The Ref (1994)

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

Director:

Ted Demme

Writers:

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

Stars:

Denis Leary, Judy Davis, Kevin Spacey

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Denis Leary plays an unfortunate cat burglar, who is abandonded by his partner in the middle of a heist, and is forced to take an irritating Connecticut couple (Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis) hostage. He soon finds that he took more than he bargained for when the couple's blackmailing son and despicable in-laws step into the picture. Before long they're driving him nuts with their petty bickering and family problems. The only way for him to survive is to be their referee and resolve their differences, before he can be nabbed by the police.

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Plot Keywords:

hostage | burglar | bickering | police | dysfunctional family | 

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Taglines:

They might be his hostages but what they're doing to this guy is criminal.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 March 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Egy híján túsz

Filming Locations:

Carlisle, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$11,439,193 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original ending had Denis Leary being caught by the cops to show the son that a life of crime leads nowhere. However, after screening the movie to a test audience and receiving negative comments about the ending, director Ted Demme changed it. He now admits he regrets changing it.

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Goofs

When Gus is in the car with Lloyd and Caroline and Lloyd runs a stop sign, Caroline is clearly not wearing a seat belt as she looks behind the car. Once the three are facing forward again, the seat belt is magically across her chest.

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Quotes

Gus: Caroline and Loyd, will get the coffee and deserts then we'll be opening presents.
Connie Chasseur: We can't open presents til midnight.
Gus: Why not?
Connie Chasseur: Because it's not Christmas until midnight!
Gus: We'll be changing the rules, a little bit. We are opening the presents now. Not later, now. Why? We're adults, and we can open our presents, WHENEVER WE WANT!

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Connections

References The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986)

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Soundtracks

"The Holly And The Ivy"
Arranged by Charles Thompson

User Reviews

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.