The Ref (2003, DVD)

This is one of the best comedies ever! Although the language is a little strong in places, the laughs generated by these great actors are priceless. Dennis Leary (the thief) takes Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis hostage. Their incessant bickering drives him crazy. That, combined with Leary's bumbling accomplice, the couple's delinquent-minded son, and the in-laws coming for dinner, makes for an interesting (and hilarious) evening. One of my favorite scenes is when Leary tells grandma about how mothers are supposed to be "nice" and that her husband isn't dead, he's just hiding from her. I am delighted to finally have my own copy of this movie!

I love this movie. I had seen it years ago, but was not necessarily looking for it on ebay. Did a search for comedy DVD's and found this. Even if you don't like Dennis Leary, he was sp perfect in this role and it is truly a funny, silly movie. Kevin Spacey is great, as usual. This married couple is having problems and "The Ref"( Dennis Leary, also a crook) is forced to play Therapist in a very unconventional way.

Non stop laughs from beginning to end!! If you are a fan of Denis Leary this is a must see. Kevin Spacey is outstanding also, there are alot of familiar faces in this movie.

This movie will keep you in stitches. It's a Christmas comedy where Murphy's Law resides full time. "Gotta see" adult situation and language comedy.

This movie is hysterical! It has these two ordinary people who are in marriage counseling with a doctor who is not getting them the breakthru to save and improve their marriage at all. But that is the least of their worries when they are randomly held hostage by an on the run thief. Unbeknownst to the poor thief, he has just kidnapped a couple who have such deep seated anger issues that every minute of their day is a constant effort to resolve their turmoil...and no kidnapping is going to deter them from their mission! Add to that an obviously dysfunctional rest of the family (inlaws included) and all chaos breaks loose...You will laugh your head off!

I originally borrowed this movie from my sister, say 2 years ago...and then just Never Gave It Back...Why? Because I was watching it like every week and every time we had people over and they wanted to watch a film...this was the one we'd watch! Everyone loved it! Eventually, I realized I needed my own copy so I could return hers, so I bid on 3 here on ebay and kept bidding until I won all of them. One is for my own family and the other two are gifts to my 2 favorite people. Gotta share the best video ever!

One of Denis Leary's best films. Gives a new meaning to dysfunctional families and the dialogue is absolutely hilarious. Definitely one of if not the best comedies to come out in the 1990's.

I bought this upon the request of my mother . . . although I also LOVE this movie. It is an excellent comedy/drama This movie shows you that no matter how bad you think life may be for you, there is always someone out there who has it worse.

im glad i bought this dvd its an older movie but a goody what a movie to get thanks again very funny

I bought it because I saw it on TV and wanted to see it again in my own time. It's very very funny, and suits my sense of humor.

Great movie. Outstanding product and service. Hope to do business again! Great shipping at a good price.

The DVD was in perfect condition. It looked brand new; there were no problems at all. The Ref is a comedy about a couple who has marital problems, but gets stuck with this thief at Christmas. There's a lot of swearing (f-word), so if that bothers you, you might not find the show as funny. I love how "The Ref" gets to tell the family members off and doesn't butter-coat anything for them. Funny.

Hysterically funny, just love the dialogs, great movie. I have seen this 5 times, and it`s still as funny as the first time. A keeper.

This Dark Christmas Comedy starring Denis Leary is a movie about a jewelry heist gone bad and is not for the faint of heart.

Please take note that the language is quite offensive most of the time and the the subject matter is adult. The movies time line takes place during Christmas Eve and there are some rather sacrilegious remarks made that I personally found very funny but very crass and very abrasive at the same time. This movie is not your typical Christmas fare...it is along the same lines as Billy Bob Thorton's Bad Santa.

Denis Leary (Gus) is just as foul mouthed and irreverent in this movie as he is during his stand up comedy routines....so, consider yourself warned.

The movie takes place in a small Connecticut town on Christmas Eve.
Denis Leary (Gus) is attempting to secure his future with one last big jewelry score. His efforts prove to be unsuccessful when his greed gets the best of him and things go awry. He finds himself trying to bribe his way past a guard dog ( a Rottweiler named Cannibal) and from there his troubles only multiply.

Gus finds himself stranded in this small community with a reward bounty on his head and the local police doing house to house searches. In an attempt to "blend in" he takes a couple hostage for the night and all H*ll breaks loose.

Gus has the misfortune of taking the most dysfunctional and disagreeable couple in town as his hostages. The insane are running the asylum and Gus's efforts to regain control are what makes this dark comedy so very, very funny.

Silent night?
Holy night?..........
I don't think so!

High Sophisticated Comedy. The Cast speaks volumes.... Rarely do you have this much talent in one Movie. This Film is a must for your collection. You will quote lines for years to come. It will become tradition and the perfect pick-me-up when you are having the Holiday Blues. If you don't own it -- run don't walk.....

SwissMissBliss

If you enjoy the type of dry and sarcastic humor that is characteristic of Dennis Leary (with a little less crudeness) you will LOVE this movie just as much as I did. Leary plays a career criminal who ends up taking a constantly bickering couple with marital problems hostage on Christmas Eve after a failed burglary attempt. He ends up having to referee arguments between them, thier delinquent son who returns home from military school and a houseful of other relatives who show up for dinner while at the same time trying to plan his escape. I believe this movie appeals to adults of all ages- anyone who likes to laugh.

It was one of the funniest movies I have ever seen! Absolutely loved it and recommended to all my friends, who loved it, too!!

I bought it for the above reasons and it is a movie that I watch over and over again at Christmas time.

I had heard the movie the Ref was very funny from my parents and some friends. I looked for the movie on ebay and found it. I decided to buy it.

No one but Dennis Leary could be the Ref. This movie was made for him. It's hysterical and epitomized the typical family holiday gathering. It's a real Christmas story, unlike the perfect people who live in a perfect place, in It's a Wonderful Life. Everyone can, on some level, relate to the dreaded dysfunctional family gathering at holidays. Leary says everything you only wish you could say. This is a family classic, but not for younger viewers or gramma. R rated for language.