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Title: The Ref (1994)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Denis Leary | ... | ||
| Judy Davis | ... | ||
| Kevin Spacey | ... | ||
| Robert J. Steinmiller Jr. | ... | ||
| Glynis Johns | ... | ||
| Raymond J. Barry | ... | ||
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Richard Bright | ... |
Murray, Gus' Driver
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| Christine Baranski | ... | ||
| Adam LeFevre | ... |
Gary Chasseur
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Phillip Nicoll | ... |
John Chasseur
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Ellie Raab | ... |
Mary Chasseur
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| Bill Raymond | ... |
George
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| John Scurti | ... |
Lt. Steve Milford
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| Jim Turner | ... |
Phil
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Herbie Ade | ... |
Herbie, Bartender Mackerel Bar
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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. Written by Nick D. <ndoherty@imt.net>
Taglines:
He's taken them hostage. They're driving him nuts. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
9 March 1994 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Egy híján túsz See more »Box Office
Budget:
$11,000,000 (estimated)Gross:
$11,439,193 (USA)Company Credits
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1Did You Know?
Trivia
The movie on television, watched by the cops at the station, is It's a Wonderful Life. See more »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. See more »Quotes
Gus: Look kid... what I do, running around, stealing stuff, may sound great when you're fourteen years old, but it sucks just a little bit when you're thirty-five. No house. No family. I got a partner who's fifty... he still can't understand why they took "Happy Days" off the air.See more »
I enjoyed the Ref immensely. It is an off-beat change of pace from most Christmas feel-good movies, yet it still comes together in the end. Denis Leary is very convincing as the successful cat burglar caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Christine Baransky plays a delightfully deranged sister in law who is more interested in money and appearances than in family or Christmas. Kevin Spacey proves that he can play any part from milk toast nagged husband to serial killer.
One caution, though- if you are offended by cursing, then this movie is not for you. There is a great deal of cursing in it. If you've seen any of Denis Leary's stand-up, then you know what to expect, but if you want a Christmas movie to watch with the kids, go find A Christmas Story, Eloise at Christmastime or It's a Wonderful Life. Anything but this one!