» The Basketball Diaries

» Synopsis

An autobiographical account of poet and rock musician Jim Carroll's delinquent high school years, during which he excelled playing basketball for a boy's club team, meanwhile hustling to support his growing heroin addiction.

» Information

Director: Scott Kalvert Writers: Jim Carroll (novel), Bryan Goluboff (screenplay) Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio ... Jim Carroll Mark Wahlberg ... Mickey Juliette Lewis ... Diane Moody Toby Huss ... Kenny Michael Rapaport ... Skinhead Lorraine Bracco ... Jim s Mother Marilyn Sokol (II) ... Chanting Woman James Madio (II) ... Pedro Patrick McGaw ... Neutron Roy Cooper ... Father McNulty Vinnie Patore ... Construction Worker Bruno Kirby ... Swifty Jimmy Papiris ... Iggy Nick Gaetani ... Referee No 1 Alexander Gaberman ... Bobo Ben Jorgensen (II) ... Tommy Josh Mostel ... Counterman Michael Imperioli ... Bobby Akiko Ashley ... Stripper Ernie Hudson ... Reggie Manny Alfaro ... Manny Released on: 21 April 1995

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After being nominated for an Oscar for Running on Empty (1988), MTV asked River Phoenix what he wanted to do next. He responded by pulling out a beat up paperback of "The Basketball Diaries" and stated "I wanted to play Jim Carroll." Later, the Los Angeles Times declared, "River Phoenix may have wanted it too much." Leonardo DiCaprio was a fan of Phoenix's.

Many links to The Sopranos - Lorraine Bracco (Dr Melfi) plays Jim's mom. Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti) plays the friend who dies of Leukemia. Vincent Pastore (Big Pussy) is the guy that gets spat on whilst on the ferry.