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"The Basketball Diaries"
movie poster. |
"Film adaptation of street tough Jim Carroll's (Leonardo DiCaprio) epistle about 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 (Michael Imperioli) who is dying of leukemia, a coach ("Swifty"), played byBruno Kirby, who takes unacceptable liberties with the boys on his team, teenage sexual angst, and an unhealthy appetite for heroin -- all of these 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 (Lorraine Bracco) mounting concern for her son. He can't go home and his only escape from the reality of the streets is heroin for which he steals, robs and prostitutes himself. Only with the help of Reggie (Ernie Hudson), an older neighborhood friend with whom Jim "picked up a game" now and then, is he able to begin the long journey back to sanity." Written by Mark Fleetwood (Link below.)
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Leonardo DiCaprio (L)
and Ernie Hudson. |
This movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Bruno Kirby, Ernie Hudson, andLorraine Bracco as Jim Carroll's mother. I think everyone did an extraordinary job in their parts. I like how the movie was more realistic, it wasn't about how cool the drugged up scenes looked, but more about how screwed up he got.
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Leonardo DiCaprio (L)
and Mark Wahlberg. |
I really enjoyed this movie. I would love to read the book. It was sad, but very interesting and ultimately rewarding. If they showed dirtier movies like this in high schools, a lot more people wouldn't do drugs. I doubt too many would want to prostitute themselves just to get a high, if people realized that's what they might become if they start. Or maybe they would do it for a while and then realize something was wrong before it got real bad. Here's to hoping.
But anyway, I recommend this movie as a coming of age story and for those who are aficionados of Leonardo DiCaprio's career. A very good performance by him in this film. Very promising actor, as we all know now.
Favorite Lines:
Jim Carroll: [Is continuously getting hit by the Father's cane. The bell rings and the Father stops hitting him] Too bad, Father. I was just beginning to enjoy it.
Father McNulty: We can do it again tomorrow if you like, Mr. Carroll.
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Juliette Lewis (L) and
Leonardo DiCaprio. |
Jim Carroll: First, it's a Saturday night thing when you feel cool like a gangster or a rockstar- just something to kill the boredom, you know? They call it a chippie, a small habit. It feels so good, you start doing it on Tuesdays... then Thursdays... then it's got you. Every wise ass punk on the block says it won't happen to them, but it does.
Jim's Mother: Idle time is the devil's play thing.
Reggie Porter: Hey white boy! Are you ready for your beatin'?
Jim Carroll: Don't let your mouth get you into something your ass can't handle.
Jim Carroll: Time sure flies when you're young and jerking off.
Jim Carroll: You're growing up. And rain sort of remains on the branches of a tree that will someday rule the Earth. And it's good that there is rain. It clears the month of your sorry rainbow expressions, and it clears the streets of the silent armies... so we can dance.
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Leonardo DiCaprio
as Jim Carroll. |
Jim Carroll: Just my own naked self and the stars breathing down, it's beautiful.
Jim Carroll: I felt dazed, like I just came out of a 4 hour movie I didn't understand.
Jim Carroll: You gotta have presence on the court. Presence like a cheetah rather than a chimp. Sure, they both got it, but Chimpy gotta jump his nuts around to get it. The shy cheetah moves with total nonchalance, stickin' it to them in his sexy, slow strut. Me? I play like a cheetah.
