Review of The Basketball Diaries (1995) by Steve M — 22 Aug 2010

The Basketball Diaries is a rather underrated autobiography drama film that goes into depth about american teenage drug abuse. It stars "leonardo Dicaprio" and "Mark Walhberg" when they were in their teens and its probably one of the first movies they were on.

Both of their characters originally dreamed of becoming proffesional basketball players for the NBA and played for their highschool team. Leo's character also was good at writing poetry. However they both got caught up in herion and other narcotics which took over their dream. They became so addictaed that they could hardly focus when playing bball.

Things got real bad and them two and their other mate left school and home and started living on the streets constantly feining for herion and all types of drugs. The acting from all three is extrmemly realistic every aspect of being on class A drugs and addiction is displayed very well and it's actually one of the best premfromaces ive ever seen from "Leanardo" he was even real good as a teen.

The Author that wrote this story is actually the guy that Leo's character was based on after going through all of this he ended up switching his life around and becoming a great writer and poet. The directing on this is pretty average and I guess the story is not the most exciting but the perfromaces really are some of the most realistic when it comes to acting on drugs. It's a very interesting and touching movie.

It for some reason has a rotten rating on RT from he "top film critics" or whatever, I guess this isnt for everyone and maybe hard to watch for some veiwers it's pretty dramatic but well done. I liked it alot and I would reccomend it too all just dont expect the best movie ever or anything.