The Basketball Diaries
Jim Carroll's autobiographical cult novel about a young basketball's player's descent into heroin addiction stars Leonardo DiCaprio in his breakthrough role. Jim is a panther on the courts, but after experimentation with pills and cough syrup give way to a heroin habit supported by prostitution, only true friendship can save his life. Haunting and real, The Basketball Diaries is a powerful portrayal of chaos and redemption.
Member Reviews
High and Dry - colinbrain
To be perfectly honest, I probably approached this film with too high of hopes. It is the very raw interpretation of a young man's struggle with drug addiction. The film is at times painfully real, and DiCaprio's portrayal is applause-worthy, but that's pretty much were the praise ends. It is just one blow after another, which made me and my girlfriend quite depressed, almost ruining the rest of our night after watching this. Well acted, but leaves a really bad taste in your mouth. 2.5/5Hard, Realistic look at Drug Addiction. - cathyottawa
Based on the memoirs of writer/musician Jim Carroll, this movie takes us through the full cycle of drug addiction.
We meet Jim as a typical New York high school kid. We follow him as he experiments with drugs, tries heroin, and gets hooked.
We watch his life spiral down, as he becomes a full out junkie. We watch him hit rock bottom, and somehow find help, and slowly crawl out of the gutter and get well.
Leonardo DiCapprio is wonderful as usual, turning in a powerful performance (and he's a lot cuter than the real Jim Carroll!).
The supporting cast is excellent. Particularily Lorraine Bracco as Jim's mom. You'll empathize with her as she struggles to help her son. There's a scene where full out junkie Jim comes to ask for money - it's heartwrenching to watch her reaction.
Mark Walburg is also quite good as Jim's best friend and fellow junkie. They get addicted together, and spiral down together, but Mark's story has a very different ending.
Juliette Lewis also has a small, but memorable role.
This is a powerful movie, that may just help deter your teen kids from trying heavy drugs.Not Much To Do About Basketball - Dario
I was hesitant in watching this movie for I am not a sports fan and even less of a fan of sports movies. But to my surprise and pleasure it had little to do with basketball and more to do with life as a teenager in New York.
The world of drugs, pier pressure and the big city slowly take affect on the youth in this movie. So slow in fact that the characters and you barely see it coming until its too late.
Without giving up the ending the movie shows the darkest things that can happen to a teenager but also shows that this doesn't have to happen, not eveyone gets caught up in it and those that do can find a way out, if they want it.
Member Reviews
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High and Dry - colinbrain
To be perfectly honest, I probably approached this film with too high of hopes. It is the very raw interpretation of a young man's struggle with drug addiction. The film is at times painfully real, and DiCaprio's portrayal is applause-worthy, but that's pretty ...Hard, Realistic look at Drug Addiction. - cathyottawa
Based on the memoirs of writer/musician Jim Carroll, this movie takes us through the full cycle of drug addiction.
We meet Jim as a typical New York high school kid. We follow him as he experiments with drugs, tries heroin, and gets hooked.
We ...Not Much To Do About Basketball - Dario
I was hesitant in watching this movie for I am not a sports fan and even less of a fan of sports movies. But to my surprise and pleasure it had little to do with basketball and more to do with life as a teenager in New York.
The world of drugs, pier ...