Summary:
Film adaptation of street tough Jim Carroll's epistle about his kaleidoscopic free fall into the harrowing world of drug addiction. 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.
| Runtime: | 102 min |
|---|---|
| Rating: | Rated R for graphic depiction of drug addiction with related strong violence,sexuality and language. |
| Production: | New Line Cinema |
| Genres: | Biography, Drama, Sport, Crime |
| Country: | USA |
| Language: | English |
| Home Release Date: | Jun 30, 1998 |
| Director | Credit |
|---|---|
| Scott Kalvert | Director |
| Writer | Credit |
|---|---|
| Bryan Goluboff | Screenplay |
| Jim Carroll | Novel |
| Principal Cast | Credit |
|---|---|
| Leonardo DiCaprio | Jim Carroll |
| Lorraine Bracco | Jim's Mother |
| Cast | Credit |
|---|---|
| Alexander Chaplin | Bobo |
| Ben Jorgensen | Tommy |
| Bruno Kirby | Swifty |
| James Madio | Pedro |
| Jimmy Papiris | Iggy |
| Josh Mostel | Counterman |
| Juliette Lewis | Diane Moody |
| Marilyn Sokol | Chanting Woman |
| Mark Wahlberg | Mickey |
| Nick Gaetani | Referee #1 |
| Patrick McGaw | Neutron |
| Roy Cooper | Father McNulty |
| Vincent Pastore | Construction Worker |
| Producer | Credit |
|---|---|
| Chris Blackwell | Executive Producer |
| Dan Genetti | Executive Producer |
| John Bard Manulis | Producer |
| Kathie Hersch | Line Producer |
| Liz Heller | Producer |
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