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 | |
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Jimmy Papiris | ... | Iggy |
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Nick Gaetani | ... | Referee #1 |
Alexander Chaplin | ... | Bobo (as Alexander Gaberman) | |
Ben Jorgensen | ... | Tommy | |
Josh Mostel | ... | Counterman | |
Juliette Lewis | ... | Diane Moody |
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>
This is a very good depressing movie. But, you can't make a good anti-drug movie without making it depressing. DiCaprio is brilliant. Arnie from What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Richard from The Beach, and Jim Carroll from the Basketball Diaries are about Leo's deepest characters. He is an excellent actor. The scenes that get you the most are the withdrawal scenes, and everytime he confronts his mother in the movie. This movie deserves a 10