Bull Durham

Bull Durham has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in Australia on Amazon Prime Video, and in the US on Amazon Prime Video and MUBI. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. With 683 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Kevin Costner is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Put it on tonight on Amazon Prime Video and see for yourself.

Bull Durham arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The jokes in Bull Durham land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Veteran catcher Crash Davis is brought to the minor league Durham Bulls to help their up and coming pitching prospect, "Nuke" Laloosh. Their relationship gets off to a rocky start and is further complicated when baseball groupie Annie Savoy sets her sights on the two men. Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon lead a cast that never overplays a joke. Bull Durham came out in 1988. Bull Durham earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, Bull Durham respects your intelligence. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Kevin Costner sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.