Possibly the best Kevin Costner Baseball Film

Rating: 7/10 (23 September 2006)

First of all, I still don't know why this film is called "Bull Durham". The team they play for is called the Durham Bulls, but if there's some meaning to bull durham, I'm not familiar with it. So that really confused me.
Second, this may be Kevin Costner's best baseball movie. I really enjoyed "Field of Dreams" a lot, but this one seemed to have more spirit to it. I guess it depends what you want... Tim Robbins co-starring or Ray Liotta.
Otherwise, a great film. Kevin Costner is Crash Davis, a catcher who has spent way too many years in the minor leagues. He is training Nuke (Tim Robbins), a pitcher with a lot of potential. And then there's Susan Sarandon, who creates a love triangle when she enters their relationship, claiming sex with her can create a better ball player.
Tim Robbins has consistently made great movies, even disposable stuff like "Nothing to Lose". And Kevin Costner is an epic actor (which can get on some people's nerves at times). So their interaction is both wonderful and grand, even though there's nothing new about baseball movies or older people teaching the new guy.
Susan Sarandon was the worst part of the film. She could have been removed entirely. Why Nuke is attracted to her is unknown ,because she's like Skeletor. And then why is Crash Davis attracted to her, when she's slept with most of the guys on the team? Old, ugly and promiscuous... I don't get it. And as the film goes on, her part gets bigger and bigger. And since she does the voice-overs, I almost wonder if this is her story disguised as a baseball film.
There were many scenes that are quite memorable... and I really liked the bull that gives you a free steak.
But in the end, after all the fun is over, the sadness sinks in. We realize Kevin Costner will never go anywhere. Maybe he'll fall in love and have kids. Maybe he'll be in the minor leagues forever. But he can never get back to the majors... he is the tragic and fallen hero seeking redemption through Nuke. I won't wax philosophic about that more than I already have, but his character is very deep when really considered.
Don't let the boring box cover or Susan Sarandon scare you off. This one is a home run.