The Ref
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Movie Reviews of The Ref
Movie Review: The funniest Christmas film ever
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie is absolutely hysterical, and it gets funnier every time you see it.If you've never seen the film, The Ref is about a burgler (Dennis Leary) who gets trapped with an incredibly dysfunctional family on Christmas Eve. He first takes a married couple hostage, only to find that they are on the brink of divorce and so busy bickering with each other that they have little time to spare to be threatened by him. He is waiting for a phone call from his partner and cannot leave until he gets it; meanwhile, the rest of the Chasseur family is due to arrive at any moment to celebrate the holiday. What follows is probably some of the funniest dialogue in movie history, as the frankly loathsome mother-in-law (Leary tells her, "I've met loan sharks more forgiving than you') and the rest of the family arrive and Leary has to pretend to be the couple's marriage therapist.
This is a must-see movie, especially for the holidays. Quick, witty dialogue and excellent performances make this a stand-out. Although I found the subplot involving the son to be a little dull, the rest of the film more than makes up for it. As I said, every time you see this film there is more to enjoy.
My husband and I still quote this one incessantly.
Movie Review: character comedy at its best
Summary: 5 Stars
this is one of my favorite comedies, and i'm delighted to see that it's finally been released on dvd. the premise here is simply to take people who find themselves in situations they don't like -- a thief, a couple, a chief of police -- and watch them muddle through to a solution. a misjudged heist sets a burglar on the run, and he carjacks a married couple in order to escape. alas, the couple is deep into marital trench warfare (as we see in a hilarious counseling episode), and are having their dysfunctional relatives over for christmas dinner. the burglar has more problems than he bargained for, but posing as the marriage counselor he tries to bluff his way out. this was the first time i recall seeing kevin spacey, and he's perfect as the defensively sarcastic husband. judy davis is over the top as the bitchy, heartbroken wife. their chemistry with dennis leary is unique, and the ensemble acting is lively and top notch. the foreseeable comedic happy ending is touching and convincing. there are a few funny physical gags, but this is really a character comedy in the cary grant/rosalind russell tradition. a real delight.Movie Review: My favorite Christmas movie
Summary: 5 Stars
It's true. This is my favorite Christmas movie. Now, be warned, you have to be a fan of smart, talky movies (think of comedies from the thirties and forties). The uniting of Judy Davis, Denis Leary, and Kevin Spacey was inspired, and Christine Baranski and Glynis Johns (one of my favorite stars when I was a kid) provide extra pith to an already pith-laden production.Now you know, of course, that whenever you get Kevin Spacey and Denis Leary in one film there's going to a lot of talking and a lot of ranting, and the rants are truly delicious, topped off with Spacey's line: "The corpse has the floor!"
Judy Davis more than holds her own with Spacey and Leary, and B. D. Wong is delightful as the overwhelmed psychotherapist. As everyone gets a number in a musical, everyone gets a rant in The Ref, reminding us again of why two people argue: because they're both right.
Give yourself a treat and don't wait for Christmas to watch this one.
Movie Review: Very Funny Farce
Summary: 5 Stars
We were really surprised at this sleeper of a movie. I had not heard of it before, and since first viewing it, watch it three times. It is a holiday movie, where the holiday is understated. This movie with Kevin Spacey playing the husband is just hilarious. There is a lot of language in the movie, so, be prepared for that. The angst that Spacey and Davis going at throughout the movie is simply hilarious. You wonder how people could hate each other so much. The interplay with Spacey's extended family is really funny.
It is like taking a Christmas dinner where the family does not get along, and adding a lot of spice to it. There are so many funny scenes in the movie that you will not know what is coming next.
This movie is great for couples and friends to watch together, not a family movie, the language is too stiff.
Movie Review: The Ref: Vista Series DVD Petition
Summary: 5 Stars
If you want to take part in a petition to release 'The Ref' on Vista Series DVD, with special features such as a commentaries, featurettes, trailers, tv spots, biographies, outtakes, and the director's cut of the film including deleted scenes and the alternate ending (Gus surrenders and is arrested to prove to Jesse that a life of crime leads you nowhere but jail) which Ted Demme regretted having cut out, sign this petition to help lose this bare-bones dvd, and make a new collector's edition. Shame this couldn't have been thought of and/or been released in time for its 10th anniversary. Still, this would make a great DVD, so help out in this petition to Touchstone Home Entertainment to make 'The Ref: Vista Series DVD'!
The link is:
http://www.petitiononline.com/m181138/petition.html