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I still read, rate and comment but rarely write on here.
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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 of drugs and prostitutes which are all around him.
Cast ~~ I have to admit to never rating Leonardo Di Caprio as an actor, thinking that he only starred in corny, cheesy blockbusters 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 a laugh at school, on the basketball team and taking soft drugs. He’s in control off his life. But soon his life begins to go downhill, starting with a rather enjoyable experience for Jim with cocaine at some very attractive twin girls flat but then that leads on to even harder drugs like heroine. And soon Carroll’s addicted, so desperate that he’s prepared to steal from an elderly lady by asking for directions whilst his friends mug her. The story is pretty much downhill all the way and the Basketball Diaries is a pretty dark film but there is light at the end of the tunnel and a rather unpredictable ending. The Basketball Diaries is one of those rare films that carries a genuine message, the Basketball Diaries carries a message for one main reason; because it is a true story that we can believe is true. Director Scot Kalvert manages to keep things realistic, something directors find hard when it comes to basing films on true stories.
Soundtrack ~~ The soundtrack to the Basketball Diaries is brilliant. It not only suits the film well but is an album worth buying. The Basketball Diaries soundtrack is a bit of a mixture between rock and punk. The best song on the soundtrack is the Jim Carroll band – People who died in my opinion. Go to Audiogalaxy and search “Basketball Diaries” if the soundtrack sounds you’re sort of thing.
Overall ~~ The Basketball Diaries is a great drama that beats the British equivalent “Trainspotting” in my opinion. Di Caprio’s performance is truly amazing and he was certainly worthy of an Oscar. As well as being a great film the Basketball Diaries also has a message. And it gives that message from a neutral angle. The film does not just highlight the dangers of drugs but also shows the good times Jim and his friends have because of drugs. The film does achieve its target though and rightly direct people away from drugs which the real Jim Carroll wanted.
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
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 ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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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Advantages: Deals with a very hard subject Disadvantages: None
christianfilmcritic 08.02.2006 (08.02.2006)
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Review of The Basketball Diaries (DVD)
![The Basketball Diaries [DVD] [1995]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78525054.jpg "The Basketball Diaries [DVD] [1995]")
Jun 27th, 2001
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