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. The film is an adaptation of poet and memoirist Jim Carroll's juvenile diaries chronichling his kaleidoscopic free-fall into the harrowing world of drug addiction. As a member of a seemingly unbeatable high school basketball squad, Jim's life centers around the basketball court and the court becomes a metaphor for the world in his mind. A best friend who is dying... of leukemia, a coach who takes unacceptable liberties with the boys on his team, teenage sexual angst, and an appetite for heroin all begin to encroach on young Jim's dream of becoming a basketball star. Soon, the dark streets of New York become a refuge from his mother's mounting concern for her son. He cannot go home and his only escape from the reality of the streets is heroin for which he steals, robs and prostitutes himself.
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| Release date: | April 21, 1995 |
| Directed by: | Scott Kalvert |
| Rated: |  |
| Runtime: | 102 Minutes |
| Producer: | Liz Heller, John Bard Manulis |
| Editor: | Dana Congdon |
| Music by: | Graeme Revell |
| Cinematography: | David Phillips |
| Screenplay by: | Bryan Goluboff |
| Adapted from: | The Basketball Diaries |
| Genre: | Biography |