Great Character: Annie Savoy (“Bull Durham”)
This is one of my favorite romantic comedies and in large part due to the absolutely beguiling character of Annie Savoy:
Played wonderfully by Susan Sarandon, I love the way her character is introduced in Ron Shelton’s fantastic screenplay:
ANNIE SAVOY, mid 30’s, touches up her face. Very pretty,
knowing, outwardly confident. Words flow from her Southern
lips with ease, but her view of the world crosses Southern,
National and International borders. She’s cosmic.
And cosmic she is:
ANNIE (V.O.)
I believe in the Church of
Baseball.
(beat)
I’ve tried all the major religions
and most of the minor ones — I’ve
worshipped Buddha, Allah, Brahma,
Vishnu, Siva, trees, mushrooms,
and Isadora Duncan…
I know things. For instance —
(beat)
There are 108 beads in a Catholic
rosary. And —
(beat)
There are 108 stitches in a
baseball.
(beat)
When I learned that, I gave Jesus
a chance.
(beat)
But it just didn’t work out between
us The Lord laid too much guilt
on me. I prefer metaphysics to
theology.
(beat)
You see, there’s no guilt in
baseball…and it’s never boring.
Which makes It like sex.
(beat)
There’s never been a ballplayer
slept with me who didn’t have the
best year of his career.
(beat)
Making love is like hitting a
baseball — you just got to relax
and concentrate.
That’s how she starts the movie. This is how she narrates the movie toward its ending: