Robert Duvall’s Underrated Comedy Role in Kicking & Screaming With Will Ferrell

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Robert Duvall, a highly respected and award-winning actor, is known for dramatic roles in films like Apocalypse Now and The Godfather. However, he also appeared in comedies, including a little-known but enjoyable sports comedy with Will Ferrell in 2005. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the 1983 film Tender Mercies.

Though he’s known for serious, dramatic roles, Robert Duvall also appeared in a handful of comedies, like Secondhand Lions and Four Christmases. In 2005, he and Will Ferrell starred together in Kicking & Screaming. While critics weren’t overly impressed with the film, many consider it a hidden gem that reveals Duvall’s lighter, comedic talent.

Kicking & Screaming Is An Underrated Comedy With A Great Performance From Robert Duvall

©Universal/courtesy Everett Collection

In the movie Kicking & Screaming, Will Ferrell plays Phil Weston, a dad who reluctantly becomes the coach of his son’s soccer team. Phil had a difficult childhood because his own father, played by Robert Duvall, was very competitive and always pushed him hard. Now, Phil wants his team to win, but his competitive relationship with his father leads him to take things too far with his coaching.

The 2005 film received mixed reviews, with a 41% score on Rotten Tomatoes. While it made $55 million worldwide on a $45 million budget, it wasn’t a blockbuster. Many critics didn’t like it, but it’s often considered underrated.

What really struck me about the movie was the chemistry between Will Ferrell and Robert Duvall. They’re so different, and they played off each other brilliantly. Duvall is just perfect as the tough, demanding dad – but somehow, he never feels like a villain. You can tell he really wants to win, but underneath it all, he clearly cares about his son and grandson, even when he’s pushing them hard about sports. It’s a surprisingly heartwarming dynamic.

He shares a competitive relationship with his neighbor, Mike Ditka, a coach who led a team to Super Bowl victory. Ditka joins Phil’s team with the main goal of defeating Duvall’s character, and surprisingly provides useful advice. He also adds a lot of humor to the film, delivering some of its most memorable funny scenes.

Although Robert Duvall isn’t the main star, he plays a crucial role in understanding Phil’s actions and appears consistently throughout the movie. He’s a strong presence, but never feels truly threatening or violent. While he wasn’t Oscar-nominated for this part, it’s a role many viewers who came of age in the 2000s will remember fondly.

This feel-good and funny movie is perfect if you enjoy stories about someone overcoming the odds. You can watch it now on Netflix, and it’s a great chance to see Duvall play a more lighthearted character.

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2026-02-19 22:40