... The film is an adaptation on his book "The Basketball Diaries" and from what I have read, the film makers have used poetic license in the order of events and some of the characters. Even with this knowledge, this is a very gripping and disturbing film which details a man's demise as he become ... Read review
The pre-TitanicLeonardo DiCaprio stars as Jim Carroll, the poet and musician who spent ... more
much of his adolescence addicted to heroin and shooting hoops with fellow Catholic high-school kids. As a biography, the film doesn't amount to more than the sum of ...
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In the early 1970's there emerged from the brutal streets of New York the voice for a new ... more
generation of youth disillusioned by the lost promises of the 60's. The voice belonged to Jim Carroll, whose unflinching, compelling and corrosive memories of ado...
In a performance hailed by critics across the country Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Jim ... more
Carroll a high school basketball hero headed for trouble. Teamed with his friends Mickey Neutron and Pedro Jim seems destined for a bright basketball career. But ...
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Production Year: 1997 - Drama - Director: Gillian Armstrong - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Cate Blanchett, Ciaran Hinds, Tom Wilkinson, Richard Roxburgh
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Deals with a very hard subject Disadvantages: None
...But this leads them into the world of drugs and we see Jim and his lives collapse as they progress through cocaine, pills and heroin. Thrown out of school and home we see Jim beg, steal and prostitute himself to get the money to fund his addiction.
This is the true story of Jim Carroll, a writer, and musician who became a voice for a generation. The film is an adaptation on his book "The Basketball Diaries" and from ... ...license in the order of events and some of the characters. Even with this knowledge, this is a very gripping and disturbing film which details a man's demise as he become addicted to hard drugs. This is one of two films which I have come across which deals with the subject of drugs in a very visual manner, the other is Trainspotting. Through Jim's graphic writing you get too see the high that he got from taking drugs, but then you see how ill it ... more
Jim Carroll is a talented High School Basketball player and reams of getting himself out of his neighbourhood by becoming a basketball star. Every now and then, Jim and a group of friends would get high on sniffing solvents. But this leads them into the world of drugs and we see Jim and his lives collapse as they progress through cocaine, pills and heroin. Thrown out of school and home we see Jim beg, steal and prostitute himself to get the money to fund his addiction.
This is the true story of Jim Carroll, a writer, and musician who became a voice for a generation. The film is an adaptation on his book "The Basketball Diaries" and from what I have read, the film makers have used poetic license in the order of events and some of the characters. Even with this knowledge, this is a very gripping and disturbing film which details a man's demise as he become addicted to hard drugs. This is one of two films which I have come across which deals with the subject of drugs in a very visual manner, the other is Trainspotting. Through Jim's graphic writing you get too see the high that he got from taking drugs, but then you see how ill it made him afterwards and how the addiction took over his life and ravaged his body.
The main star of the film is Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic) as Jim Carroll, although River Phoenix (Sneakers) was originally the first choice for the role before he died. DiCaprio does a very good job of demonstrating the immense talent of Carroll and his demise into homelessness and drug addiction. DiCaprio was only 20 years old when he made this and he puts in a performance of someone who has been in the business a lot longer. There are some very good supporting performances which includes Mark Wahlberg (Boogie Nights) as Jim's best friend Mickey. Like Jim, we see Mickey spiral into a world of hard drugs, but we also see how it makes his already violent temper to become uncontrollable. Then there is Lorraine Bracco (Goodfellas) who plays Jim's mother, through her performance, we see a mother become broken hearted as her once good child turns into a lying, stealing drug addict. All the supporting cast put in very good performances in what must have been a hard film to shoot.
The film is directed by Scott Kalvert, who prior to this had directed "Form… Focus… Fitness the Marky Mark Workout". With a fitness video as his credential, Kalvert has done a fantastic job of directing this film. With such a disturbing subject, he has made it real enough to make you feel disgusted but still makes it watch able. The scenes where Jim tries to beat his addiction by going through Cold Turkey makes me feel glad that I have never had to go through that, the pain that he suffered really shocked me. He has also shown that the one thing which was constant throughout this time was his writing; it was his one saving grace. The sound track to the film features some of Jim's own pieces; these can be heard over the scenes which inspired the lyrics to the songs. = The Cast =======Leonardo DiCaprio .... Jim Carroll Lorraine Bracco .... Jim's Mother Mark Wahlberg .... Mickey James Madio .... Pedro Patrick McGaw .... Neutron Bruno Kirby .... Swifty Michael Imperioli .... Bobby Roy Cooper .... Father McNulty Juliette Lewis .... Diane Moody======= Technical Details =============Certificate: 18 Length: 97 mins======================= The Message & Christian View Point =============================Drugs are bad. This film clearly shows how bad drug addiction is and what effect it has on your life. As reported in the news just last week, children as young as eleven are taking hard drugs. We have to face the facts that drug addiction is a huge problem which won't go away. The way it creeps up on you is shocking, as you think you are in control but before you know it, it has taken over your life. It's not just drugs, but alcohol and gambling addictions do exactly the same, they creep up on you without you realising. You also have to remember that it's not just your life that you affect but those of your family and friends around you. We should all be aware of what affects these addictions have as, speaking from first hand experience, they creep up and ruin your life.========== Conclusion & Rating ================This is a very gritty and disturbing film which depicts one man's true story of drug addiction. The film does not glamorize the world of drugs at all but shows as it is, a very nasty addiction which ruins your life. The film is classified as 18 because of it's graphic depiction of drug addiction with related strong violence,sexuality and language. This is right but is also a shame as I feel a lot of young people under the age of 18 would benefit from seeing this. I would recommend everyone watch this at least once just so that you can appreciate what addictions can do to you.
The Basketball Diaries is available on Amazon at the price of £6.97 which is a reasonable price for this film.
Advantages: Has a message, good film, Di Caprio at his best Disadvantages: None
Introduction ~~
Set in the early 1970’s in New York the Basketball Diaries is about young and talented basketball player – Jim Carroll (Leonardo Di Caprio) Carroll is a promising basketball player who will make it to the top with a little bit of effort and skill. Wanting to become a basketball player is difficult and it means drugs and alcohol are a no-no but living in 1970’s New York Jim Carroll just can’t resist the temptations ... ...but his outstanding performance in the Basketball Diaries completely changed my opinion. Acting as a stoned junkie must be the hardest task for an actor and Di Caprio excels as it.
Though you must not forget Mickey (Mark Wahlberg) Neutron (Patrick McGaw) and Pedro (James Madio) who play Jim’s friends. Wahlberg adds a touch of brilliance as the rather dopey Mickey. Story ~~
At the beginning of the film we see Jim happy, he’s having ...
Disillusioned 27.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Basketball Diaries (DVD)
Advantages: A very well-made movie with a lasting impression Disadvantages: May not be appropriate for all audiences
The Basketball Diaries (starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Juliette Lewis) portrays the teenage years of writer/poet Jim Carroll growing up in New York City. The story is extremely accurate and leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination which gives it quite a contraversial flair. Many critics have found it suggestive of drug use, promiscuous sex, theft, and violence, but it's not meant to be suggestive by any means. It's meant to show how ... ...of your game" in the form of a biography of a very talented, successful man who overcame terrible trials and tribulations to achieve greatness.
The Basketball Diaries is the amazing true story of a man who's seen it all, and wants to show you a piece of his world. ...
gavvys_girl 22.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Basketball Diaries (DVD)
...good at sport and have the talent to go straight to the top, instead they through away their Basketball careers for hard drugs. They sleep rough, and very soon become addicts. It's a good eye opener and really pushes the message home not to get involved with drugs. It stars Leonardo Di Caprio who's very good, I won't spoil the ending but it's good. The film highlights what the kids could have been and what they have become, and when they see a fellow ...
sid 24.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Basketball Diaries (DVD)
...little glimmer of hope at the end. Dicaprio and a group of friends are really talented basketball players and if they work hard have the talent to go all the way. But, they get involved in rugs and apart from one of them who does go on to be a basketball player the rest fall away, drug addicts, thefts, prostitutes anything for money. Dicaprio loves writing and he’s always writing things in his diary and it’s not until a friend get’s ... ...make it. He plays the leading role an wonderfully well too. Th supporting acts are excellent as well. Perfect for teenagers, an adults will open your eyes and bring a tear to your eyes. I rate it as one of the best films I have seen. ...
begum 26.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Basketball Diaries (DVD)
Advantages: Amazing acting Disadvantages: A bit rushed at the end
...of my friends. It follows the story of 16 year-old Jim Carrol ( Di Caprio) who is part of a successful high school basketball team at a Catholic high school in New York. Jim has hopes of playing in the NBA and is also a promising writer who constantly writes poems down in his diary (hence the name). The Basketball team are close friends who hang out together ,however, they have a bit of a mischievious side to them. There ditching school and drinking ... ...on a sinking ship. The death of Jims closest friend Bobby, to leukemia, is the the final straw for Jim and the unfairness of his death effects him deeply. Soon enough what was just harmless fun and an escape escalates into serious drug addiction
Once addicted Jim, and his teammates, quickly lose their basketball skills and their dreams of playing in the NBA diminish, they gets kicked out of school and Jim gets thrown out of his house. This leaves ...
fatsam21 11.10.2004 (12.10.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Basketball Diaries (DVD)
Writer Jim Carroll and his journey into drug addiction, crime and depravation, before a period of incarceration on Riker's Island.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
FIRST INDEPENDENT VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date
04/12/2000
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
VAD 10010
Barcode
5035822001008
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Feature Montage, Interview Bites, Miscellaneous B Roll, Theatrical Trailer, TV Spots
Aspect Ratio
4:3 Full Frame, 1.85 Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Professional reviews
Review
"...Energetic....A glimpse of the great actor Leonardo DiCaprio is going to be." (Entertainment Weekly, p.39, 21/04/1995)
"...[DiCaprio is] a stunning natural performer who hides nothing, with the wrenching expressions of a latter-day James Dean..." (New York Times, p.C12, 21/04/1995)
"...DiCaprio is electrifying....A wild ride fueled by profane wit and hallucinatory power..." (Rolling Stone, p.127-8, 23/03/1995)
"...[The film] pulsates as an early-'60s time capsule..." (USA Today, p.7D, 21/04/1995)
"...[DiCaprio delivers] a game, highly emotional performance that further confirms previous indications of a major talent..." (Variety, 06/02/1995)
DVD Description
A member of the top high school basketball team in New York City falls prey to the lure of the streets- more specifically heroin- in this coming-of-age drama. Pre-superstardom Leonardo DiCaprio gives a strong performance in this gritty and interesting, if rather unfaithful, adaptation of writer/poet Jim Carroll's captivating teenage memoirs of being young and streetwise.
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