7.3
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The Basketball Diaries fingerprint
High energy, strong craft, no humor.
Energy
Tense and violent
- Tension7
- Violence7
- Fast Pace6
Heart
Deeply moving and melancholic
Much of it is about growing up.
- Pathos9
- Coming of Age9
- Melancholy8
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay3
- Cringe Humor2
- Dark Humor1
World
Growing up, the mind, and everyday modern life
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion8
- Dialogue Centrality8
- Rewatchability5
Craft
Standout performances, characters, and direction
- Acting10
- Character Depth9
- Direction8
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography7
- Editing7
- Music Composition6
Energy
HighTense and violent
The Basketball Diaries is tense and violent.
All energy traits
- Tension7Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Violence7Physical conflict and intensity.
- Fast Pace6Quick tempo and momentum.
- Adrenaline4High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Spectacle3Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Scare0Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Bleakness9Grim, stark outlooks.
Heart
LowDeeply moving and melancholic
Much of it is about growing up.
Emotionally, it's deeply moving and melancholic. Much of it is about growing up.
All heart traits
- Pathos9Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Coming of Age9Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Melancholy8Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Family Dynamics5Relationships and generational ties.
- Catharsis3Emotional release and payoff.
- Romance1Love stories and emotional connections.
- Hopefulness1Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Nostalgia1Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Wholesome0Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Wonder0Awe, discovery, and amazement.
Related traits
- Bleakness9Grim, stark outlooks.
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
Humor
NoneA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay3Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Cringe Humor2Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Dark Humor1Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Situational Comedy0Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy0Slapstick and visual gags.
- Absurdist Humor0Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Satire & Parody0Sharp critique and playful imitation.
World
MediumGrowing up, the mind, and everyday modern life
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around growing up, the mind, and everyday modern life. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability5Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty3Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity2Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Psychological9Inner worlds and mind games.
- Contemporary Realism8Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Biographical8Lives of notable figures.
- Social Commentary8Perspectives on society and norms.
- Crime6Heists, investigation, and underworld.
- Sports6Competition, training, and teamwork.
Craft
HighStandout performances, characters, and direction
The performances, characters, and direction stand out.
All craft traits
- Acting10Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Direction8Vision and command behind the camera.
- Dialogue Quality8Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Intrigue7Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Complexity5Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative0Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Fast Pace6Quick tempo and momentum.
Style
MediumFunctional look and sound
The look and sound stay functional.
All style traits
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition6Score and musical identity.
- Sound Centrality6Sound design as core element.
- Music Centrality5The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Visual Stylization3Distinctive aesthetic signature.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchThought-Provoking
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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
The true story of the death of innocence and the birth of an artist.
A high school basketball player’s life turns upside down after free-falling into the harrowing world of drug addiction.
Gritty DramaAddiction NarrativeBiographicalComing-of-AgePsychological DescentUrban RealismBleak & PowerfulIntense PerformancesSocial Commentary
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Related Movies and Shows
Overall: Similar vibe.
Movies
Shows
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about The Basketball Diaries
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Basketball Diaries worth watching?
60
DecentGoodWatch scoreOpinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 60/100 (IMDb 7.3, Rotten Tomatoes 46%, and Metacritic 46). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Basketball Diaries rated?
RViolenceStrong languageDrug useSexual contentDisturbing imagery
It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, drug use, sexual content, and disturbing imagery.
How long is The Basketball Diaries?
1 h 42 min
The Basketball Diaries runs 1 h 42 min.
Is The Basketball Diaries based on a true story?
Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Basketball Diaries?
Critics46
Audiences75
Not quite. Audiences rate The Basketball Diaries higher (75) than critics (46). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.
Was The Basketball Diaries a box office hit?
Budget$2 million
Box office$2 million
Roughly broke even. It cost about $2 million to make and earned $2 million worldwide, 1.2 times its budget.
What language is The Basketball Diaries in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
What tropes does The Basketball Diaries use?
Caught with Your Pants DownDescent into AddictionCue the RainBittersweet EndingKarma HoudiniHooker with a Heart of GoldFourth Wall PsychFauxlosophic NarrationBig "NO!"Badass LongcoatDisappeared DadRed Filter of Doomand 17 more
TV Tropes lists 29 storytelling tropes for The Basketball Diaries, including Caught with Your Pants Down, Descent into Addiction, Cue the Rain.