Necessary Roughness

PG-13

Released Sep 27, 1991

1 hr. 48 min.

Comedy

List

35%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

47%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Tasked with overhauling a university football team that was dismantled for breaking collegiate rules, coaches Wally Riggendorf (Robert Loggia) and Ed Gennero (Héctor Elizondo) pick unusual new players like junior professor Andre Krimm (Sinbad) and 30-something quarterback Paul Blake (Scott Bakula). As Paul courts professor Suzanne Carter (Harley Jane Kozak), the team struggles until the arrival of a female placekicker, who bolsters the squad as it gets ready to challenge its big rival.

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Critics Consensus

This likeable, goofy football comedy has its moments, but it ultimately adheres too closely to the sports movie playbook to overcome the cliches in the script.

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Aaron L

Perhaps the worst movie ever made.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/08/23

Full Review

StephenPaul C

LOL, the funniest 01 hour: and 48 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/16/23

Full Review

Cyrus K

This is a blatant rip off of major league.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/08/23

Full Review

sandra a

Not the most original, but likable characters, good acting, lots of fun.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

jordan m

This did test my firm belief that there has never been an underdog sports movie made that I didn't or wouldn't like, as this one had all the worst parts of that genre (predictability and too much screentime given to scenes not set on the ball field) in spades and didn't have as much of its best parts (believably unbeatable antagonists, intriguing action sequences, skill-related character arcs) as it would've needed to be a real classic. It remains an enjoyable movie to watch in surprisingly large part thanks to Schneider, whose commentary both provides comedic relief and keeps the plot moving. Retrospectively I wish I'd paid more attention to Bateman's character; while he's sort of inconsequential in this movie, he's one of my favorite actors and I didn't recognize him this young!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

steve d

Only somewhat amusing.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Stan Dragoti

Director

Scott Bakula

Paul Blake

Héctor Elizondo

Coach Ed Gennero

Robert Loggia

Coach Wally Rig

Harley Jane Kozak

Dr. Suzanne Carter

Larry Miller

Dean Phillip Elias

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Necessary Roughness: Official Clip - Bar Brawl

2:03

Necessary Roughness: Official Clip - Samurai Football

0:58

Necessary Roughness: Official Clip - Lucy Joins the Team

2:07

Necessary Roughness: Official Clip - Lucy Gets the Shower

1:14

Necessary Roughness: Official Clip - Welcome to Football

1:43

Necessary Roughness: Official Clip - Wally's Pep Talk

0:45

Necessary Roughness: Official Clip - Going for the Win

2:08

Necessary Roughness: Official Clip - Taking out the Dean

0:49

Necessary Roughness: Official Clip - Andre's a Vegetarian

0:40

Necessary Roughness: Official Clip - The Big Whistle

1:34

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John Hartl

Seattle Times

For every sharp one-liner about a pampered college football team that's "so corrupt it could use its yearbook photos as mug shots," there's a brain-numbing plot development that's straight out of a desperate sitcom.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 24, 2014

Full Review

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

The film itself is a genial, slight, entirely predictable football comedy, but it serves Bakula well.

Jan 24, 2014

Full Review

Jay Boyar

Orlando Sentinel

As they say in football, pass.

Rated: 1/5

Jan 24, 2014

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Although each cliché makes its regular, and chronological appearance, the actors are good, and the rapid pace doesn't give you any time to yawn. [Full review in Spanish]

Jun 20, 2023

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

There's little doubt that Necessary Roughness ultimately fares a whole lot better than one might've initially anticipated...

Rated: 3/4

Feb 11, 2020

Full Review

Andrea Beach

Common Sense Media

Awful '90s football story with hard hits, profanity, cliches

Rated: 1/5

May 19, 2015

Full Review

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Synopsis

Tasked with overhauling a university football team that was dismantled for breaking collegiate rules, coaches Wally Riggendorf (Robert Loggia) and Ed Gennero (Héctor Elizondo) pick unusual new players like junior professor Andre Krimm (Sinbad) and 30-something quarterback Paul Blake (Scott Bakula). As Paul courts professor Suzanne Carter (Harley Jane Kozak), the team struggles until the arrival of a female placekicker, who bolsters the squad as it gets ready to challenge its big rival.

Director: Stan Dragoti
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 27, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.6M
Sound Mix: Surround

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