Denis Leary and Kevin Spacey match wits in this ever-so-gently whitewashed holiday staple. Spacey, whose flammable relationship with wife Judy Davis takes center stage in nearly every scene, is at his deadpan sarcastic best from start to finish, while Leary's brand of comedy is somewhat neutered by the family-friendly nature of the picture. At its root, though, this is a startlingly simple premise that never really evolves into something grand enough to carry a feature-length picture. It's got some good one-liners, a few solid recurring gags, a volatile core concept, but can't manage to make the shift into high gear that would've put it over the top.

This is by far one movie that doesn't get the credit it deserves. I've told several people about this movie and they said that they had never heard of it. After they watched it, they were wondering how this movie has gone so unnoticed. Dennis Leary gives a stunning performance and Kevin Spacey is simply great. There are several great lines in this movie... like when Dennis Leary says to Judy Davis "What are we, girlfriends"? Another of my favorite lines is when the grandmother tells Dennis Leary "you don't have the ball"... HILARIOUS... and his response had me rolling on the floor. I can watch this movie once a week and still lmao. I gave it 10 stars only because I couldn't give it 100 stars. Great movie and great cast too.

This film falls at the first hurdle for me. It isn't funny at all. I was going to switch it off after 20 minutes but decided to give it another ten in the faint hope of a laugh. It's clearly supposed to be funny but just isn't. The basic premise is that a burglar falls through a trapdoor which is part of the security system of a house he is burgling. The next thing we know he's in a supermarket sticking a gun in the back of a hostage. How he got out and why he wants to take a hostage isn't explained. I'm prepared to suspend reality for films , particularly comedies but this just doesn't make any sense. What relevance has the Police Chief saying that his cops are useless? Maybe that's supposed to be a funny bit. The ingredients are there for a comedy, i.e. gunman taking very argumentative family hostage - but he doesn't need to be there, He could walk away at any time. My advice would be - don't waste your time.

The subject matter is just one anyone can relate to! The casting selection couldn't have been better. The direction is just on the money. The acting is superb!Everyone here excels;Dennis Leary nails it as the fugitive trying to find his way out of failed robbery attempt!Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis are superb as the dysfunctional and argumentative couple.The lightning is pitch perfect.The dialogue are ordinary and yet, cunning.The music is really cool also.It is not a movie for the faint of heart, its irreverent, and it does celebrates bad behavior, but, it also have a redeeming family lesson towards the end.Ted Demme was without a question, a master of the comedy genre.I never get tired of watching this films, specially during the Christmas season!