design by
David C. Robinson 
 
Makeup Department
Verne Caruso .... hair stylist
Diane Hammond .... makeup artist
Sharyn Pierson .... additional makeup artist (as Sharyn Cordice Pierson)
Gina G. Riggi .... makeup artist (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Diana Schmidt .... unit production manager (as Diana D. Schmidt)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Robert C. Albertell .... second assistant director
David C. Dean .... first assistant director
 
Art Department
Jacqueline Arnot .... set dresser
James R. Bilz .... prop master
Nancy G. Blake .... assistant prop master
Beth Coiner .... art department intern
David Cooney .... storyboard artist
Glen Engels .... construction grip (as Glen K. Engels)
Ralph Fratianni .... construction grip
Andrew Gangloff .... shop craftsman (as Andrew George Gangloff)
George Hugel .... carpenter (as George A. Hugel)
Jerry Kadar .... set dresser
Ivan McDonald .... art department coordinator
Fred Merusi .... construction coordinator
Timothy Metzger .... leadman (as Timothy M. Metzger)
Don Nace .... scenic (as Don R. Nace)
Arne Olsen .... key construction grip
Harriet Zucker .... artwork
Jeffrey Rollins .... set dresser (uncredited)
 
Sound Department
Beau Biggart .... adr mixer
Tammy Blake .... sound assistant
Paul B. Clay .... supervising sound editor (as Paul Clay)
Patricia Conaway Lamberti .... sound assistant (as Patricia Conaway)
Larry Hoki .... sound recordist
David J. Hudson .... sound re-recording mixer
Victor Iorillo .... co-supervising sound editor
Victor Iorillo .... sound designer
Jerry Jacobson .... dialogue editor
Susan Kurtz .... sound effects editor
George Leong .... boom operator
Bill Mellow .... foley mixer
Ken Miller .... dialogue editor
Patrick O'Sullivan .... dialogue editor
Sina Oroomchi .... foley mixer
Jeffrey Perkins .... supervising sound re-recording mixer
Cindy Rabideau .... dialogue editor
William Sarokin .... sound mixer
Joe Schwartz .... sound assistant
Shane Shemko .... foley walker
Pat Somerset .... adr editor
Lauren Stephens .... dialogue editor
Daniel Tripoli .... sound effects editor (as Dan Tripoli)
Cam Wagner .... foley walker
 
Special Effects by
J.C. Brotherhood .... rain effects
Wilfred Caban .... special effects assistant
Steven Kirshoff .... special effects coordinator (as Steve Kirshoff)
 
Visual Effects by
Charles L. Finance .... opticals: Title House (as Chuck Finance)
 
Stunts
Jay Carrado .... stunt player (as Jay Lee Carrado)
Bob Colletti .... stunt player
Danny Cosmo .... stunt player (as Danny 'Cosmo' Higgenbottom)
Donald John Hewitt .... stunt player
Todd Michael .... stunt player
Edgard Mourino .... stunt coordinator
Jon Rothstein .... stunt player
David Shumbris .... stunt player
Danny Cosmo .... stunt double: Leonardo DiCaprio (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
K.C. Bailey .... unit still photographer
Michael Berg .... gaffer
Mike Bicknell .... best boy electric (as Michael Bicknell)
Robert Blair .... additional electric (as Bob Blair)
James Boniece .... additional grip (as Jim Boniece)
Maria Calvaruso .... camera trainee
John Clifford .... unit still photographer
Patrick Cousins .... electric (as Pat Cousins)
Mark Egyud .... generator operator
Neil Fallon .... video playback operator (as M. Neil Fallon)
Scott Fleischer .... lighting and grip equipment: General Camera
Charles Goodman .... additional grip (as Charlie Goodman)
Jonathan Graham .... additional grip
Hardwick Johnson .... camera equipment: Panavision, Camera Service Center
William Klayer .... gaffer
Charlie Marroquin .... dolly grip (as Charles Marroquin)
Rick Marroquin .... third grip
Gary Martone .... key grip
Jim McConkey .... Steadicam operator
Jim McConkey .... camera operator
Monique Mitchell .... best boy grip
Phil Oetiker .... additional camera operator
Mike Reed .... best boy electric (as Michael Reed)
Jim Richards .... electric
Vince J. Vennitti .... second assistant camera
Howard Weiner .... video playback operator
Alan Wolfe .... first assistant camera
Susan Gabbay .... assistant camera (uncredited)
Rick Lamb .... assistant camera (uncredited)
Brian Lataille .... steadicam operator (uncredited)
 
Casting Department
Byron Crystal .... extras casting
Diane Silverstadt .... casting assistant
 
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jill E. Anderson .... wardrobe supervisor
Joan Kaufman .... assistant to costume designer: David C. Robinson
Dalhia Schuette .... wardrobe production assistant
Wendy Van Dyke .... wardrobe supervisor
 
Editorial Department
Brian Berdan .... additional editor
Bob Kaiser .... color timer
Jon Miles .... post-production: studio, T.H.E. Tools
Jim Schulte .... second assistant editor
Boyd Steer .... negative cutter
Tim Sternberg .... assistant editor
Michael Trull .... post-production assistant
 
Music Department
Kristen Becht .... assistant to music supervisor
Billy Gottlieb .... music coordinator
Salvadore Poe .... featured performer: guitars (as Paul DiBartolo)
Karyn Rachtman .... music supervisor
Dan Wallin .... scoring mixer
Joshua Winget .... music editor (as Joshua Wingett)
Frankii Elliott .... assistant: Karyn Rachtman (uncredited)
Brian Williams .... music designer (uncredited)
 
Transportation Department
Bobby Alberga .... driver (as Robert Alberga)
William Baker .... transportation co-captain
Joseph Irwin .... driver
Robert Johnson .... driver (as Robert L. Johnson)
Brian Maxwell .... transportation captain (as Brian P. Maxwell)
George Nadramia Jr. .... driver
Joseph Paprota .... driver (as Joseph Paprotta)
Donald Sweeney .... driver
Thomas J. Walsh .... driver (as Thomas Walsh)
 
Other crew
Selena Adams .... set intern
Trish Adlesic .... assistant location manager
Chad Auchincloss .... set intern
Greg Brandt .... caterer: Greg's Gourmet
Kristen Buckley .... set production assistant
Rosemary Carroll .... legal services: Codikow & Carroll (as Rosemary Carroll Esq.)
Mitchell Cassel .... contact lenses (as Dr. Mitchell Cassell)
Camille Cerullo .... assistant auditor
Camille Cerullo .... post-production auditor
Sam Chwat .... dialogue coach
David Codikow .... legal services: Codikow & Carroll (as David Codikow Esq.)
Eddy Collyns .... location manager
Brandon Colton .... craft service assistant
Jenny Cottle .... production coordinator: Los Angeles
Deborah Cowan .... craft service assistant
Delroy Dally .... parking assistant
Shirley Davis .... assistant coordinator
Sam Dickerman .... assistant to producers: Los Angeles
Eric 'Rock' Eisenberg .... basketball technical advisor
Stacy Fass .... legal services: Codikow & Carroll (as Stacy Fass Esq.)
Kerin Ferallo .... assistant to producers: New York
David 'Flip' Filippi .... key production assistant
Charles L. Finance .... titles: Title House (as Chuck Finance)
Leigh French .... adr group coordinator
Michele Giordano .... production coordinator
Kennen E. Gudjonsson .... set intern
Cassandra Han .... technical assistant
Allison R. Hebble .... office intern (as Allison Hebble)
Jude Aubrey Hindle .... craft service
Lys Hopper .... prep location manager
James A. Janowitz .... legal services: Pryor, Cashman, Sherman & Flynn (as James A. Janowitz Esq.)
Jon M. Johnson .... parking coordinator (as Jon M. 'Hoops' Johnson)
Roger Kass .... legal services: Pryor, Cashman, Sherman & Flynn (as Roger E. Kass Esq.)
Lisa Katcher .... script supervisor
Beth Katz .... set intern
Susan Labunski .... location assistant
Thomas Andrew Marzulli .... office production assistant
Jim W. McFarland .... additional production assistant
Mike Mirkin .... safety diver: Divers Unlimited (as Michael Mirkin)
Karim Murad .... assistant parking coordinator
John Murphy .... unit publicist
Carlos Oliver .... assistant: Mark Wahlberg
Terry Ostrow .... set production assistant (as Terri Ostrow)
Matthew D. Panepinto .... additional production assistant (as Matthew Panepinto)
Tom Penketh .... office intern
Erin Quinn .... production auditor (as Erin C. Quinn)
Andrea Rapke .... set production assistant
Terry 't-bone' Rhodes .... location scout (as Terry 'T-Bone' Rhodes)
Edwin Rivera .... parking assistant
Karen Robson .... legal services: Pryor, Cashman, Sherman & Flynn (as Karen Robson Esq.)
Marcia Rutledge .... insurance: RHH Ruben
Andrew Saxe .... assistant location manager
Lori Seidner .... additional production assistant (as Lori C. Seidner)
Betsy Shankin-Morehouse .... additional production assistant (as Betsy Shankin)
Heidi Topper .... location scout
Juliet Traum .... office intern
Cass Vanini .... additional production assistant
Peter Villega .... parking assistant
Junior Webb .... assistant to director
Eric Weinstein .... technical advisor: research (as Eric L. 'E-Factor' Weinstein)
Elizabeth Westrate .... second assistant coordinator
Lisa Goldman .... production assistant (uncredited)
Matthew Huffman .... production assistant (uncredited)
 
Thanks
Mark Burg .... special thanks
Joanne Burnham .... special thanks
Marty Diamond .... special thanks
Naomi Donne .... special thanks
Phil Downey .... special thanks
Ann Dubinet .... special thanks
John Dyzcko .... special thanks
Leon Dyzcko .... special thanks
Anthony Falco .... special thanks: the Hoboken Police Department (as Lt. Anthony Falco)
Bruce Feinberg .... special thanks: Director, New York State Governor's Office For Motion Pictures And Television Development
Charles Gambetta .... special thanks (as Charlie Gambetta)
Gary Gersh .... special thanks
Marybeth Hagner .... special thanks (as Mary Beth Hagner)
Sonia Kalvert .... special thanks
Nancy Lund .... special thanks
Milton Maldonado .... special thanks: the Special Operations Division Unit Of The New York City Police Department (as Lt. Maldonado)
Bob Mastronardi .... special thanks
Ricardo Mazal .... special thanks
Lenny Messitte .... special thanks: Forest Hills High School
Larry Mestel .... special thanks
Alberto Montano .... special thanks
Peter Nichols .... special thanks
Tom O'Donnell Jr. .... special thanks
Alfred Pariser .... special thanks
John Penotti .... special thanks
Jane Raab .... special thanks
Lisa Rafel .... special thanks
Pat Scanlon .... special thanks (as Patricia Scanlon)
Craig Seti .... special thanks
Rea Ann Silva .... special thanks
Bryan Unger .... special thanks (as G. Bryan Unger)
Joe Violante .... special thanks (as Joey Violante)
Ben Whittaker .... special thanks
Melissa Zacker .... special thanks
 

Production CompaniesDistributorsSpecial EffectsOther Companies

Additional Details

Also Known As:
"Streets of New York" - International (English title) (video title)
See more »
MPAA:
Rated R for graphic depiction of drug addiction with related strong violence,sexuality and language
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
102 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Dolby Digital | DTS
Certification:
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 | 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)
Filming Locations:
Forest Hills High School, Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, New York, USASee more »
Company:
New Line CinemaSee 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:
Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Although this movie is based on an autobiography of a person growing up in the 1960s, it appears that there has been no effort to portray that era in the movie. This is evidenced by the fashions, music, cars and backdrops used, none of which are from that era. The following items would be anachronisms if the movie were in fact set in the 1960s:
  • 1) only modern-era vehicles seen in outdoor scenes;
  • 2) numerous skyscrapers that didn't exist in background shots, including the Twin Towers;
  • 3) modern medical equipment used to treat cancer;
  • 4) Jim and Bobby are on post porn-littered 42nd Street and reminiscing about the time when the area was filled with adult businesses ... NYC mayor Giuliani had the district cleaned-up in the 1990's;
  • 5) Bobby refers to one porn movie with the title, The Sperminator, an obvious take from the 1984 blockbuster, The Terminator;
  • 6) A marquee sign in the background reports "Two US helicopters down over Iraq" in reference to the Gulf War in the early 1990's;
  • 7) During the basketball game where Jim and Mickey are too high to play, there are championship banners dated 1976 and 1988.;
  • 8) When the cops enter the ice cream store they are wearing 1990s style police uniforms.
See more »
Quotes:
Reggie Porter:Hey white boy! Are you ready for your beatin'?
Jim Carroll:Don't let your mouth get you into something your ass can't handle.
See more »
Movie Connections:
Featured in "The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Inception/Predators/The Sorcerer's Apprentice (#2.25)" (2010)See more »
Soundtrack:
Strawberry WineSee more »

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User Reviews

   (Review this title)
23 out of 28 people found the following review useful.
A Powerful Indictment Against Drug Addiction..., 27 December 2005
Author: ijonesiii from United States

An uncompromising script and a solid performance from Leonardo Di Caprio help make THE BASKETBALL DIARIES a powerful and memorable film experience. Leo plays Jim Carroll, a high school student with a love of basketball and a flare for writing whose life goes right down the toilet when he becomes a heroine addict. Yes, perhaps Leo gets hooked a little too quickly but everything that happens to him after he gets hooked is totally real. Along with CLEAN AND SOBER, this movie so clearly and honestly demonstrates where drug addiction can take you...how nothing else becomes important but how and where that next high is coming from. There is one harrowing scene after another here. We see Jim returning to his mother (Lorraine Bracco) after being kicked out of the house and we see Jim turn from begging child to threatening thug in a matter of seconds, a scene brilliantly performed by DiCaprio. We see Jim and his friends beat up an old lady for her purse and we even see Jim prostitute himself with a man in order to get money. It's a frightening and realistic spiral downward that Jim takes and he does make it back, but it is important to remember when watching this film that a lot don't. DiCaprio gets solid support from future star Mark Wahlberg, Bruno Kirby, Jr., Juliette Lewis, and Michael Imperioli. A harrowing film experience that will not be forgotten once the credits roll.

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