Semi-Tough

R

1977

1h 48m

Comedy

List

83%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

33%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

Billy Clyde Puckett (Burt Reynolds) and Marvin "Shake" Tiller (Kris Kristofferson) are professional football players who share a lush Miami apartment with Barbara Jane Bookman (Jill Clayburgh), the pretty young daughter of their team's owner (Robert Preston). When Barbara develops feelings for Shake and the two begin a relationship, he insists that she join him at B.E.A.T., a New Age training program run by the shady Friedrich Bismark (Bert Convy).

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Gary Arnold

Washington Post

Well supplied with both raunchy humor and star appeal, particularly in the person of Burt Reynolds, the film seems certain to become a crowd-pleaser.

Aug 22, 2016

Full Review

Richard Schickel

TIME Magazine

Semi-Tough may or may not turn out to be the year's best comedy -- there's Annie Hall to remember and Mel Brooks yet to be heard from -- but it is without a doubt the year's most socially useful film.

Aug 22, 2016

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Semi-Tough begins as a bawdy and lively romantic comedy about slap happy pro football players, then slows down to a too-inside putdown of contemporary self-help programs.

Jan 25, 2008

Full Review

Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

Fans of the book found the adaptation treasonous, but others were beguiled by the offbeat rhythms and an airy, almost European approach to such a distinctly American game.

May 20, 2022

Full Review

David Dugas

United Press International

Reynolds, Kristofferson and Clayburgh all perform to standard but somehow never quite connect.

Aug 5, 2021

Full Review

Kathey Clarey

Fresno Bee

Semi-Tough has a lot of bite beneath its funny raunchy surface.

Aug 5, 2021

Full Review

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Audience Member

The film parodied football and self-help, it touches on everything from the life of a pro football team on the road, to the self-help movements of the '70s, and to the nature of love and friendship Also a great example of the kind of movies that populated that decade: funny and serious at the same time, not afraid to brush up against big ideas, and designed as an entertainment for adults This became a gentle critique of the fad of spiritual self-improvement that was then enveloping the country Are intellectuals the jocks of the mind? The movie also plays to the two strengths that director Ritchie would display throughout his career: sports films and comedies And it combines '70s-appropriate cynicism about institutions – religion, self-help, even football – with a deep belief in humanity I just thought this was ok but it offers a spoofing image of the sport during this era

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/18/23

Full Review

Joseph P

This is a great send up of the crazy EST movement in the 1970's. An underappreciated film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/07/22

Full Review

delysid d

this movie is very tough to watch

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/11/22

Full Review

uncle p

Story/Screenplay: (2.5/5) A romantic comedy that wasn't particularly romantic nor funny. Duration/Tempo: (2/5) At 1 hour and 48 minutes, it's an average length movie that felt very long. Cast & Crew: (3/5) Burt Reynolds, Kris Kristofferson, and Jill Clayburgh were all likable, but I just didn't see much chemistry between them. Summary: (2.5/5) The story and cast were only OK and the film felt long. A thumbs down.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I think this movie is entertaining and enjoy watching it all the time. It's a movie that requires no thinking. It just provides laughs which is all you need sometimes. I think Brian Dennehy is hilarious.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Football players fall for same woman in this predictable romance.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

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Michael Ritchie

Director

Burt Reynolds

Billy Clyde Puckett

Kris Kristofferson

Marvin `Shake' Tiller

Jill Clayburgh

Barbara Jane Bookman

Robert Preston

Big Ed Bookman

Bert Convy

Friedrich Bismark

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Semi-Tough: Official Clip - A Great Respect for One Another

2:44

Semi-Tough: Official Clip - Crawlin' and Creepin' With Big Ed

3:25

Semi-Tough: Official Clip - I Don't

3:03

Semi-Tough: Official Clip - Big Women Have Big Feelings

2:08

Semi-Tough: Official Clip - The Jocks of the Mind

2:55

Semi-Tough: Official Clip - Shake to the Rescue

2:28

Semi-Tough: Official Clip - Bathroom Visitors

2:48

Semi-Tough: Official Clip - Deodorant Commercial

2:33

Semi-Tough: Official Clip - Superbowl Win

1:25

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Synopsis

Billy Clyde Puckett (Burt Reynolds) and Marvin "Shake" Tiller (Kris Kristofferson) are professional football players who share a lush Miami apartment with Barbara Jane Bookman (Jill Clayburgh), the pretty young daughter of their team's owner (Robert Preston). When Barbara develops feelings for Shake and the two begin a relationship, he insists that she join him at B.E.A.T., a New Age training program run by the shady Friedrich Bismark (Bert Convy).

Director: Michael Ritchie
Producer: David Merrick
Screenwriter: Walter Bernstein
Production Co: Charley Associates
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 1h 48m

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