Director: Scott Kalvert
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg and Lorraine Bracco
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors that gained fame years ago are as beloved as Leonardo DiCaprio. Following the 1990’s, DiCaprio has proven to be an icon. Whether it’s destructive lovers, departed cops or Wall Street stockbrokers, DiCaprio has played countless compelling characters. Arguably, DiCaprio’s strength as an actor has often been his commitment to craft. He is a one of a kind actor which has poured both heart and soul into every role. Through ability to portray strong characters that are compelling, DiCaprio has created a legacy that is lasting. An actor with a strong commitment toward his craft, DiCaprio has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Throughout a lasting career, DiCaprio has produced several memorable movies which are absolutely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of DiCaprio and adore films he has made in his career. However, “The Basketball Diaries” remains my favourite. Released in 1995, Scott Kalvert’s movie offered a powerful portrait of teenage drug addiction. Passed with strong production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about addiction. At the centre of it all is a superb performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who embodies a teen drug addict facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “The Basketball Diaries” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies about addiction, it discusses powerful themes everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about addiction, there are several strong reasons why “The Basketball Diaries” is a movie that’s worth watching.
“The Basketball Diaries” tells the story of a teen basketball player that endures severe drug addiction causing adversity. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jim Carroll, a teen basketball player that has dreams of building a bright future. Carroll has always had huge dreams of becoming a big athlete that’s successful. However, Caroll’s life forever changed when he becomes a victim of drug addiction that causes disaster. Free-falling into the intense world of drug addiction, Caroll is forced to question whether it’s possible to overcome life tension. As all the odds soon become stacked against his favour, Carroll is soon forced to wonder whether it’s possible for him to possibly become a famed basketball player.
Scott Kalvert is a newcomer towards stories of drug addiction. Before he had made “The Basketball Diaries”, Kalvert had never made a movie about dangers of drug addiction. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt capturing the lives of teenage basketball players with drug addiction that face adversities but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Kalvert captures a teenage drug addict that embarks upon a perilous journey. Emulating John Hughes’ “The Breakfast Club”, Kalvert effectively uses montages to capture tense hardships teen drug addicts are facing. For instance, montages elevate the substance abuse scene. During this memorable scene, Carroll engages in an incident of drug abuse with his friends causing tension. Using bold montages, Kalvert constructs a portrayal of drug addiction that’s compelling. Montages are tricky techniques. As James Cameron’s “Titanic” claimed, montages often enhance disaster films about shipwrecks. However, it works immensely in this movie. Using strong visuals, Kalvert captures tensions that drug addicts are facing.
Another strong aspect of “The Basketball Diaries” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Evoking Herbert Ross’ “Footloose”, Kalvert uses costumes to capture adolescents which engage in substance use. Throughout the movie, Carroll’s costumes showcase his strong transformation into an adolescent drug addict. For instance, the costumes elevate the gangs fight scene. During this unforgettable scene, Carroll has a tense fight with gang causing tension. Through stunning costumes, Kalvert constructs a portrait of drug abuse which is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Graeme Revell’s music contributes toward the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that addicts bear. Through strong production, Kalvert constructs a compelling portrait of drug addiction.
Stored is one of the main reasons why “The Basketball Diaries” is a film about addiction that’s engaging. The film is extremely well- written, and expertly uses silence to capture tensions drug addicts experience. Emulating Darren Aronofsky’s “Requiem for a Dream”, Kalvert uses silence to capture tensions of drug addicts struggling to achieve a dream. For instance, silence elevates the bad drug arrests scene. During this heartfelt scene, Carroll faces tension when he’s caught by police abusing drugs. Through sequences of silence, Kalvert creates a portrait of drug addiction that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” suggested, silence enhances science fiction films about dreams. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using a powerful screenplay, Kalvert captures drug addicts facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Leonardo DiCaprio delivers one of his best performances as Jim Carroll. DiCaprio first earned appreciation for playing doomed lovers facing stress in disaster movies. With “The Basketball Diaries”, however, DiCaprio took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a teen drug addict experiencing adversity but he succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and vulnerable in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures bravery, grief and resentments faced by a teen drug addict. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most celebrated actors that’s working in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for DiCaprio, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of appreciation. Mark Wahlberg is marvellous, capturing the dark obstacles faced by a teen drug addict that strives to leave a mark. Lorraine Bracco is brilliant, capturing sorrow of a mother struggling to cope with her son’s drug addiction causing life to hit a low. Lastly, James Madio merits appreciation.
Finally. “The Basketball Diaries” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing drug addicts facing adversities. Unlike most movies about drug addiction, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. It tackles powerful themes including ambition, mental health and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of basketball to appreciate it. Therefore, “The Basketball Diaries” is one of those rare films about drug addiction that everyone would adore.
Fans of Leonardo DiCaprio would absolutely enjoy “The Basketball Diaries” and so would movie-goers seeking strong entertainment. A riveting drug addiction drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic movie about teen basketball players facing drug addiction, it’s a bold reminder of an actor with strong dedication that built a strong reputation playing compelling heroes in unforgettable movies which are definitely worthy of appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 