Bull Durham

1988 Comedy Drama

A blend of comedy, drama and romance, Bull Durham follows the intertwining of three lives brought together by the great American pastime. Crash Davis (Kevin Costner, showcasing his Midwestern charm) is a perennial Minor Leaguer assigned to the Durham Bulls, a hapless team with a long tradition of mediocrity. There he tutors a young, dim-witted pitching prodigy, Nuke LaLoosh (Tim Robbins) in the ways of baseball, life, and love. Each strikes up a romance with Annie (Susan Sarandon), the team's "mascot" who takes it upon herself to sleep with a new player every season. Each has his/her own conflict: Crash struggles to end his career with some measure of dignity; Nuke struggles to make it to the "big show"; and Annie struggles to find something more than a roll in the hay -- and of course, Crash and Nuke come into conflict over Annie's affections to further complicate matters. The film treats the sport of baseball with a sort of casual reverence, highlighting both the drama and the humor inherent in the game, illustrated by Annie's numerous references to baseball as "her religion." more..

Director: Ron Shelton

Starring: Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon,Tim Robbins, Trey Wilson,Robert Wuhl

Reviews

  • Though his film is like no other baseball movie, it may remind you of Paul Newman's hockey comedy Slap Shot: a knowing look at sport's underbelly - punctuated by jelly-belly laughs.

    Mike Clark - USA Today

    19 January 2013

  • It's just that when a movie is this close, with so much of the sports flavor (co-producer Thom Mount is co-owner of the real Durham Bulls), you like to see it perfect.

    Sheila Benson - Los Angeles Times

    19 January 2013

  • It eases up on you, lazy as a cloud, and carries you off in a mood of exquisite delight. To borrow W.P. Kinsella's phrase, it has the thrill of the grass.

    - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

  • A treasure of a movie because it knows so much about baseball and so little about love.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    19 January 2013

  • You may catch yourself trying to remember where you parked a little before the end.

    Desson Thomson - The Washington Post

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

    Academy Awards (1989)

     
  • Michael Convertino

    BMI Film & TV Awards (1989)

  • Best Actress

    Boston Society of Film Critics Awards (1989)

  • Best Original Song - Motion Picture

    Golden Globes (1989)

     
  • Best Screenplay

    Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards (1988)