The Ref

The Ref


Starring:Denis Leary, Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey, Robert J. Steinmiller Jr., Glynis Johns, Raymond J. Barry, Richard Bright, Christine Baranski, Adam LeFevre, Phillip Nicoll, Ellie Raab, Bill Raymond, John Scurti, Jim Turner, Herbie Ade, Ron Gabriel, Scott Walker (IX), Edward Saxon, Donna Holgate, Kenneth Utt
Director: Ted Demme
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
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.
The Ref
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • must see
  • A Must See!!
  • Hysterical...
  • The Ref
  • Best christmas movie of all time
 The Ref
Starring: Denis Leary , Judy Davis , Kevin Spacey , Robert J. Steinmiller Jr. , and Glynis Johns
Director: Ted Demme
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
Black ComedyBlack Comedy | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
Family GatheringsFamily Gatherings | By Theme | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Crime | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video
Baranski, ChristineBaranski, Christine | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Barry, Raymond JBarry, Raymond J | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Bright, RichardBright, Richard | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Davis, JudyDavis, Judy | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Johns, GlynisJohns, Glynis | ( J ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Leary, DenisLeary, Denis | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Lefevre, AdamLefevre, Adam | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Raymond, BillRaymond, Bill | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Spacey, KevinSpacey, Kevin | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Demme, TedDemme, Ted | ( D ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( R )( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. Home for the Holidays
  2. Denis Leary
  3. Trapped in Paradise
  4. Mixed Nuts
  5. Scrooged

ASIN: B00008977D
Release Date: 2003-03-04

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:

5 out of 5 stars must see.......2007-05-24

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

5 out of 5 stars 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!

5 out of 5 stars 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!

5 out of 5 stars The Ref.......2007-01-16

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

5 out of 5 stars Best christmas movie of all time.......2007-01-07

Love it more than any other christmas movie out there. Great acting and VERY funny. Wonderfull movie!
The Ref [Region 2]
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • must see
  • A Must See!!
  • Hysterical...
  • The Ref
  • Best christmas movie of all time
 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

GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
Baranski, ChristineBaranski, Christine | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Barry, Raymond JBarry, Raymond J | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Bright, RichardBright, Richard | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Davis, JudyDavis, Judy | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Johns, GlynisJohns, Glynis | ( J ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Leary, DenisLeary, Denis | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Lefevre, AdamLefevre, Adam | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Raymond, BillRaymond, Bill | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Spacey, KevinSpacey, Kevin | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Demme, TedDemme, Ted | ( D ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
( R )( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:
  1. Home for the Holidays
  2. Denis Leary
  3. Trapped in Paradise
  4. Mixed Nuts
  5. Scrooged

ASIN: B0001KZNBU

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

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars must see.......2007-05-24

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

5 out of 5 stars 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!

5 out of 5 stars 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!

5 out of 5 stars The Ref.......2007-01-16

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

5 out of 5 stars Best christmas movie of all time.......2007-01-07

Love it more than any other christmas movie out there. Great acting and VERY funny. Wonderfull movie!

DVD:

  1. Mr. Hulot's Holiday - Criterion Collection
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  3. Young Einstein
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  5. National Lampoon's European Vacation
  6. The Santa Clause 2 - The Mrs. Clause (Widescreen Edition)
  7. The Three Stooges: Curly Classics
  8. Lover Come Back
  9. Daddy & Them
  10. Almost Famous Untitled - The Bootleg Cut (Director's Edition)

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