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.
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 Rating:
Summary: ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES EVER MADE WITH OUT A DOUBT
Comment: THE REF

I truly believe that this is possibly one of the funniest movies ever made or at least one of the funniest Christmas related films to ever be released, no scratch that it is one of the funniest movies ever made. And since the holidays just passed I decided it was time for another Christmas related review, this one here though is a film for every time of the year since it is so funny. Everything from the writing to the acting to the direction is pure perfection; this team should have come together more often and delivered more of these films. I remember the first time I had seen this was at my Aunt's house in Austin, I was visiting Texas at the time coming from Maryland and she popped it in. I had always liked Denis Leary so I knew I would enjoy this film, but I didn't expect to end up likening it so much that I went out and bought my own copy the next day.

It is a simple of enough story in that it is all about a cat burglar [Leary] that is hiding out from the local police after a job goes bad, that is literally what the movie is about. What makes things all the more interesting is that he happens to end up hiding out with and taking hostage a married couple on the rocks that really seem to hate each other with a passion. And if that wasn't bad enough for him it just so happens to be Christmas so the entire family is coming over and they hate each other just as much as the couple. Add in a career criminal son who is on the way home from military school and you have all the makings of one of the funniest films to ever be produced.

Denis Leary is absolutely perfect and in his element all through out this film as Gus, his wit and delivery for every line is incredible. This is probably the best film he has ever done or at the very least one of the best the man has been a part of. I was a fan of his from his stand up but this movie made me love the man's skills. Kevin Spacey is brilliant as Lloyd the underachieving momma's boy who is constantly at battle with his wife Caroline. Speaking of which, Judy Davis is just as good as his wife and holds her own with both of the lead actors with ease. She and Kevin going at it about her infidelities and him giving up everything are priceless, especially when they are driving the person who has them hostage crazy. If the film would have just had these three in it, it still would have been a classic in my eyes. These three make for one on the best on screen teams I have had the pleasure of seeing, they need to do more.

The supporting cast is just as good and entertaining take Robert Steinmiller Jr. for instance who plays the couples son Jesse. Talk about a kid who would have been right at home with Macaulay Culkin on "Home Alone". The kid actually blackmails his drill instructor from military school before he goes home for Christmas; he gets a lot of cash. J. K. Simmons by the way was wonderful in that part as the instructor. Also top notch performances are given by Raymond J. Barry as the lead cop, [these are the rest of the family] Christine Baranski as Connie, Adam LeFevre as Gary, Phillip Nicoll as John, Ellie Raab as Mary, and by B.D. Wong as the marriage counselor. But Glynis Johns almost steals the show as the matriarch of the family; she is responsible for Gus delivering my favorite line of the film when she is being tied up. Richard Bright is excellent as well in this film as Murray; he is just as funny as the rest.

Director Ted Demme keeps things going at a lively pace and things never seem to get boring or slow, in fact once it is over you are left wanting more because it was so good. Still all credit should not go to the director because the film was written by Marie Weiss and Richard LaGravenese and the delivered one hundred percent with this film. Their writing is quick and witty and full of comedy, what a great combination. Producers Don Simpson {R.I.P.} and Jerry Bruckheimer sure did know how to get the right comedies done together, The Ref, Bad Boys, and the first 2 Beverly Hill Cop films. The two really had a good eye for these types of films.

Normally I would say when reviewing something that this might not be for everybody, but I happen to think that this time everyone could enjoy this film as much as I did. It has a wonderful cast and crew behind it who knew what they wanted and got the job done. If you are looking for a really funny movie at any time of the year, I recommend this one.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The Ref
Comment: This is my favorite Christmas movie. If you need a good laugh for Christmas, this is it. This is not for kids though. Denis Leary is Denis Leary,great. Kevin Spacey plays his part like he lives it. I loved it when he took the poker to the tree, it was great. Buy this movie, you'll watch it over & over.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Long time favorite
Comment: This is a re-purchase of the same movie because over the years we have watched it so many times the DVD just didn't work right anymore. It is one of our favorites and has us in stitches even after seeing it so many times.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Dennis Leary has outdone himself!
Comment: For some disfunctional holiday fun get this movie. The cast is brilliant as is the script. I love Dennis Leary and Kevin Spacy who continually had me laughing through the entire flick.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Best Christmas movie ever
Comment: This is a classic! Its my pick for a christmas movie, I never let a year go by without watching it!

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