Semi-Tough is at its best in its first hour, playing as a genial buddy comedy with Burt Reynolds experiencing a midlife crisis about his love life and masculinity. Then this makes the odd decision an hour in to spoof self-help programs as Jill Clayburgh questions if she loves fiance Kris Kristofferson or Reynolds. It's still an oddly amiable film through all this, but it's wildly unfocused, coasting on its stars' likability.
