The Ref
by Ted Demme
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Denis Leary, Glynis Johns, Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey, Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.Director: Ted Demme
Brand: BUENA VISTA HOME VIDEO
Producer: Don Simpson
Producer: Jeffrey Weiss
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer
Producer: Richard LaGravenese
Writer: Richard LaGravenese
Producer: Ronald M. Bozman
Writer: Marie Weiss
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 93 minutes
Published: 2003-03-01
DVD Release Date: 2003-03-04
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Movie Reviews of The Ref
Movie Review: ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES EVER MADE WITH OUT A DOUBT
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Summary of The Ref
Synopsis: 0Item Type: DVD Movie
Item Rating: R
Street Date: 05/04/04
Wide Screen: no
Director Cut: no
Special Edition: no
LanguageENGLISH
Foreign Film: no
Subtitlesno
Dubbed: no
Full Frame: no
Re-Release: no
Packaging: Sleeve Please note: This supplier will be closed on 11/24, 11/25, 12/26, 1/2 for the holidays. The shipping cut off is 12/10 to try and have the products delivered by Christmas.
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