The Basketball Diaries

Leonardo Dicaprio as Jim Carroll

Mark Whalberg as Mickey

James Medio as Pedro

Bruno Kirby as Swifty

The Basketball Diaries is based on the true story of Jim Carroll.  A normal teenager who get's caught up in drugs and ruins everything it has going for him.  He get's kicked off the basketball team,and gets suspended from school,not to mention getting kicked out of his house.  This interesting,rough story takes us through that time in his life,and shows us how he redeems it.

You really have to feel for Dicaprio's character in this film.  When he is forced to lay off of the drugs he goes through an incredible withdrawal,and man does he put emotion into it.  Whalberg's character never grows up,he is a huge hard ass and doesn't like to take anything from anybody;especially from their friend Pedro.

There are so many people now-a-days that are extreme drug addicts,and this film really put it in perspective of what happens when they do get addicted,which was great.  Leoanardo Dicaprio plays an academy award worthy performance. 

Life in the city is rough,and what a great job in showing a struggling teenage life in it.  The temtations such as prostitution,and drugs were very vividly shown here.

All-in all,a great true story with great performances make The Basketball Diaries earn a medal.