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Product Details
Synopsis: Based on the autobiographical journals of poet Jim Carroll, "Basketball Diaries" follows the descent of a Catholic high school student from star basketball player to drug addict. Jim and his friends roam the streets of New York City as goof-offs, petty thieves, and junkies. Expelled from school for using drugs before a game, Jim is also thrown out of his house and takes up street hustling. A pre-superstardom DiCaprio gives a strong performance in this gritty and uncompromising look at being young and streetwise.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Lorraine Bracco
Supporting actors: Marilyn Sokol, James Madio, Patrick McGaw, Mark Wahlberg, Roy Cooper, Vincent Pastore, Bruno Kirby, Jimmy Papiris, Nick Gaetani, Alexander Chaplin, Ben Jorgensen, Josh Mostel, Juliette Lewis, Michael Imperioli, Akiko Ashley, Ernie Hudson, Manny Alfaro, Cynthia Daniel, Brittany Daniel, Eric Betts
Directed by: Scott Kalvert
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, Sport
Runtime: 1 hour 43 minutes
Studio: New Line Cinema
MPAA Rating: Rated R for graphic depiction of drug addiction with related strong violence,sexuality and language.
ASIN: B001GPNXRA
Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,874 in Amazon Video On Demand (See Bestsellers in Amazon Video On Demand)

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#39 in  Amazon Video On Demand > Movies > Drama > Biographical Drama
Rights & Requirements
Rental rights: 24 hour viewing period, play online or download to one location. Details
Compatible with: Mac and PC online viewing, Windows PC download, TiVo DVRs, Sony BRAVIA Internet Video Link, Roku player. System requirements
Format: Amazon Video on Demand (streaming online video and digital download)
Also available on DVD

The Basketball Diaries DVD ~ Leonardo DiCaprio

4.3 out of 5 stars (117) $12.49
Theatrical Release Information
  • MPAA: Rated R for graphic depiction of drug addiction with related strong violence,sexuality and language.
  • Production Company: New Line Cinema, Island Pictures
  • Filming Locations: Forest Hills High School, Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, New York, USA | New York City, New York, USA
Video Format Details

Online Viewing

PC Download

TiVo box
View instantly from any PC or Mac with a broadband connection
Ready to watch in about 40 minutes*
Ready to watch in about 50 minutes*
* Your download times may vary--estimates shown are for a typical DSL connection (1.5 Mbits/sec). Rental videos cannot be transferred to a portable device.

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Customer Reviews

117 Reviews
5 star:
 (78)
4 star:
 (18)
3 star:
 (7)
2 star:
 (6)
1 star:
 (8)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (117 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Hardhitting Film Based on a True Life Story, January 31, 2000
This review is from: Basketball Diaries / Movie [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Director Scott Kalvert creates a moving and realistic recount of the true story of Jim Carroll, played superbly by Leonardo DiCaprio, a New York City teen who at the height of his high school basketball career, falls victim to drugs and violence in the rough streets.

Look for the real-life Jim Carroll who makes a cameo appearance as a crack addict in the scene where young Jim sitting in a back alley listening to the addict preach about his "high" while boiling his fix.

Fine supporting performances by the entire cast and a musical score including original songs performed by Jim Carroll's band. Especially memorable is the acid-rock message song: "These Are All the People Who've Died" which is a tribute to Jim's fallen friends throughout his life.

The serious messages in this film SCREAM out at teens, but also are sombering to adults who realize the sometimes hopeless devastation that wracks a family during a drug crisis. Your heart breaks for Jim's mom and his mentor, an African American ex-druggie who cleaned up and wants nothing more than to help Jim out of his living hell before it consumes him.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Tragic, intense, and frightfully scary.., June 6, 2006
This review is from: The Basketball Diaries (DVD)
This movie was gripping from the start to finish. I loved how it opened- a bunch of kids who obviously have minds of their own- getting high off of some household cleaner or something, skipping school, ripping off hot dog carts.. and you think this all seems crazy but then ultimately all the hard core drug usage starts and while at first it may seem like nothing but a small enjoyable thing to do- it soon is a huge habit for Jim.

Watching all the struggles Jim has to go through- loosing friends, trying to be clean & then failing, prostitution, begging for money, getting into physical fights.. - it is hard to watch and you physically can't believe that someone can go through so much and come out victorious in the end.

Leonardo plays this role FANTASTICALLY. Especially the part when he is crying at the door begging for some money from his mother. The amount of passion he pours into this character is huge... for that reason alone- go see this movie.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An emotional, disturbing portrayl of drugs and teens, July 8, 2005
By Moviebuff "Brian" (Lemont, IL USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Basketball Diaries (DVD)
I must admit this movie really had a huge effect on me. After watching this, I thought to myself, "How could anyone do drugs like this?" The look of this film matches the tone of it, which is a dark, gritty feel of the streets of Brooklyn during the 1960's.

This movie basically takes a real life teenager and throws him down the wrong paths in life. You can really see Leonardo DiCaprio's character grow more and more addicted to all these drugs. Physically, you can see his body become worse and worse as he becomes more plugged into the drug culture as nights go by.

I have a whole new appreciation for Leo DiCaprio. He was only 20 years old when this was made and you can tell, this young kid can act like a pro.

This film as a very indy-film look to it which seems to add to its realism unlike if it were a major Hollywood motion picture. So, if you want to see an emotional, tearjerking view of innocence crumbling into nothing, this one will suck you in.
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 		 Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars This 'bomb' didn't explode
This just can't be me alone! I could not finish this disjointed, boring, bad acting mistake called a movie. I like Leo, but bought it for Mark Walberg. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Peter A. Gemmer

5.0 out of 5 stars satisfied
received in time. did not watch yet. But LEo is really a kid in this movie :)
Published 1 month ago by Mariia Byba

5.0 out of 5 stars PAINFUL to Watch But Truly BRILLIANT !!!!
Leonardo DiCaprio takes us on a journey into the agonies of a teenager on the worst path possible. This movie descends into the depths of depravity and sadness. Read more
Published 2 months ago by MB Silver

5.0 out of 5 stars DiCAPRIO - UNBELIEVABLE PERFORMANCE!!!
After Jim Carroll passed away this past week, I finally watched this movie. I was totally blown away by Leonardo DiCaprio's performance as Carroll. Read more
Published 3 months ago by S. Clarke

5.0 out of 5 stars quick and as stated
A reality story. Reality about the disease of addiction. Excellent acting and incredible story line. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Lila Brendel

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, why else would I be buying it?
I watched this movie many years ago. I knew who Jim Carroll was long before I ever heard of The Basketball Diaries. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Tamatha H. Mcspadden

4.0 out of 5 stars I felt dazed, like I just came out of a 4 hour movie I didn't understand
Shortly before he died of a drug overdose River Phoenix was asked what he was going to do next. He took a dog eared copy of The Basketball Diaries out of his pocket and said he... Read more
Published 13 months ago by C. CRADDOCK

2.0 out of 5 stars So-so drug story.
The Basketball Diaries starring Leonardo DiCaprio is a good film about drug abuse but this coming of age drama left me disappointed. Read more
Published 17 months ago by ADRIENNE MILLER

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Look into Delinquent Behavior
This movie sums up - in a nice little package - how delinquent behavior can manifest itself into crimes. Read more
Published 18 months ago by J. Lo.

4.0 out of 5 stars REALISTIC
THIS FILM WAS SHOWN TO PEOPLE IN EARLY RECOVERY. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS REALISTIC AND GAVE A VERY GOOD SCENARIO OF RESULTS.
Published 22 months ago by James W. Moesch

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