Idocamstuf Review of The Basketball Diaries

The Basketball Diaries (1995)

One of DiCaprio's only good performance's, but the script stinks

[6/10 · 8 September 2003]

Besides "Gilbert Grape", and "This boys life", this is Leo DiCaprio's only good performance, unfortunatly its in this only moderately successful film. Based on a true story, DiCaprio plays a teenager whose life seems to be going just fine, until he gets into drugs, hes kicked off the basketball team, and goes nowhere but downhill from there. If it wasnt for the run of the mill script, this could have been a very powerful film, unfortunately, its doesnt reach its potential due to that. I mean its watchable, but dont expect to be blown away or anything. The supporting cast is superb though, Lorraine Braco(Goodfellas), Bruno Kirby(City Slikers), Mark Wahlberg(Boogie Nights), Ernie Hudson(Ghostbusters), and Juliette Lewis(Cape Fear, From Dusk Till Dawn) all give impressive performances. Im still going to give it a 6, because DiCaprio gave a great performance, and I liked the actors. Star rating:**1/2 out of ****