 | |
List Price: $9.99 | | Label: Walt Disney Video
Salesrank: 1713
Released: March 4, 2003 |
| Our Price: $4.16 |
| Used Price: $1.59 |
|
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
|
Editorial Review:
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.
Description of The Ref:
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
The Ref Reviews:
Best. Xmas. Movie. Ever. 
2009-11-25 - Sick of all those syrupy, sweet Christmas movies about going home for the holidays? Me too. This movie is the antidote. Yes, there is a quasi-happy ending, but in between you have witty dialog, fabulous acting and dark, sarcastic humor that no other holiday movie approaches. Along with "A Christmas Story," "The Ref" is one of the new holiday "classics" for my generation.
A Real Classic
2009-09-28 - This movie is one of the older ones, but it still has class. It is really exciting and funny clear through the begining to the end. If you need a laugh right now, I would recommend this movie for you.
Hlilariously funny!
2009-09-19 - Denis Leary is unexpedidly funny in this movie - hoping for a sequel.
Lohn
The Ref a terrific ride
2009-09-18 - This movie is a lot of fun! There is profanity, but if you can get past this, you may very well enjoy this film, as it is full of zany characters & plot twists.
DVD
2009-09-14 - Purchased for disbled brother. Quick shipment, great price. Would purchase other movies in the future. He loved the movie...
