Review of The Basketball Diaries (1995) by Chris E — 19 Apr 2010

This powerful story of a teenagers slip into drug addiction is at times quite harrowing but with superb performance from Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role this is a film that wears its heart on its sleeve. Scott Kalvert brilliantly depicts the life of Jim Carroll as he and his basketball team friends cope with life and death. Watching this film now knowing the success Leonardo would achieve in major film roles its here you see the raw talent of his acting.

Support cast are superb too from Mark Walhberg to Lorraine Bracco who plays Jim's mother, who is devastated by her sons demise.