Basketball Diaries (1995)

The Basketball Diaries is a 1995 drama film, directed by Scott Kalvert, starring Leonardo Di Caprio, Mark Wahlberg, Lorraine Bracco & James Madio. It is based on the autobiographical book of the same name by Jim Caroll.

Plot : Film adaptation of street tough Jim Caroll'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.


Ok so i had my doubts about this film judging from the title of the movie & the fact that Leonardo Di Caprio was in it ( I dont hate him, i do enjoy his later films). Well anyway after keeping this movie in my folder for a mth i took a chance & decided to give it a shot, especially after realising its based on a true story. Well what can i say ? I loved it enough to watch it twice. People from my generation and before would definetly enjoy how the film takes you back in time in your life where there were no internet & all these new technology we have these days for kids. All we had those days on our hands were loads of fun created by creativity boredom.

This film really brought back memories of the good old days ( Ofcourse there are pros & cons, but trust me.....nothing beats good old fashion fooling around). As much as i appreciate the creation of the World Wide Web, it also did kill the good old fashion human connections we use to have then. The simpler things in life that made us happy. Instead of sitting at our computer half our teenage / adult lifes , we spent them living. Which many of these generations are not given a chance to do so. Well i might seem like im blabbering to some of you but for those who do understand those days & come from my generation & before will get my drift.

That aside, the movie was deep, intense & artistic. All the actors did an excellent role portraying their characters. Leonardo played his junky role really well & from this film i have come to understand why he has grown to have become such a great actor. Some talent are just inborn. Plus i Loveeeeee Lorraine Bracco (mmm yummy)! It also shows the battle Jim Caroll went through in his life to get where he is now. So do give it a shot, It is worth your time!

Memorable Quote :

Jim: Know this: there's different types of users of junk. You got your rich, dilettante square ass who dabbles now and then, but always has enough money to run off to the Riviera if he feels he's fuckin' around to the danger point. Street junkies hate these pricks. But they're always suckers and their money makes 'em tolerable. Then you got your upper-middle class Westchester preppies. Same as the others basically, but what they're good for is opening their mommy and daddy's eyes to the social virus, and puttin' pressure on the government to do somethin' about it. Then there's us street kids. Start fuckin' around very young...13 or so. Think we all got it under control...won't get strung out. This rarely works. I'm living proof. But in the end, you've just gotta see the junk as another 9-5 gig, the hours are just a bit more inclined to shadows.

Director :
Scott Kalvert

Actors :
Leonardo Di Caprio - Jim Caroll
Mark Walhberg - Pedro
James Madio - Laura Porter
Lorraine Bracco - Mrs. Caroll


RATE : 8.5\10