The Basketball Diaries

Name: The Basketball Diaries
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport, Crime
Released: April 21, 1995
Duration: 102 min
Rating: 46
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Lorraine Bracco

1995

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 107 Ratings

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4.7

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4.7	Your Score
4.7	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 107 Ratings

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The Basketball Diaries

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Movie Details & Credits

New Line Cinema | Release Date: April 21, 1995 | R

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Lorraine Bracco

Summary: An adapation of Jim Carroll's memoirs of his decent from basketball star to heroin addict while in high school.

Director: Scott Kalvert

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Sport, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 102 min

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Critic Reviews

James Berardinelli

The tale related here isn't all that original, but the honest presentation lends impact to a wrenching scenario. Read full review

Peter Travers

[Kalvert] best serves the movie by simply focusing on DiCaprio, who communicates the spirit and blunt truth of the diaries even when the movie keeps trying to soften the blow. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

It's an energetic, watchable mess. Read full review

John Petrakis

It's more of a pastiche, a montage of brutality, a slow descent into Dante's Inferno until we reach the subbasement of a boy's soul. [21 Apr 1995]

David Sterritt

The results are more sleazy than insightful. Read full review

Janet Maslin

The star shines, but the movie is hard to watch. Read full review

Joe Brown

There's little momentum, no real story line, just Carroll's tediously inevitable descent from low to lowest. Read full review

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User Reviews

bjfisher02

Jan 22, 2011

Was not sure what to expect coming into the movie but was very pleased with it. Young Leonardo DiCaprio was as good as he was in Inception. Mark Wahlberg did not get very much recognition for the film, I actually did not even know he was in it until the credits rolled, but did an equallyWas not sure what to expect coming into the movie but was very pleased with it. Young Leonardo DiCaprio was as good as he was in Inception. Mark Wahlberg did not get very much recognition for the film, I actually did not even know he was in it until the credits rolled, but did an equally astounding job. Basketball Diaries was mos definitely edgy pushing the limits. A fine addition for DiCaprio lovers and movie collectors.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Matti53

Nov 10, 2020

Most underrated movie maybe just because people hating on Leo... 9 out of 10 A movie that really shocked me in my teenage years
Must see!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MrPajamas

Oct 17, 2022

For me, an absolute blast. I knew I was going to like this one, and I damn well did. I love movies like this, where the hero is on top at the beginning and then gradually goes down. I just like darker themes like that and I enjoyed this one a lot. Drugs are evil, and perhaps Requiem for aFor me, an absolute blast. I knew I was going to like this one, and I damn well did. I love movies like this, where the hero is on top at the beginning and then gradually goes down. I just like darker themes like that and I enjoyed this one a lot. Drugs are evil, and perhaps Requiem for a Dream said it best, but I thought it was of a very high standard here as well. The fact that this is a story based on a true story helped a lot. I think fans of the drug theme can easily go for this film. For me, an amazing film and a great performance by DiCaprio by the way. Some scenes were really breathtaking in my opinion.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Casper0416

Mar 30, 2018

Ortalama bir filmdi. Di Caprio oyunuculu her filmde olduğu gibi bu filmde güzeldi.Filmin senaryosu ve çkeimleri daha iyi olabilirdi.Filmin müzikleri güzeldi ama neden kısık sesle verildi genelde. Müzik kullanım yerlerini de pek beğenmedim. Müzikleri daha etkili kullana bilirlerdi.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEROJ

Jan 25, 2018

A movie where you can see both - how much harm drugs deal to young people. And how great was Leonardo DiCaprio in his teenage years. Based on a true story.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

CineAutoctono

Jun 27, 2016

"The Basketball Diaries" was a good movie but also very frustrating , first by the title , that is focusing the life of Jim Carroll and Leonardo DiCaprio did his job , besides the story speaks only of young drug addicts pranksters and not they became talented basketball players , but beyond"The Basketball Diaries" was a good movie but also very frustrating , first by the title , that is focusing the life of Jim Carroll and Leonardo DiCaprio did his job , besides the story speaks only of young drug addicts pranksters and not they became talented basketball players , but beyond that the tone was good .… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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59	#59 Most Discussed Movie of 1995
37	#37 Most Shared Movie of 1995