Bull Durham
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
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.
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.
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.
A treasure of a movie because it knows so much about baseball and so little about love.
You may catch yourself trying to remember where you parked a little before the end.
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)
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