The Basketball Diaries
The Basketball Diaries
Ohjaus:
Scott KalvertKäsikirjoitus:
Bryan GoluboffKuvaus:
David PhillipsSävellys:
Graeme RevellNäyttelijät:
Leonardo DiCaprio, Lorraine Bracco, James Madio, Patrick McGaw, Mark Wahlberg, Roy Cooper, Bruno Kirby, Josh Mostel, Juliette Lewis (lisää)Juonikuvaukset(1)
As a member of a seemingly unbeatable high school basketball squad, Jim's life centers around the basketball court and the court becomes a metaphor for the world in his mind. A best friend who is dying of leukemia, a coach ("Swifty") who takes unacceptable liberties with the boys on his team, teenage sexual angst, and an unhealthy appetite for heroin -- all of these begin to encroach on young Jim's dream of becoming a basketball star. Soon, the dark streets of New York become a refuge from his mother's mounting concern for her son. He can't go home and his only escape from the reality of the streets is heroin for which he steals, robs and prostitutes himself. Only with the help of Reggie, an older neighborhood friend with whom Jim "picked up a game" now and then, is he able to begin the long journey back to sanity. (jakelijan virallinen teksti)
(lisää)Arvostelut (2)
A fascinating performance by DiCaprio in a legendary 1990s drug teen romp that's very open, gritty and authentic for its time, but retains that teenage playfulness and optimism. A brilliantly balanced and at times respectably shocking probe into New York's drug dens. A film that should be shown to a generation of teenagers, so that they know what to prepare for if they want to experiment.
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Despite the high ratings, I naively thought it would be just another routine sports drama, of which the proud Americans produce several every year. I couldn’t have been further from the truth. While drug addiction and its effects have been dissected from all angles, from Boyle's experimental Trainspotting to the harsh reality of Requiem for a Dream, The Basketball Diaries has a lot to say in this regard and manages to dig deep under the skin. And the biggest credit for this goes to the heroic performance of a young DiCaprio, who handled his difficult role in such style that I couldn't stop staring. As much as I didn't like him after Titanic and Gangs of New York, lately I have to admit that he’s one of the most talented actors of our time. The simplicity of the story may be misleading, but in this case it's the strongest clue in order to get as attached to the film as possible and to acknowledge that something like this can happen to anyone. Some may see in this film only Hollywood pathos and exaggerated gloss, but it doesn't detract from its quality. 80%
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