The Ref
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Movie Reviews of The Ref
Movie Review: Slipper socks - Medium!
Summary: 5 Stars
Burglar Gus (Denis Leary) has a few issues. He's just been unexpectedly sprayed with cat urine. His partner still can't figure out why they took "Happy Days" off the air. Worst of all, he's managed to hijack his "(expletive) parents," or the nearest thing. The trouble is, it's Christmas Eve, not exactly a prime hostage taking time of the year. But the local cops are out in full force trying to track him down. Leaving the upper crust Connecticut town or the "ninth level of Hell" right away is too risky.
Gus's hostages, Lloyd and Caroline Chasseur (Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis) have problems, too. They have a rocky marriage and have difficulty coming to an agreement on such matters as to whether their son (Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.) is sensitive plant or a budding psychopath. The only thing they agree on is that their therapist should shut up and let them fight. You get the impression the therapist is considering doing just that.
But fighting must take a back seat to figuring out how they can host the family Christmas while still technically being held hostage by Gus. The family is currently fueling up at a diner ("Heaven knows what we'll get to eat at Aunt Caroline's.) but they're due soon enough. Their son is also arriving home from military school, where he's been running a scam of his own.
Surprisingly, the get-together is less than idyllic. The arriving cast consists of Glynis Johns, as the grandmother from hell (of whom Gus says, "I've known loan sharks who are more forgiving), the in-laws and their two children (who may need future therapy after the night is over). Gus poses as the Chasseuers' therapist, Caroline serves an authentic Scandavian dinner that includes burning headgear, and the wacky high jinks are cranked up full throttle. By the end of the evening, tears will be shed, feelings will be hurt, foreheads will narrowly avoid being singed, and several of the guests will themselves be wrapped up like holiday presents. Also, a Christmas tree gets attacked, a put-upon police chief gets his revenge, and an intoxicated neighbor dressed as Santa, helps save the day.
There are a few sweet moments where it looks possible that the characters might forgive all and hug, but the movie never descends into treacle. If you've ever longed to gift wrap your family during the holidays, "The Ref" will resonate.
Movie Review: A Real Comic Gem
Summary: 5 Stars
The Ref is a dazzling comedy of words, with sterling performances by Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey, who have fantastic "chemistry" of a couple who have bickered so long they seem to loathe each other. It is a pleasure to watch two great actors play well-written, surprisingly complex comic roles.Dennis Leary is perfectly cast as the harrassed burglar who finds himself trapped in an upper crust New England town and forced into hiding in a role that evolves into gun-toting marriage counselor to Spacey and Davis. I have watched several other of his films since catching The Ref, and none comes close to using Leary's comic delivery style so effectively. The chemistry among Davis, Spacey and Leary is pitch perfect.
Glynis Johns gives a memorably wicked performance as the "mother-in-law from hell" -- a character so self-centered and cruel, she gives Hitchcock's series of awful mothers and mothers-in-law a run for their money. An added bonus is Christine Baranski as an uptight mother of two brats in over her head in the emotional battle royale that takes place among Davis, Spacey, Leary & Johns during Christmas dinner and during the opening of presents. Further complicating the mix is Spacey and Davis' crooked and self-pitying son, home from military school (where he is a master blackmailer) in a town that suspects him of every petty crime (including stealing Baby Jesus from the town Nativity), who wants to join up with Leary's world-weary thief.
The language in this film is coarse, to say the least, but it fits the characters and situations. The opening half of the film is hysterically funny, and that's before Johns, Baranski et al make their ill-fated appearance. This is an adult comedy -- no gross out jokes, no flatulence humor and only a few off-key physical jokes involving the local Santa. Just great writing, great comic timing and great cast chemistry. The Ref is truly an overlooked comic gem that anyone (who does not object to a liberal dose of four letter words) who has watched the petty arguments of married couples, the strained drudgery of family Christmas get-togethers and the subtly poisonous relationships with in-laws, will love.
Movie Review: Ref - vs. - Beauty
Summary: 5 Stars
With so many reviews, I guess the core materials have been covered. So, into the fray! American Beauty was much hailed, but Ref, essentially an earlier concept of the same movie, went unrecognized, due to its comedic classification. The Ref utilized some of the same cast members, whose performance there, I felt, was superior. Despite the show's sometimes goofy presentation, the issues and emotions had far more depth than the later release. Too, Beauty had a preachy quality, telling you how to live your life. The Ref, doesn't really tell you how; it just says you can't control everything that happens to you - deal with it. Furthermore, Beauty had a flitty feel (perhaps a result of the repetitious musical cues), simply inhanced by one-dimensional characters, who never really connect. The Ref's characters are very similar, on a basic level; and yet, they not only connect, they clash painfully. Even the insignificant townsfolk have layers of unexplored realism. These people are forced to confront their issues, to learn and grow. Beauty's people, on the other hand, seem to drift even further into their own isolated misery, spiting the movies intended message. Leary's role in The Ref is multi fold. Primarily, he is the catalyst of change and the voice of chaos - little effort on his part. Ultimately, while his humor may have removed the film from any Oscar contentions, it also gives the viewer a much needed stress release valve. The drama there is so intense, you get the idea that this family would happily choke the life out of each other. When (like me) Leary goes off on a rant, anger is displaced with negative jocularity, creating an antithetical surrealism. It's like being comforted by the fact that your buddies laugh at you for doing something stupid. The "ref" both makes and breaks the movie. I will concede this however; had I not seen The Ref, my opinion of American Beauty would be higher. You know how it is; everything is relative - good is only good until there is something better (but in this case, better came first).Movie Review: Dennis Leary Is Amazing and Kevin Spacey Astounding!
Summary: 5 Stars
As far as Holiday films go - this is the first of over 30 Holiday movies I watch every year at this time. It is funny and witty and amazingly well performed by everyone. Some may be offended by it - but those who can take it for what it is worth it is hysterical.Dennis Leary (Ice Age, Stand Up COmic, A Bug's Life) is a small time burgler that meats his match in a home with a unique security system. That system fubbles his robbery and then leads him in frustration to meet Judy Davis (Life with Judy Garland, The Reagans, Deconstructing Harry) in a convienence store.
She plays the disgruntled wife the amazing Kevin Spacey (K-PAx, Pait Forward, American Beauty, A Bug's Life) who in himself is dissapointed in his life and marrage and more.
From there Dennis's character relazies he hijacked his Parents and all the relatives that go with it. On the road through this kidnapping all the characters learn about their lives, true feeligns and what is it to be true to each other.
Their son is also cleverly played by Robert J. Steinmiller, Jr. (The Ref, Rudy) who also learns a valuable lesson about his soon-to-be divorced parents.
Dennis, Judy and Kevin are amazing on screen. They dry humor and black comedy about real important human issues makes this fun, educational and extreemly humorous.
Coupled with the amazing performance of Chrstine Baranski (Happy Family, How The Grinch Stole Christams, The Birdcage) and the ever amazingly annoying mother-in-law played by Gylnis Johns (Marry Poppins, Superstar),
This movie has performances that shine with every cast member. No one is week, uninteresting or unbelievable. Directed by the late Ted Demme (Blow, Snith, Beautiful Girls) this has to be my favorite film of his.
Fun for the whole family (Under 13 watch with Mom and Dad)this film is fun for the Holidays. Check it out. I bought it. 11-30-03
Movie Review: Humans get frightened cuz they have feelings, didn't your alien leaders teach you that before they sent you 5 Stars
Denis Leary is one of the funniest comedians in america. He is a great actor, and he was very attractive in the ref, and his humor is unique and contagious. We all can relate to unpleasant holiday get togethers with the fam, and the mother in this movie, the grandma, is JUST LIKE my grandmother who i disowned and they act the same way and say the same rude and haneous things even at the dinner tables and during the holidays. AND my grandma also has money and uses it against everyone as a threat. So I and am sure many others can relate to this movie which happens to also be a comedy. Because we all know that guss is just another typical thief with no wife or kids, and obviously does have a heart and morals and he has to step in and referree this fighting family constantly while he hides from the cops and waits for his partner to get a getaway car, or in this case ends up being a boat. Kevin Spacey is another one of my favorite actors and he's also great in the ref. He plays the father who was cheated on by his wife with a devilery man. So it's pretty much non stop laughs and denis leary is hilarious and hot and a big turn on (for me) and if you like denis leary, check out JUDGMENT NIGHT, and his stand up comedy NO CURE FOR CANCER, which is also funny as hell, but judgement night is a thriller and learry plays the villain, and the cast and acting is great also and the cast includes emilio estevez. I've seen the ref 100s of times and still laugh as hard as i did wen i first saw it. I'm about to buy it on dvd here soon... i can't fathom how some people hated this movie. It's a riot.