Review of The Basketball Diaries (1995) by Derek H — 12 Feb 2012

Not as much basketball in the film except in the beginning and DiCaprio, while a good actor, is not a basketball player. Still, a good film about drug abuse and what it could lead to. Jim Carroll's story is very inspiring and this film did excellent in portraying all the highs (no pun intended) and lows that Jim and his friends went through during his adolescence.

If the basketball scenes were better, I would have given this film a higher rating. However, DiCaprio was growing into his own as an actor and while this does not compare to his role as Arnie Grape, you could see the flashes of brilliance in this film.

Solid film with a young Mark Wahlberg who was not horrible here. Definitely worth seeing.