The Basketball Diaries
Not currently available on any streaming platform
A high school basketball player’s life turns upside down after free-falling into the harrowing world of drug addiction.
What critics thought
DivisiveMixed on release and still divisive today, The Basketball Diaries wins more loyalty from general audiences than it ever did from critics. DiCaprio's performance draws consistent admiration, but reviewers found the film unable to decide whether it was a personal memoir, a cautionary tale, or a performance piece — and that uncertainty undercuts the whole.
“We can't tell if this is supposed to be genuine testimony or a performance. That's the problem with the whole movie.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
Genres
Drama, Crime
Cast & Crew
Scott KalvertDirector
Leonardo DiCaprioJim Carroll
Bruno KirbySwifty
Lorraine BraccoJim's Mother
Ernie HudsonReggie
Patrick McGawNeutron
James MadioPedro
Mark WahlbergMickey
Barton HeymanConfessional Priest
Roy CooperFather McNulty
Michael ImperioliBobby
Juliette LewisDiane Moody
Manny AlfaroManny
Graeme RevellComposer
Jim CarrollWriterThe Basketball Diaries
A high school basketball player’s life turns upside down after free-falling into the harrowing world of drug addiction.
What critics thought
DivisiveMixed on release and still divisive today, The Basketball Diaries wins more loyalty from general audiences than it ever did from critics. DiCaprio's performance draws consistent admiration, but reviewers found the film unable to decide whether it was a personal memoir, a cautionary tale, or a performance piece — and that uncertainty undercuts the whole.
“We can't tell if this is supposed to be genuine testimony or a performance. That's the problem with the whole movie.”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
Genres
Drama, Crime
Cast & Crew
Scott KalvertDirectorLeonardo DiCaprioJim CarrollBruno KirbySwiftyLorraine BraccoJim's MotherErnie HudsonReggiePatrick McGawNeutronJames MadioPedroMark WahlbergMickeyBarton HeymanConfessional PriestRoy CooperFather McNultyMichael ImperioliBobbyJuliette LewisDiane MoodyManny AlfaroMannyGraeme RevellComposerJim CarrollWriterNot currently available on any streaming platform