Watch Bull Durham

Bull Durham is a sports romantic comedy-drama film that was released in 1988. It is directed by Ron Shelton and stars Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins. The film is set in Durham, North Carolina, and follows the story of minor league baseball player Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh (Robbins) and his career under the guidance of veteran catcher Crash Davis (Costner) and Annie Savoy (Sarandon), a local baseball groupie who selects one player each season to be her lover and to "educate."

At the beginning of the film, Nuke is a talented but immature pitcher who throws hard but lacks control. Crash is a 12-year minor league veteran who has been called up to Durham to mentor Nuke and help him prepare for the majors. While Nuke struggles on the field and in his personal life, Annie sees in him an opportunity to fulfill her yearly contract with baseball by teaching him everything she knows about the game and life.

As the season progresses, Nuke begins to improve under Crash's guidance, but he still struggles to control his fastball. Off the field, Nuke and Annie begin a relationship, but things become complicated when Crash also begins to take an interest in Annie.

The film captures the essence of minor league baseball, including the seedy motels, low pay, long bus rides, and uncivilized playing fields. It also touches on the timeless themes of love, jealousy, and redemption. The character development of all three main characters is superb and the on-screen chemistry between the triangle is palpable. Sarandon delivers one of her most memorable performances as Annie, the seasoned groupie who has more in common with Crash than Nuke.

Bull Durham is a film that transcends the sports genre to become a classic American romance that depicts baseball as both an escape and a way of life. The baseball action on the field is well-presented, but it is the off-field drama that keeps the story interesting. The film is filled with humor, insight, and genuine emotion.

The movie is also responsible for introducing the world to the concept of the "chicken dance" in baseball, where players and fans do the dance to rally the team when they need a boost. The concept of the dance originated from an actual minor league team in Rochester, New York, and was incorporated into the film by Ron Shelton.

Music also plays a crucial role in the film's storytelling, with songs like "The Loveless Motel" and "Bull Durham Blues" by Michael Ruff and the iconic "Try a Little Tenderness" by Otis Redding. The soundtrack became a chart hit and is still popular today.

Bull Durham was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $50 million against a $7 million budget. The film received positive reviews from critics and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The movie has become a cult classic and is regularly ranked among the greatest sports films of all time.

In conclusion, Bull Durham is a timeless classic that showcases the best aspects of minor league baseball as well as exploring the themes of love, loyalty and redemption. The strong performances by Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins elevate the story beyond the average sports movie, and the soundtrack is still as enjoyable today as it was in 1988.

Bull Durham is a 1988 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 73.