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Leonardo DiCaprio's best performance

This is an amazing film and in my opinion should be shown to every person of school age to show them the reality of taking hard drugs. In this true story, DiCaprio plays Jim Carroll, a teenager with a promising future as a Basketball Player in front of him. He and his friends take uppers etc for fun, but this soon develops into more serious drug addictions after he and 2 of his friends are thrown off the team when they are caught out one day.This film really shows the harsh side of drug-taking and that what may start out as a few pills and poppers, can lead to a more destructive path. Mark Wahlberg puts in an excellent performance as Jim's friend and I can honestly say I don't think there is a single cast member who lets this film down.An honest depiction of drug taking and it's not so glamorous side.

Leonardo's great performance.

To tell the truth, "Basketball Diaries" is not a perfect adaptation of Jim Carroll's book. Yet it captures the spirit so finely you cannot deny the director's masterful work in its case. But the main reason to watch the movie is undoubtedly DiCaprio's superb acting. In this pre-Titanic performance, Leonardo seems absolutely focussed and dedicated to put his best. No one could perform better as the heroin addicted hero. Truely speaking, I like this performance more than those in Titanic or The Beach.The story centers too much in him but in my opinion it was good in one point of view. At least you don't have to bother much on the course of the story. Just watch the acting and that would be enough.

It was the most honest movie I have ever seen.

I am extremely upset that this movie has been recalled. It is a hopeful and inspiring story, not meant to be about killing. It renewed my faith in the strength of the human spirit, Jimmy's story is truely amazing!

Garbage!

This is absolutely garbage. I can't believe that anybody would make such a movie. If it were possible I would give it zero stars. Actually, if it were possible, I would give it -100000 stars. If there were such a thing as negative infinity, I would give this movie negative infinity stars. This movie sucks!

Sure it's a true story...but where's the plot?

Although Leonardo DiCaprio shows some amazing depth and vulnerability here it can't save the movie from becoming redundant.

When there is a plot, the movie does very well: a young street punk goes bad due to the various pressures of school and life. But once he goes bad, so does the film. DiCaprio's performance is extraordinary, but how many times need we watch a junkie lay on the ground and ask for money, even if the performance is extraordinary? We see his character sinking lower and lower, until rock bottom is hit, and then is hit again, and again, and again. All right, he's at the bottom, we get it. Perhaps it was complete truthfulness to the real-life story, directed that way to help the tragedy sink in for us viewers. Sink it did.

But the movie is good nonetheless. It's certainly gritty, realistic and very hard to watch at points. Bruno Kirby is particularly icky, with a sadistic smile that could make you hurl. It would work very well (almost up there with "Requiem for a Dream" in this aspect) as an anti-drug video for schools. It probably could have been half as long, and more powerful because of it.

Playing Hard Ball

If Leonardo diCaprio had not already made this film, he would be cast immediately for the role of lifetime. Mr. diCaprio's performance as the lanky, audacious, and attitude-heavy high school basketball player whose descent into heroin-hell is the true story of the author, Jim Carroll, can only be described as superb. As often as diCaprio is cited for his Titanic performance, "Basketball Diaries" is one for his resume of fine, solid performances. With cameras in streets of lower Manhattan, the junkie life of a street urchin is neither fun nor games, it is pathos and crime. Teens who flock to diCaprio films should see "Basketball Diaries" as a point of information. When the glamorous veneer of heroin and cocaine wears off, all that is left is the sight of diCaprio -- frothing at the mouth, twisting, and screaming in pain as the cold turkey rehabilitation program of friend, Ernie Hudson takes over his body. Most young girls, the rabid diCaprio fans, would find this scene too realistic and too ugly. But that is what the author intended. In a too brief cameo appearance, Carroll's words are at times glorious poems of haiku grace, but his own speed rap about his memories of a Catholic ceremony is a monologue chilling in its irony, for he is cooking up to fix while he speaks. Fine performances from the young supporting cast including a thuggish Marky Mark Walberg and a heart wrenching Lorraine Bracco as the mother who can do nothing for her son but call the police make "Basketball Diaries" worthy of everyone's attention. END

This is horrible

This is by far the most disgustin video, i have ever seen. It sucks

Gripping

A gripping, intense story - supported by superior acting by DiCaprio... this film is a unique, and unforgettable work of art... A must see for any film fan that likes an edgy, hard-hitting style... One of the most realistic portrayals of drug addictions ever made... If you didn't get a chance to see "Trapped In a Purple Haze" starring Jonathan Jackson, I highly recommend you to try to get your hands on that as well... "Basketball Diaries" is incredible - if you haven't seen it - GET IT... But be prepared, and watch with an open mind... A+

DO WATCH IT!

I first saw this movie about 5 years ago and I do believe that it is one that should be watched, not once but at least twice. its gritty and although I've never been in those situations i think its really realistic and added to that is the good story line and talented actors like Leonardo Dicaprio. must see

Captivating and gripping

The Basketball Diaries blew me away. Not only was the story moving and gripping, but the acting was also quite good. It demonstrates what really happens when you get caught for hustling, and hooked. it was very real and very well done.

overwrought morality play

Heroin is bad. Quitting school is bad. Do heroin, and quit school, and you'll end up a hopeless loser. If you understand those two points, then you already know everything The Basketball Diaries is trying to tell you. If you think the drug issue is any more complex than that, then prepare to be disappointed by this movie.The movie started off somewhat promisingly, with a look at the lives of Jim Caroll and his friends (as interpreted by the moviemakers, of course). The first part is in turns funny and sad, and is generally realistic enough to be poignant.As soon as Leonardo diCaprio is forced to play someone spiralling into a nightmare of addiction, however, everything goes downhill. If this movie has any subtle or interesting point to make about drug abuse or society, it forgets it here. It just goes back and forth between silly drug-induced dreams and numerous scenes of petty crime, filthy rooms, and Jim looking increasingly corpselike.The main reason why this part of the movie seems so absurd is the performance of diCaprio himself. The scenes where he tries to get money from his mother, and where he goes through withdrawal, were so hammily overacted that I stopped being shocked and started laughing. Then I stopped laughing and started wanting to hit the mute button. There is one scene where he seems like he does nothing but moan "maaaaaaaaaa... wahhhhh" for minutes on end. There is a difference between drama and melodrama. It's clear that this movie can't resist portraying the latter at the expense of the former.Anyhow, if you want a movie that will challenge you to think about the drug issue, watch Traffic. If you want an after-school special, watch the Basketball Diaries.

diaries to life

This movie is a tale of young man's struggle through his teen years. In the beginning, he has it all, but then starts using drugs for a thrill. When his habit becomes and addiction, this movie takes you on a ride that brings the dark side of drugs to life. DiCaprio's work in this movie is sheer genius.. A must see!

How drugs are not cool!

The Basketball Diaries is a good movie, i'm not saying it's a good movie for a young kid like me but it teaches you at the end of the movie that drugs are not so cool! It can get you to jail , it can even get you killed. It also teaches you not to steal or back-talk your mother, or not to get into fights, and to choose the right friends. I think it teaches you every thing you should not do.I mean obviously the guy is trying to say drugs are not cool and they can get you in alot of troule.Because if you get it on dvd you go on this thing I forgot what it is called, but these people are interviewed and there saying that drugs messed up their lives and how they used to think anything whith drugs were cool, but they are not.

Movie for the depressed...

I have seen my share of depressing movies. But I have to say, the Basketball Diaries takes the cake. It's a drama for the drug addicted, confused, povert, or just lonely. This movie has opened my eyes to an entire new perspective on life. The soundtrack is sweet. Each song is a poem and it speaks to you in it own way. Jim Caroll is a genius that I have a new found respect for. The poetry in the movie is insane. It attacks you from all angles. It grasps every sense you have and squeezes until you are exhausted. Please, give this movie a shot.

pretty good

This book was really intresting and enjoyable. Iusually put books down after 30 pages or so, but this book kept me intrested. It brought me into a whole different world- a world where drugs are plentiful and heavily used and sex is abused. I must say, however, that this book is not for younger children, because of the many, many obcenities. END

A Grim Film

The Basketball Diaries is a competent, but faulted film. It is film which has Leonardo DiCaprio and Marc Walburg in early performances.The Basketball Diaries tells the story of four friends who play basketball for their high school team and like to spent their spare time taking drugs, especially heroin. As Basketball players their futures seem promising but they slowly decent into a life of sex and crime, ending up getting kicked out of there homes and out of school. They are forced to live on the streets of 1970s New York and hit rock bottom.The film is well made, and DiCaprio does give a good performance. I think it was a well directed film, really showing how bleck New York was and how bad drugs are. The film reminds of films like Thirteen, Trainspotting and Requiem for a Dream. However, my criticism of the film is there is no sympathetic character in film, and therefore, you don't truly sorry for any of them. This wasn't the case in the other films I mention.The Basketball Diaries is worth watching, but you don't have to knock-yourself out to see it.

True Harsh Drug Drama.. About a Great Poet

I am very biased. The Jim Carroll band is a Lou Reed styled rock band, of some (little) prominence in the 80's. His music is highly rewarding in many ways.. especially lyrically, he's yet another great artist that didn't get his due. The movie is by all counts an accurate portrayal of his life right before getting his recording contract. DiCaprio, sports a credible likeness to Jim Carroll and does a fine job here. The movie is harsh and not for young or sensitive viewers. My recommendation is get music by Jim Carroll and view the movie later if interested.

good but book is better.

When I first saw Basketball Diaries I loved it. Dicaprio's performance is really good. The book however is far better; yet, the hollywood version is really good. Definately recommend this if you are a depressant like I am. Jim Carrol's life should have been written sooner. The one thing that I didn't like about the movie that didn't have in the book is that it didn't show how much of a delinquent the boy really was.

Heartbreaking film

This film is about a group of high school students throwing their lives away by spiralling into drug addiction."The Basketball Diaries" is not really about basketball as I initially thought. It's about young men messing around, their bonds and friendship. Leonardo DiCaprio is really amazing as a drug addict. His withdrawal scenes in the black guy's home deserve to be honoured. His performance is so real and so heartbreaking. It brings out the message of the scary side of drug addiction.The plot is also very touching. It concentrates on "how low can one get". Every time Leonardo DiCaprio gets more dehumanised, I get even sadder. The ending plea through the door is heartbreaking. Yes it is a film, but it is based on so many true stories around the world.It's a film that connects with and impacts the viewers for a long time to come.

A lurid, dark portrait of modern youth.

The Basketball Diaries is the true life story of Jim Carrol. Although please don't be fooled by the above as the film only charts a mere fraction of his adolescent youth, all of which is crammed into 97 minutes. But this is effective stuff. The acting is solid and at times superb(in particular is Bruno Kirby's perverse turn as Basketball coach 'Swifty')even good old Ernie (Ghostbusters) Hudson makes his presence known with very subtle delivery, especially as the film spirals deep into its very lucid heroine addiction centre. Stand out performances would have to go to Lorraine Bracco who plays Jim's tortured mother, Mark Wahlbergs 'fresh off the street rebel swagger' is fantastic to watch and we can't forget Leo's own characterisation of Jim Carrol. Clearly Leo is far more comfortable in these kind of roles. With stand out performances covered it must have made it easier for director Scott Kalvert to concentrate on the look of the film. Which is wonderfully dark, gritty and in places, quite beautiful. The directors only faults are his interpretation of the time period. The time of Jim Carrol's life that is being portrayed here is the 1970's, but when watching it you can't help but think it's more late 80's early 90's. Not too much wrong, though a bit longer would have been nice. This could even be considered a strong, honest 'don't do drugs lesson' for school children. and there's nothing wrong with that as this is a bold film with solid characterisation and fantastic imagery. Poetic you might say.Rory John Shelley.