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.
Produced by: Island Pictures / New Line Cinema
Certification: USA:R / UK:18 / Germany:12 (bw)/ Norway:15 / Sweden:15
Language: English
Genre/keyword: Drama / teen / manhattan / addiction / basketball / drugs /new-york / youth / based on-novel/ based-on-true-story /biographical / heroin / catholic
Runtime: USA:102 / UK:100
Sound Mix: DTS / Dolby Digital
MPAA reasons: Rated R for graphic depiction of drug addiction with related strong violence,sexuality and language.
Directed by Scott Kalvert
Cast (in credits order)
Leonardo DiCaprio ....Jim Carroll
Bruno Kirby .... Swifty
Lorraine Bracco ....Jim's mom
Ernie Hudson .... Reggie Porter
Patrick McGaw .... Neutron
James Madio .... Pedro
Mark Wahlberg ....Mickey
This information is taken from the imdb:http://us.imdb.com