The Basketball Diaries (1995) User Reviews

Having lost a son to this disease, this movie is too realistic

[rocklyn80 · 8/10 · 4 April 2021]

Saw this movie when it first came out and thought it was quite good, although I didn't really relate that much too it.

Now I've tried to watch it 25 yrs later, and having to go through the experiences in this film with my own son, I could not sit through it.

It's sad that youths will not see this movie til it's too late. My son is gone over two years now and still effected by his loss everyday.

A Powerful Indictment Against Drug Addiction...

[ijonesiii · 8/10 · 27 December 2005]

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.

Another heroin-addict diary...

[rainking_es · 7/10 · 22 August 2004]

When you've watched plenty of movies based on some drug-addict life story you can't help compare them... I mean, the story is always the same: a guy begins having drugs for fun, or because he's boring, or just because he's young and wants to try new experiences, then he gets hooked, starts to rob or to prostitute himself, and eventually ends up in prison. That's what we see in Christiane F., El Pico, Trainspotting, Drugstore Cowboy... There may be differences in the form, and in the characters, but the content is always the same.

The dinstictive feature of Basketball Diaries is that the main character actually exists: Jim Carroll, a writer-singer-performer born in NYC in the 50's. And this is supposed to be his autobiography (or the cinema adaptation of some diaries he wrote when he was a teenager, heroin-addicted). Because of that, Basketball D. is more poetic than the rest of the movies I named before, the voice over of DiCaprio's character is present all along the film, telling us about his thoughts (rather nihilistic's) , with a style near to Burroughs or Jack Kerouac, urban poetry, tough and without ornament. Maybe that's the strong point of Basketball Diaries, because movies such as Christiane F. or El Pico recreates much better what it means to be a drug-addict, they're much more explicit, more dirty, much harder...

DiCaprio's performance deserves a new paragraph, 'cause it's simply astonishing. His best performance EVER, plenty of different shades. As he did in Gilbert Grape or This Boy's Life, he shows us how versatile he can be. If only he'd choose better the films he works in.

My rate: 7/10

St. Vitus' Dance

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 26 June 2004]

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.

Very scary and realistic movie. As real as it gets.

[bobi1369 · 10/10 · 3 August 2006]

Beings that this was Leonardo's first leading role, he was very impressive as Jim Carroll. The movie also stars Lorraine Bracco, Marc Wahlberg, James Madio and Patrick McGaw as his mother and sidekicks respectfully. As an ex-addict myself, I could relate to his story and everything he went through. The movie was so real it brought up a lot of old memories that I thought I had forgotten. I wish every young person was made to see this movie as it takes the fun and games out of even recreational drug use. Not even the strong survive. I give it two thumbs way up and my sincere thanks to Jim Carroll for fighting off his demons to write "The Baasketball Diaries".

A Sorry True Story

[roland-27 · 26 September 1999]

Leonardo Di Caprio puts in the best performance of his career in this sickening true story of boys growing up in a man's world. Him and his friends(including boogie night's Mark Wahlberg) start a life threatening race of drugs and murder.

Ernie Hudson puts in a small appearance as Reggie, the do gooder who tries to put Leo on the right tracks. Juliette Lewis is smartly placed as the local prostitute, and Bruno Kirby plays the gay basketball coach to perfection.

The most disturbing scene for me was when Reggie tries to get Jimmy(leo) off of drugs by locking him in a room for a long time. Both actors do well with Leo in a polished performance. The Basketball Diaries is disturbing, but at the same time, it tells the truth in a way that keeps the images in your mind. If it had one fault, it was under using Lorraine Bracco and Michael Imporliano(both appeared in Goodfellas and The Sopranos). Rating=3/5

DeCaprio Was Brilliant

[DigitalPhreaker · 7/10 · 6 July 2004]

It pisses me off when people say that 'Basketball Diaries' is a rip-off of 'Requiem for a Dream.' The stupidity of the uneducated. It was interesting though seeing the similarities to both films, but that is besides the point.

I was one of those people who thought that Leonardo DeCaprio was just a washed up 'Teen Beat' cover boy. All of that because of 'Titanic.' I really hate to admit that now that I have seen the majority of his work. The first time I really began changing my mind was in 2002 when he starred in both 'Gangs of New York' and 'Catch Me if You Can.' What got me thinking is that both Scorsese and Spielberg aren't the type of directors to hire an actor just because they have a teenage fanbase and also, DeCaprio's performances in both were excellent.

But, it wasn't until recently that I changed my mind completely and realized just how much of an under-appreciated actor he is. He has done films like 'The Beach,' 'Basketball Diaries,' and more, all of which received high acclaim, but because of 'Titanic,' people won't give him a seconds glance. And he was great in 'Titanic.'

Honestly, I doubt that there is any other actor out there who could've done a better job as Jim Carrol. Hell, even Mark Whalberg did a great job. He is another under-appreciated actor.

If you are one of the many people who say that they won't see 'Basketball Diaries' because of Leo, don't be so judgmental. He made the movie so wonderful. It is an excellent film and he is an excellent actor.

9/10

Most underrated film ever!

[cb_roache · 10/10 · 14 June 2007]

Trust me the basketball diaries is the one of the most underrated films I've ever seen, but on rare occasions that's what makes a film brilliant - this is one of those rare occasions.

The acting is absolutely superb especially Dicaprio who people only seemed to acknowledge after playing a preety boy character 'Jack' in the Titanic. After watching this film I really appreciate what a marvelous actor he is. He's so convincing as Jim Carroll a basketball player, poet,drug addict and lost youth shedding his innocence in the seedy city of New York.

Most powerful scene in the movie is when he is begging his 'Ma'for some money for a fix, which is absolutely heartbreaking to watch. Leo's acting really shines when he does a cold turkey scene which is one Oscar nomination well over due! It was so convincing, hairs on the back of your neck will stand up!

Mark Wahlberg plays a disturbed tough guy/school pal very well, Lorraine Bracco is great as Jim's despairing mother and Jim Carroll himself (the author)makes a great cameo. If you haven't read the book the film will prompt you because it's a great read too. The commentary with extracts from Jim's poetry are very fitting and a very beautiful back-drop for Jim and his pals getting up to no good.

One of my favourite films (could you tell?) Well worth a look I hope my review helps. CBR

Intersting presentation of that life

[margineanvladdaniel · 7/10 · 19 February 2022]

I found it hard to watch because of my personal opinion on drugs, but it was a good perspective, felt real and easy to put yourself in those shoes. Leo was great as always and for that year, the biography movie was really well made, I wish they could do them like this now. Kudos to the production department! Make more movies like these please!

Best anti-drug movie I have ever seen

[ferreira0665 · 10/10 · 25 July 2000]

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

lacks tension

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 25 May 2015]

Catholic schoolboy Jim Carroll (Leonardo DiCaprio) lives with his mother (Lorraine Bracco). He's the brash leader of his friends Pedro (James Madio), Neutron (Patrick McGaw) and Mickey (Mark Wahlberg) sniffing glue and causing trouble. They play winning basketball for their lecherous coach Swifty (Bruno Kirby). His best friend Bobby (Michael Imperioli) is dying of leukemia. He plays neighborhood ball with Reggie (Ernie Hudson). He starts to do cocaine and then heroin which sends him down a very dark road.

The movie seems to take place in both the present day and somewhere in the 60s. That conflicted feel along with the poetic diary entries create a surreal dreamlike vibe. It takes the tension out of the movie and limits the immediacy. Leo and everybody do a good job. Leo's star power shines and keeps the movie interesting. However, I just don't feel a sense of danger from this dark coming-of-age movie.

A comparison

[shay_loves_hayden · 10/10 · 13 May 2003]

I can't believe that Requiem For A Dream is on the top 250 list but this isn't. I never thought this movie would be so incredibly underrated! This was the only movie that made me completely swear off drugs. The characters are so young and vulnerable and you get to see them slowly fall into this world of drugs and violence and be completely swept away.

In Requiem For A Dream, the characters start out doing some harder drugs and you barely get to see where everything goes wrong, it just seemed to be like that all of a sudden. The characters aren't as likable and I thought it ended a bit abruptly leaving us no knowledge of what is to become of the characters. I have to give it props though for some brilliant scenes like when they all go into the fetal position at the end.

Basketball Diaries on the other hand gets you involved and attached to the characters. You get to watch them throw away their basketball careers and their lives. The part where Lewis is going through withdrawal is so real and horrible. And after he goes through all that pain, he throws it away and goes straight back to the drugs. This movie is so incredible, I really wish more people would see it and think the same.

Shay

Great acting, horrible script

[regexfan · 6/10 · 17 October 2013]

This movie isn't awful, but it isn't that good either. I agree with most people who said this is probably one of Leo's best performance. But the movie itself has lots of flaws. First off, the screenplay sucks. I didn't sympathize with the main character at all. The movie tries to tell you that if you do drugs you could as well be throwing your future away, but truth is, the kids in this movie have been throwing their future away before they even do drugs.

And what's with one of their friends' sudden change of behavior? Out of a sudden he's telling his friends not to do drugs? What's the reason? And what's with the scene where Jim begs Diane for money? Now Diane's suddenly clean and sober? How?

Actually, Leo's performance is the ONLY thing that makes this movie worth watching. Everything else about it sucks (well, pretty much).

Familiar story with strong performance

[rosscinema · 5/10 · 27 November 2003]

They're have been many films made about characters getting involved with drugs and the stories have become familiar so I have to look to see if any of them have a special quality to recommend them. I don't think this film has that special quality but it does present the viewer with a very strong performance by its star. This is the true story about Jim Carroll (Leonardo DiCaprio) who is a teenager in New York City and the star of his high school basketball team. He goes to a catholic school but definitely does not behave like a good catholic. He hangs out with his friends Mickey (Mark Wahlberg), Neutron (Patrick McGaw) and Pedro (James Madio) and they like to experiment with popping pills and using inhalants. In his spare time Jim writes in his diary about his everyday events and the people in his life. One night while partying with some rich girls he experiments with cocaine for the first time and it doesn't take long before he is using hardcore drugs on a daily basis. During a game Jim passes out and his coach Swifty (Bruno Kirby) kicks him off the team and he and Mickey quit school. Jim's mother (Lorraine Bracco) can't deal with him in this state and kicks him out of their home so now he is living on the streets with Mickey. They rob stores and steal cars to feed their habit until Jim is passed out in the snow. A friend named Reggie (Ernie Hudson) finds him and takes him back to his apartment where he forces Jim to quit cold turkey. After a rocky ordeal for a few days Jim sneaks out and meets Mickey where they try and score in a park. They get ripped off and chase the dealer to the top of a building and during a scuffle with Mickey he is pushed over the edge where he falls and dies. After getting beaten up by the locals in the neighborhood Mickey is hauled off by the police. Jim heads to his mothers and begs for money but she doesn't give him any and the police later catch up with him there.

This film is directed by Scott Kalvert who is making his debut in feature films and the only thing he had directed before this was the video "The Marky Mark Workout" and at times while watching this film I had the notion that the material may be over his head. At times this film does have a strong visual style but as a director his storytelling is pretty basic. This is your familiar story about someone getting involved with drugs and it doesn't really offer anything that you haven't seen in other films about this subject. A lot of the blame comes from Jim Carroll himself and its because survivors of drug addiction love to think that they have something special to offer the world. Don't get me wrong, its great if he can stop individuals from entering a life of hell but for most of us that sort of information is unnecessary and it certainly doesn't equate into a good film. Kalvert does do one thing correctly that enhances the film, he allows DiCaprio the freedom to submerge himself into this character and the camera at times lingers on his face as he wallows in his grotesque state. Some have said that DiCaprio is miscast but I disagree. DiCaprio with his youthful appearance was certainly believable as a teenager and this is a very strong performance. The scene where he is crying by the front door begging for money from his mother is one that is not quickly forgotten. Juliette Lewis has a small role as the hooker Diane and she is also pretty good. I think they're are much better films dealing with this subject and even though I can't really recommend it I do think that the performance of DiCaprio would be the only reason that curious viewers might want to check it out.

Don't Blame this Movie for Real-Life School Violence

[Ddey65 · 5 January 2000]

For the past few years, "The Basketball Diaries" has been blamed for a rash of disconnected school massacres in the United States. The anti-media zealots who blame school violence on the fantasy sequence, where Jim Carroll(Leonardo DiCaprio) barges into his classroom to kill everyone in sight, starting with his teacher, ignore the facts, as usual.

The reasons that Carroll fantasized about this killing spree were; 1)The teacher got a sick thrill from beating his pupils, and 2)Carroll was high on heroin. Of course, one does not need to become a drug addict, in order to desire revenge against power mad tyrants, who exploit people that they believe themselves to be morally superior to. As for the kids of Columbine High, and other pre-Columbine mass-murderers, most of them were either bullies, or victims of bullies. The fact that they were fans of this movie is irrelevant. If what I'm saying isn't true, then perhaps the opponents of free speech would like to tell me why there weren't a rash of school shootings following the 1968 movie "If..."

Rent, or buy an original copy of this film for the following reasons; 1)The talent of Leonardo DiCaprio, 2)The explanation for that controversial fantasy sequence, and 3)The music video for the song "People Who Died,' by the REAL Jim Carroll, just in case you thought that when he made that song 20 years ago, he was only kidding.

Basketball Diaries

[RobTheWatcher · 6/10 · 23 January 2023]

Basketball Diaries was a raw and dark monologue of Jim's life and a representation for inner city kids across the country. The story was sad and dark as he and his friends go down a dark path full of drugs and violence. It's a good reminder for youth to understand the importance of school and sports and avoiding wrong decisions. It was very cool to see Leo and Mark as kids and the acting was really good. It did get boring and slow at times and a lot was very over dramatized. It's also just a very old movie so the quality was kind of poor. But regardless it's worth the watch to anyone who likes Leo.

Very powerfull statement against drugs.

[Michiel Waaijer · 9/10 · 26 February 2000]

I think 'The basketball diaries' is a realistic and very important movie. It shows the road that one walks to being addicted to drugs. From taking dope once a week to taking dope every day, every hour. Leonardo DiCaprio playes a basketballplayer, a schoolkid(Jim Carrol) who walks this path. He experiments with drugs 'till there is no way back. He gets himself in all kinds of stupid situations. He starts robbing stores, ripping off money from old ladies just to get some cash for dope. His life is beginning to look like a living hell. His basketballcoach wants to have sex with him, and when he passes out on the basketballfield due to taking a wrong kind of 'pep-pil', he gets kicked out of the basketball team and from school. From this moment on everything goes in a downward spiral for DiCaprio.

An excellent scenario you would say, and it is. The acting from DiCaprio is great. We saw it earlier on in his career when he got oscar-nominated for 'What's eating gilbert grape'. A gripping drama in which he playes a disabled kid. But in 'The basketball diaries' he playes an equally difficult part. Not a lot actors would have put down this kid who's life is wrecked, and who is constantly thinking about dope as well as DiCaprio did.

The statement the movie delivers is a powerfull one. Being addicted to drugs is horrible. Usually people learn about this aspect trough seminars or televisonshows such as Oprah Winfrey. But it never really gets the kind of attention and understanding from the audience as 'The Basketball diaries' delivers.

The amazing performance by DiCaprio, the fact that this movie is actually based on a true story and the reality the movie is set in, 'The basketball diaries' deserves a 9 out of 10.

Interesting anti-drugs movie

[AgustinCesaratti · 7/10 · 13 November 2019]

The Basketball Diaries

I don't think this is Leo's best performance but is a Leo performance. The movie is very good, sometimes it seemed that the other actors performance were very fake? Idk maybe it is just me but it the end the message of the movie is clear and very well executed.

Very Good Biography/Film

[Easygoer10 · 9/10 · 21 April 2019]

I like the casting. DiCaprio is brilliant, and Mark Wahlberg as well. Juliette Lewis is perfect, as well as Ernie Hudson. Bruno Kirby is terrific as the sexually deviant (child molester) basketball coach.

On the downside, the screenplay is far from what Jim Carroll wrote. As a reformed hard core opiate addict myself, I truly know exactly what Carroll felt. For me, the best scene is when Jim (DiCaprio) is dope-sick outside his mother's door; what he immediately realizes is his former home. The worst? The first time he shoots heroin. Except for the "warm feeling" (an oral description), it so much more than what is shown on the screen.

For me, especially very strong pharmaceutical opiates (and heroin), were like a warm blanket settling all over me. Plus having sex, shooting a machine gun, and screaming through all the gears to red line in a Ferrari; the mid-engine roaring right behind your head: all at the same time! That is what it feels like; the first few times. Eventually it gets worse; worse than anyone can possibly imagine; who has not lived (or died) through withdrawals, as I have.

Jim Carroll, who wrote the autobiography this film is based upon, got clean and became very famous as a writer (for a while); he is cast in the film, too. Andy Warhol took him under his wing, which is what helped his career; enormously. Unfortunately, Carroll died at age 60. All things considered, not bad. I am almost 65, and should have died over 35 years ago. I am grateful.

A downer because of its nature and the quick "positive" ending

[steiner-sam · 6/10 · 28 August 2021]

It's set in 1960s Manhattan and is a coming-of-age story of a teenage boy's descent into drug addiction. It seems to have a fairly distant relationship to Carroll's own story.

Jim Carroll (Leonardo DiCaprio) is part of a small group of teenage guys at a Catholic high school. His best friend, Bobby (Michael Imperioli), has terminal leukemia. Other friends include Mickey (Mark Wahlberg), Pedro (James Madio), and Neutron (Patrick McGaw). His single mother (Lorraine Bracco) struggles to hold things together. The basketball coach (Bruno Kirby) is an in-the-closet gay man who pursues Jim. Jim constantly records his thoughts and unfolding events in booklets, often in poetic language.

The guys get into increasing trouble with small thefts and teenage shenanigans until they begin to get hooked on pills. After accidentally taking downers instead of uppers, Jim, Mickey, and Pedro get thrown out of school. Neutron resists the pill culture and goes on to become a high school All-American basketball player. The three guys then begin to use heroin and become increasingly addicted.

The film follows their descent into legal trouble, efforts by acquaintances to help them, and a very short "explanation" at the end of how Jim escapes addiction and begins to share his poetry publicly.

The film is interesting mostly as one of Leonardo DiCaprio's earlier films. In my view, he actually does a good job, but the screenplay and direction are quite wanting. There are quick cuts from scene to scene, and outside of DiCaprio's character, the rest are quite limited.

This movie is quite a downer because of its nature and the quick "positive" ending. And in my view, it doesn't do as good a job of portraying descent into addiction as a film like "Panic in Needle Park."

Every teenaged kid should watch this film!

[david_samuel_vardy · 10/10 · 24 August 2006]

If the U.S. government wanted to win the "war on drugs", all they had to do was show this film in every high school in America ... a lot cheaper than running the D.E.A., I reckon. There are other films which could fit into this group; "Midnight Express" comes to mind. During the short time that I spent living in Toronto, I saw a shocking number of people whose lives were destroyed by drugs. I believe that the real root of the drug pandemic lies in the fact that young people don't understand the nature of hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. I take my hat off to Leo. He is a much better actor than people give him credit for being.

Truthful, frightening, and a good movie

[skullhead739 · 7/10 · 25 May 2020]

Acting: The cast was great, it consists of people that will later on be known as A listers. The acting was done right and let's you feel for the characters your watching. Whether its happiness all the way to sadness. It has well developed characters and it's not hard to relate to them.

Cinematography: Pretty decent camera shots and quality of film especially for the time. Every shot and scene seems to be done with meaning and purpose.

Story: This being based of a true story makes it even more of a hit to the gut. From beginning to end its filled with interesting characters and story. You follow a group of boys through good times, funny moments and then as their lives start to crumble further into the story so does your mood and hope for their future. This is definitely a emotional story that builds up and shows hardships Leo's character faces. It includes pedophilia, drug addiction, loss of friendship, death and more. The end was nice but ended quite suddenly and randomly. Some parts in the film did seem a bit unrealistic as well. But overall the story hit hard and was done well.

Summary: This film tells a emotional tale of some hard times kids can face in life. It's not the best I've seen. But for me it definitely was a really good movie. I would highly suggest it if your into your emotional movies. 7.5/10 for me.

love the honesty here

[tricia-19 · 10/10 · 6 June 1999]

This film is an unapologetic look at the plunge into the nightmare world of drugs and teen angst. Though based on a true story (however lightly) it has tremendous merit by itself. It abandons the preachy politically correct pathway and takes you down the road without any warning. It leaves the viewer free to form their own opinion. I love it!

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

[Idocamstuf · 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 ****

Redemption?

[tom1994 · 5/10 · 12 May 2006]

So I had heard good things about this movie. It certainly does a good job depicting how ugly life can be. It is very dark. Leonardo DiCaprio did a good job in this film, but does much better in other works (just about everything else he has ever been in). The scene where he asks his mother for money and cries outside of her door should have been more violent. Maybe his character didn't have any more strength to act more violently, but the movie had me suspend disbelief willingly up until that point. The movie doesn't glorify drugs or violence and I didn't find it at all unrealistic until that scene outside of his mother's door. I expected Jim to be considerably more violent and desperate, but instead he just kind of paws at the door and at his mother and then whimpers and cries on the steps outside her door (oh he half heartedly yells out a few times but where is that desperate strength, that animal rage that should have been there?). And then at the end - Jim is redeemed so quickly - how and why? What does he have to live for? Why does he cleanup in jail? What is his life about after the drugs? Telling and retelling his horrific "drughead" days? That's not redemption. I did not find this movie to be as good as I was lead to believe it was going to be.