Leonardo Dicaprio's The Basketball Diaries 1995 film

Based on a Real Life story

The Basketball Diaries is a 1995 American drama film directed by Scott Kalvert, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lorraine Bracco, James Madio, and Mark Wahlberg. It is based on the autobiographical book of the same name by Jim Carroll.[1]

The film was shot in New York City.

The movie is based on the 1978 book The Basketball Diaries, and focuses on the basketball hopeful Jim Carroll (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his real life story. Jim is your everyday teenager who has a gift for both basketball as well as poetry. The high school basketball team is one of the best in the state and Jim is being scouted to play college basketball. Although Jim and his friends live for the game they all seem to be displeased with their school and basketball coach and are showing a curiosity for their inner city world.

As the story follows the lives of Jim, Pedro (James Madio) and Mickey (Mark Wahlberg) it is evident just how quickly the lives of curious teenagers can change and fall apart. When Jim and his buddies get together with a couple of young ladies they are introduced to the interesting and destructive world of drug use. It doesn't take long for them to become overtaken by heroin thus beginning the downward spiral of their lives. Scott Kalvert does an exceptional job of not only showing us the reality that becomes of their lives but he uses creative cinematography to make it happen.

The boys discover that to support their addiction they will need cash. The reality of this situation and what the boys do is quite real and sad. They start with robbing elderly women and eventually move to breaking into businesses. Eventually robbery doesn't pay the bills so Jim turns to prostitution to get just enough for his next high. The film doesn't cut any corners as it takes the viewer along on Jim's destructive journey.

Jim ends up getting thrown out on the street by his mom (Lorraine Bracco) when she realizes that he is out of control. With nowhere to go Jim's mental and physical abilities take a drastic turn for the worse. Jim hits his low when he is found lying unconscious in the snow on a neighborhood basketball court where he is rescued by an old friend named Reggie (Ernie Hudson) who takes him in during his detoxification. Jim's journey through detox is quite long and detailed as Kalvert attempted to show just how real the process is. Although the majority of the film is depressing there is a slight ray of hope at the end when we discover Jim turned his life around and now speaks of his journey.

The film does an exceptional job detailing the life of Jim Carroll and his complete journey through drug use. Some might argue that the message of "drugs are bad" is a bit too in your face in this film but remember the experiences are detailed right from Jims experiences. This film would be a good one to watch with older teenagers to start a discussion about the realities of drug use. Leonardo DiCaprio is exceptional in The Basketball Diaries and the film was a great launching pad for the acting success that was to follow.

watch full movie here   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmevMlaIZ5Y