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
Kevin Spacey	...	Lloyd
Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.	...	Jesse
Glynis Johns	...	Rose
Raymond J. Barry	...	Huff
Richard Bright	...	Murray
Christine Baranski	...	Connie
Adam LeFevre	...	Gary
Phillip Nicoll	...	John
Ellie Raab	...	Mary
Bill Raymond	...	George
John Scurti	...	Steve
Jim Turner	...	Phil
Herbie Ade	...	Bartender

Storyline

Denis Leary plays an unfortunate cat burglar, who is abandoned 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 on 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

thief | hostage | dysfunctional family | christmas | marriage counselor | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The marriage counselor the couple sees is named, "Dr. Wong." This character is played by actor BD Wong.

---

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.

---

Quotes

Gus: [Murray hangs the phone up just as Gus answers] He hung up.
Caroline: Well, he sounded upset.
Gus: He should be. He's going to die a horrible fucking death.
Connie Chasseur: [from downstairs, in a whiny tone] Caroline...
Caroline: Speaking of which.

---

Connections

Features A Christmas Carol (1951)

---

Soundtracks

Welcome To The Suburbs
Written by David A. Stewart & Shara Nelson
Performed by Shara Nelson
Courtesy of Chrysalis Records (U.K.)

User Reviews

Hands Down our Favourite Dark Christmas Classic

No Christmas would be complete without a viewing of The Ref, alongside our other fave, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It features the wonderfully matched sniping of Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis as the couple on the rocks who ultimately learn to come together with the aid of the put-upon criminal ( a wonderful Denis Leary ) who is by far the sanest of the lot. Set this in the weirdly Disneyesque beauty of Niagara-on-the-Lake at Christmas ( yes it really looks like that ), throw in one of the best rants ever delivered in a movie, and you have a near perfect sugar-free Christmas classic. Careful though, it is addictive.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 March 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Ref

Filming Locations:

Stoopy's Tavern, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,044,097, 13 March 1994

Gross USA:

$11,439,193

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,439,193

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1