Watch Necessary Roughness

Necessary Roughness is a 1991 sports comedy film directed by Stan Dragoti, starring Scott Bakula, Hector Elizondo, and Robert Loggia. The movie is a story of a college football team that has been stripped of scholarships and players due to NCAA rules violations. The team is heavily relying on a new coach, who has been tasked to build a team from scratch to compete in the upcoming football season.

The movie opens with a familiar sight of a college campus with students hanging out, throwing footballs around and generally enjoying themselves. However, there is one group of students who are not happy - the college football players. They learn that their team has been stripped of scholarships and players due to NCAA rules violations. This causes a major setback for the football program as they cannot compete at the same level as other teams anymore.

The college President, who is also a football fan, hires Coach Ed "Straight Arrow" Generro (Hector Elizondo) to oversee the program's initiation back into a normal football team. Coach Generro is a no-nonsense, strict, and stern disciplinarian who rules with an iron fist. He is tasked with recruiting and assembling a team from scratch to compete in the upcoming football season.

One of the people Coach Generro recruits is a former star high school quarterback, Paul Blake (Scott Bakula), who is now studying at the same college. Paul had given up football a few years back and had concentrated on his academics. However, Coach Generro convinces Paul to come out of retirement and lead the team as their quarterback. The rest of the team is made up of some unlikely football players, including an ROTC student, a basketball player, a wrestler, and a bookish student who had no idea how to play football.

As the newly formed team progresses, they face numerous struggles. From outright rejection to being bullied, they work hard to get their act together, develop individual skills, and learn to play as a team. With tenacity and dedication, they work their way up to the top of the football league. They are soon faced with their strongest opponents, the Texas Colts, and the game is set to be the ultimate test of their hard work and spirit.

The movie is a classic underdog story of a team that, against all odds, comes out on top. It is a heartwarming sports comedy that offers an insightful glimpse into the world of college football. The film has a timeless appeal due to its theme of team spirit, underdog motivation, and leadership that can inspire people to achieve more in life.

Scott Bakula delivers a charming performance as Paul Blake, the reluctant quarterback turned team leader. He is complemented by an equally strong supporting cast, including Hector Elizondo as Coach Generro, whose stoic and no-nonsense approach is balanced by humor and humanity. Robert Loggia is entertaining as the aging kicker and former professional football player, whose love for the game is infectious.

The movie's pacing is excellent, and despite being a comedy, it maintains a sense of seriousness and suspense that enhances the overall viewing experience. The football sequences are shot beautifully and come to life with thrilling action and visuals.

In conclusion, Necessary Roughness is one of the most enjoyable sports comedies of all time. It is a movie that can appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds due to its heartwarming story, engaging characters, and top-notch performances. It is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys a good story of determination, hard work, and triumph over adversity.

Necessary Roughness is a 1991 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 45.