The Basketball Diaries

1995, Drama, 1h 42m

43 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

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critics consensus

In spite of its young leading man's heroic efforts to hold it all together, a muddled message prevents The Basketball Diaries from compelling as a cautionary tale. Read critic reviews

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The Basketball Diaries Photos

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Movie Info

Jim Carroll (Leonardo DiCaprio) is consumed by his life as a high school basketball star. Pressured by a wicked coach (Bruno Kirby) and a concerned mother (Lorraine Bracco), Jim develops an appetite for heroin. Soon, the mean streets of New York City have replaced the basketball court as his main destination. Jim and his friends scrounge, steal and prostitute themselves to score drugs. Jim's only chance to escape addiction may be Reggie (Ernie Hudson), a neighborhood friend and hoops companion.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Scott Kalvert
  • Producer:
    Liz Heller, John Bard Manulis
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $2.1M
  • Runtime:
  • Sound Mix:
    Surround, Stereo

Cast & Crew

Leonardo DiCaprio
Jim Carroll
Bruno Kirby
Swifty
Lorraine Bracco
Jim's Mother
Ernie Hudson
Reggie
Patrick McGaw
Neutron
James Madio
Pedro
Mark Wahlberg
Mickey
Barton Heyman
Confessional Priest
Roy Cooper
Father McNulty
Josh Mostel
Counterman
Juliette Lewis
Diane Moody
Michael Rapaport
Skinhead
Michael Imperioli
Bobby
Manny Alfaro
Manny
Scott Kalvert
Director
Liz Heller
Producer
John Bard Manulis
Producer
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The Basketball Diaries

All Critics (43) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (23)
Full Review… Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Full Review… Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader Full Review… Janet Maslin New York Times Full Review… Peter Travers Rolling Stone Full Review… Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times Full Review… Hal Hinson Washington Post Full Review… Mal Vincent The Virginian-Pilot Full Review… Q.V. Hough Vague Visages Full Review… Jas Keimig The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Full Review… Nick Johnston Vanyaland Full Review… Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Full Review… David Gurney Common Sense Media
View All Critic Reviews (43)

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