The Ref (1994)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Ted Demme

Writers (WGA):

Marie Weiss (story)
Richard LaGravenese (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

9 March 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

He's taken them hostage. They're driving him nuts.

Plot:

A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.

Plot Keywords:

Hostage | Bickering | Burglar | Dysfunctional Family | Partner

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Denis Leary	...	Gus
Judy Davis	...	Caroline Chasseur
Kevin Spacey	...	Lloyd Chasseur
Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.	...	Jesse Chasseur
Glynis Johns	...	Rose Chasseur
Raymond J. Barry	...	Lt. Huff
Richard Bright	...	Murray, Gus' Driver
Christine Baranski	...	Connie Chasseur
Adam LeFevre	...	Gary Chasseur
Phillip Nicoll	...	John Chasseur
Ellie Raab	...	Mary Chasseur
Bill Raymond	...	George
John Scurti	...	Lt. Steve Milford
Jim Turner	...	Phil
Herbie Ade	...	Herbie, Bartender Mackerel Bar

Also Known As:

Hostile Hostages

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:K-3 | New Zealand:PG | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Germany:6 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Carlisle, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Trivia:

Dennis Leary only fires his gun once in the entire film. It was fired at the smoke detector to stop it from beeping.

Goofs:

Continuity: At one point while in the car after taking Lloyd and Caroline hostage, tail lights disappear behind Gus in the rear view window.

Quotes:

Connie Chasseur: I'm sorry but I have had it! I have never heard of such a Christmas! Sex... and drugs... an-an-and women being set on fire!

Movie Connections:

References "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (1986)

Soundtrack:

The Holly And The Ivy

If this is what happens, then kidnap me!

In what may be his funniest role to date, Denis Leary plays kidnapper Gus, who takes wealthy Connecticut couple Lloyd (Kevin Spacey) and Caroline Chasseur (Judy Davis) hostage one Christmas Eve, only to have them drive him absolutely nuts due to their bad marriage! As Gus puts it: "I kidnapped my f--king parents!" We might say that Spacey's role here was a predecessor to his character in "American Beauty" - I can certainly see a similarity - but that's missing the point. The point is to watch how the people here go from one embarrassing situation to the next. The dinner scene really blows everything out of the water. Overall, "The Ref" is looking at the falsity of the suburban lifestyle, but they do some hilarious things to show it. I would say that "The Ref" and "Gremlins" are my two favorite Christmas movies ever.

Also starring Glynis Johns and Christine Baranski.