Twisted Love on the Field

Semi-Tough is a 1977 comedy film directed by Michael Ritchie and based on the novel of the same name by Dan Jenkins. The film follows the story of professional football players Billy Clyde Puckett (played by Burt Reynolds) and Shake Tiller (played by Kris Kristofferson), who are best friends and teammates on a team owned by eccentric billionaire Big Ed Bookman (played by Robert Preston). Big Ed's daughter, Barbara Jane Bookman (played by Jill Clayburgh), is also a close friend of Billy and Shake.

The three friends have a seemingly carefree and fun-loving relationship, but complications arise when Billy and Shake both develop romantic feelings for Barbara Jane. This creates tension and jealousy between the two friends, as they try to navigate their feelings for the same woman while maintaining their friendship.

Amidst the romantic entanglements, the three characters also navigate the pressures and challenges of professional football, including the cutthroat nature of the sport and the demands of their larger-than-life boss, Big Ed.

As the story unfolds, the characters grapple with their feelings for each other, the expectations of their careers, and the complexities of their relationships. The film explores themes of love, friendship, and the pursuit of happiness in the midst of competing desires and societal pressures.