Semi-Tough

Director Michael Ritchie, takes on American professional football and instant-revelation movements (such as "est"). Burt Reynolds portrays Billy Clyde Puckett of the Miami Bucks football team who lives in a platonic threesome with teammate Shake Tiller (Kris Kristofferson) and Barbara Jane Bookman (Jill Clayburgh). Billy, on the surface a highly "macho" guy, wants to settle down, write a book and marry Barbara Jane. He tells the romantically very aloof Barbara Jane, who has an eye for Shake, that this is all due to the teachings of "Pyramid Power," under the direction of Friedrich Bismark (Bert Convy). Billy and the other players on the team were instructed to take the motivational course by the team's owner, Big Ed Bookman. There is also the "big" game and the moment at the wedding when Shake and Barbara Jane are almost wed.