i just saw this movie tonight ( 5th nov. 2005 ) for the first time . i want to watch it cause i saw the basketball diary ( leonardo di caprio ) and love that but this be far more heavy go . i think it have a good depiction of drug to an extent . i empathize mostly with nick stahls character and probably because if i someone i be crazy about be on that stuff i would want to help them get off it . a promising student and athlete who spend all his time training and study well it understandable that he would want to try teenage life ( the crazy side of it ) and in his effort a what begin be help his friend he end up addicted because he want to see what it be all about and because of his horrendous family situation which result in his most tragic death . a truly sad film but one flaw i notice be that you do not get a good enough insight into the damage it do to family but apart from that and excellent performance on a truly heartbreaking movie .