The Ref

Amazon.com essential video

Caustic wit gets a full-body workout in this 1994 comedy, in which a cat burglar (Denis Leary) gets trapped in an affluent Connecticut neighborhood and is forced to hold a bickering couple hostage on Christmas Eve, only to discover that their Yuletide spirit is anything but cheerful. Caroline (Judy Davis) and her husband, Lloyd (Kevin Spacey), have been at each other's throats for so long that they've developed domestic arguments into an art form, and the would-be kidnapper turns into a reluctant mediator, even after he's got the battling couple wound up in bungee cords. The situation grows even more complicated when the couple's smart-aleck son comes home from military school, but it's not the plot here that's a top priority. Instead it's the sheer pleasure of witnessing a three-way verbal jousting match, written with razor-sharp skill and delivered by actors who are perfect for their roles. The movie's got a dark edge, but it never gets too dark--you know that it's not going to slide into more seriously damaging territory, so you can sit back and enjoy the volleys of scathing insults and sarcasm the way you would a Don Rickles performance. If that sounds like your idea of entertainment, The Ref will serve it up with style. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Denis Leary plays an unfortunate cat burglar, who is abandonded by his partner in the middle of a heist and is forced to take an irritating Connecticut couple (Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis) hostage. He soon finds that he got more than he bargained for when the couple's blackmailing son and despicable in-laws step into the picture. Before long they're driving him nuts with their petty bickering and family problems. The only way for him to survive is to be their referee and resolve their differences before he can be nabbed by the police.

Customer Reviews:

Early Denis Leary.......2007-09-04

Totally "Denis". This is a good funny movie. Any Denis Leary fan would love to own it.

must see.......2007-05-24

great cast, one of the funniest movies I've seen in years. Never get tired of this one.

A Must See!!.......2007-04-03

This may be the funniest Christmas movie ever made! If you've never seen it, you're missing out!

Hysterical..........2007-03-24

A great holiday movie, especially if the family all hangs out for several days playing video games and watching movies like we do. Purchased this one, Home for the Holidays and Pieces of April, enjoyed them all!

The Ref.......2007-01-16

This movie is funny, we always watch it while wrapping the kids christmas presents.

Average customer rating:

The Ref

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Laser Disc

Average customer rating:

Early Denis Leary
must see
A Must See!!
Hysterical...
The Ref

The Ref [Region 2]
Starring: Denis Leary , Judy Davis , Kevin Spacey , Robert J. Steinmiller Jr. , and Glynis Johns
Director: Ted Demme
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0001KZNBU