Bull Durham – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Bull Durham

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1988

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Beloved baseball rom-com with sharp dialogue and lots of sex—this one's for the adults.

7/10

97%

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Bull Durham

movie

R, 1988

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Beloved baseball rom-com with sharp dialogue and lots of sex—this one's for the adults.

97%

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7/10

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Screenwise Verdict

Bull Durham is a genuinely good movie—sharp, funny, well-acted, and beloved by critics and audiences alike. Kevin Costner is magnetic, the baseball details are spot-on, and the dialogue crackles.

But let's be clear: this is an adult film with explicit sexual content woven throughout. It's not a coming-of-age sports story your teen can watch. The entire plot revolves around a woman who picks a player each season to sleep with and "educate." There are extended sex scenes, constant sexual banter, and mature relationship dynamics.

For parents of baseball-loving kids: I know the 97% Rotten Tomatoes score is tempting, but save this one for when they're actually 17+. The 1988 pacing also means it might feel slow to teens raised on Marvel movies.

For adults? It holds up beautifully as a smart, sexy sports romance with real heart.

Age Fit

This is for adults and older teens (17+) only. The sexual content is explicit and central to the plot, not just background. Even baseball-obsessed 14-year-olds should wait a few years.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is an adult romantic comedy with significant sexual content throughout. The entire premise centers on a woman who has affairs with minor-league players each season, and the film includes extended sex scenes, sexual dialogue, and mature relationship dynamics. While the baseball mentorship angle has some wholesome elements, the overall tone is decidedly adult and not emotionally appropriate for younger viewers.

Imaginative

Bull Durham brought fresh, witty energy to the sports movie genre in 1988, blending baseball with romance in a way that felt original. The dialogue is sharp and clever, the characters are well-drawn, and it captures minor-league baseball culture with specificity and humor. However, it's not particularly imaginative in inviting viewer creativity or exploration—it's a character-driven comedy-drama that you watch, not interact with.

Safe

Multiple extended sex scenes, frequent strong language, sexual dialogue throughout, and adult themes make this clearly inappropriate for children. Common Sense Media rates it for age 17+. The sexual content is explicit enough to be uncomfortable if watched unexpectedly with family. IMDb parents guide notes significant sexual content and profanity. This is firmly R-rated territory.

Enriching

For adults and older teens, there's genuine insight here about mentorship, aging, ambition, and relationships. The baseball culture is depicted authentically, and the film has smart things to say about passion versus pragmatism. Kevin Costner's veteran catcher teaching Tim Robbins' hotshot pitcher has real depth. But the entertainment value is heavily tied to adult romantic and sexual themes, limiting its broader enrichment potential.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Critically acclaimed (97% on Rotten Tomatoes) with genuinely witty, quotable dialogue
Kevin Costner at his charismatic peak, capturing the bittersweet reality of aging athletes
Authentic minor-league baseball culture—if you love the game, this nails the vibe
Smart exploration of mentorship, ambition, and what happens when talent meets experience
Susan Sarandon brings intelligence and agency to what could've been a one-note role

⚠

What to Watch For

Multiple explicit sex scenes—this is not a family movie night pick
Frequent strong language and sexual dialogue throughout
The entire premise is about a woman having seasonal affairs with baseball players
1980s pacing feels slow compared to modern comedies—your teen might find it draggy

Conversation Starters

"What do you think Crash sees in Annie that makes her different from other relationships?"
"Why does Nuke need a mentor like Crash? What makes a good teacher?"
"The movie shows how talent alone isn't enough—what else matters in sports or any career?"
"How does the film portray aging and knowing when your time is up?"

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