Semi-Tough – directed by Michael Ritchie – comedy/satire of two pro-football players in romantic convolutions with the owner’s daughter — 107 minutes color 1977.
* * * * *
A perfect comedy, better than it was when it was released. Focussed on the off-center, scenes do not start where you would expect, nor end where you would suppose. Actors do not play in accord with commonly held strictures of how a Hollywood comedy should be performed. The story revolves around the friendship of three best-friend housemates, two of whom are pro football players and the third the daughter of the owner of the team. All goes well until one of them, Kris Kristofferson, takes up with the human-potential movement and becomes so dull you could strangle yourself. At which point the female of the trio falls in love with him. To side-swipe him, Burt Reynolds, a master-hand at this, subjects himself to the merciless Lotte Lenya as Ida Rolfe and to The Training. The young woman’s father is played by the mighty Robert Preston. who is the cheapskate owner of the team and who is the reluctant bankroll for this the third wedding of his daughter. Is she worth this trouble? You bet she is. For she is played by the entrancing and richly accomplished Jill Clayburgh, who gives us a performance of perfect comic spontaneity and ease — and she is pretty as all get out. Credit goes to everyone involved, particularly to Walter Scott Herndon for Production Design, Charles Rosher Jr. for filming it, Walter Bernstein and Michael Ritchie for writing it, Ritchie for masterfully directing it, and for background music, to that master of the banal, Gene Autry. It has not aged, it’s improved with time. Don’t miss it.
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