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.

"Catholic Boys"
Written and Performed by Jim Carroll

"Dizzy"
Written by Tyler Willman, Robert Martin, Steve Ross, Daniel
Kempthorne and Mariann Braden
Performed by Green Apple Quick Step

"What A Life"
Written by Glyn Rush, Richard Whittingham and Robert McKenzie
Performed by Rockers HiFi

"Down By The Water"
Written and Performed by P. J. Harvey

"Sample: Da Bridge Beats"

"Riders on the Storm"
Written by Jim Morrison , Ray Manzarek, John Densmore and Robbie Krieger
Performed by the Doors

"People Who Died"
Written by Jim Carroll, Terrell Winn, Brian Linsley, Wayne Woods, Steve Linsley
Performed by the Jim Carroll Band

"Dancing Barefoot"
Ivan Kral
Performed by Johnette Napolitano "Strawberry Wine"
Written by Paul DiBartolo and Adam Flax
Performed by Massive Internal Complications

"Coming Right Along"
Written by Jim Auer and Ken Stringfellow
Performed by The Posies

"Blind Dogs"
Performed by Soundgarten"Star"
Written by Ian Astbury and William Duffy
Performed by The Cult

"I've Been Down"
Written and Performed by Flea

Basketball Trailer Music
Crazy by Seal