Review of The Basketball Diaries (1995) by Pamela F — 19 Apr 2008
Very preachey. The story is basically everything you'd expect from an anti-dugs film, with virtually no exceptions.
The sub plot about Bobby, the kid with Leukemia is far too sentimental and also very preachey.
As is often noted with the film not many people actually know who Jim Carroll is, so this just becomes another run of the mill "don't do drugs" films, and in itself it certainly is run of the mill.
However, seeing Leonardo DiCaprio this young and playing such a potentially heavy role is interesting and he certainly manages to pull it off. He is an often under rated actor, and I think it's because he choses to do second rate films, put he still manages to prove himself as a developed performer.
Worth watching for an insight into DiCaprio as an actor, but almost worthless as a film, head for Requiem For A Dream, for a far better experience.
This review of The Basketball Diaries (1995) was written by Pamela F on 19 Apr 2008.
The Basketball Diaries has generally received positive reviews.
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