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IMDbPro

The Ref

  • 19941994
  • RR
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
25K
YOUR RATING
Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Denis Leary in The Ref (1994)
ComedyCrimeDrama
A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
25K
YOUR RATING
    • Ted Demme
    • Marie Weiss(story)
    • Richard LaGravenese(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Denis Leary
    • Judy Davis
    • Kevin Spacey
    • Ted Demme
    • Marie Weiss(story)
    • Richard LaGravenese(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Denis Leary
    • Judy Davis
    • Kevin Spacey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 135User reviews
    • 55Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos80

    Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Denis Leary in The Ref (1994)
    Adam LeFevre in The Ref (1994)
    Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Denis Leary in The Ref (1994)
    Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, Ted Demme, Denis Leary, and Robert J. Steinmiller Jr. in The Ref (1994)
    Ted Demme in The Ref (1994)
    Robert J. Steinmiller Jr. in The Ref (1994)
    Christine Baranski in The Ref (1994)
    Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Ted Demme in The Ref (1994)
    Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Denis Leary in The Ref (1994)
    Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Denis Leary in The Ref (1994)
    Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Denis Leary in The Ref (1994)
    Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Denis Leary in The Ref (1994)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Denis Leary
    Denis Leary
    • Gus
    Judy Davis
    Judy Davis
    • Caroline
    Kevin Spacey
    Kevin Spacey
    • Lloyd
    Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.
    Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.
    • Jesse
    Glynis Johns
    Glynis Johns
    • Rose
    Raymond J. Barry
    Raymond J. Barry
    • Huff
    Richard Bright
    Richard Bright
    • Murray
    Christine Baranski
    Christine Baranski
    • Connie
    Adam LeFevre
    Adam LeFevre
    • Gary
    Phillip Nicoll
    • John
    Ellie Raab
    • Mary
    Bill Raymond
    Bill Raymond
    • George
    John Scurti
    John Scurti
    • Steve
    Jim Turner
    Jim Turner
    • Phil
    Herbie Ade
    • Bartender
    Ron Gabriel
    • Limo Driver
    Scott Walker
    Scott Walker
    • Prosecutor
    Edward Saxon
    Edward Saxon
    • Reporter
      • Ted Demme
      • Marie Weiss(story) (screenplay)
      • Richard LaGravenese(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Film debut of J.K. Simmons.
    • Goofs
      This film takes place in Connecticut. Several characters mention a county prosecutor throughout the film. Connecticut dissolved all county-level governments in 1960 and thus, there would be no such thing as a county prosecutor. In Connecticut, counties are solely geographic entities.
    • Quotes

      Gus: You know what, lady? I'd like to tie you to the back of a fucking truck.

      Rose: You don't have the balls.

      [Gus leaps up from his chair toward Rose and is intercepted by Lloyd]

      Lloyd: Don't do it! It's not worth it.

      Gus: I fucking hate her, Lloyd!

      Lloyd: I know, I know.

      Gus: What is the matter with you? I thought mothers were sweet and nice a-a-and Patient. I know loan sharks who are more forgiving than you. Your husband ain't dead, lady. He's hiding.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Guarding Tess/Lightning Jack/The Hudsucker Proxy/The Ref/Belle Epoque/Germinal (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      The Holly And The Ivy
      Traditional, music first published by Cecil J. Sharp (uncredited), originally arranged by H. Walford Davies (uncredited)

      Arranged by Charles Thompson

    User reviews135

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    An Adult Christmas Tale
    The Ref (1994)

    *** (out of 4)

    One of the most "adult" Christmas movies ever mad, THE REF tells the story of a thief (Denis Leary) who needs a place to hide out after a botched robbery so he kidnaps a couple (Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis) not knowing their going through a martial problem. Soon their arguing puts the thief in the middle and things take a turn for the worse when their annoying family members show up.

    THE REF didn't make too much of an impact when it was first released but over time it has gained a good cult following and rightfully so. I remember seeing the film when it was first released and found it to be uneven but there was just something about it that made me go back for repeat viewings. It soon dawned on me that the film wasn't uneven but in fact it was simply the perfect mix of comedy and drama. Throughout all the sarcasm and wit that Leary brings to the picture, you've got two great dramatic actors really delivering strong performances and making you care about this troubled couple. The way the film goes from one laugh to another and then onto a serious subject is something rather unique and the way director Ted Demme handles it is quite great.

    The film works so well because the three leads are simply perfect in their roles. That smart mouth nature of Leary is just flawless here as this role was simply made for him. Spacey and Davis are so good dramatically that they can sell this portion of the film but their comic timing is also flawless. The three perfectly play off one another and it leads to some great laughs. Another strong aspect of the film is the actual screenplay, which contains all sorts of bad, adult language but everything just feels and flows so naturally that you can't help but feel as if you're watching a real troubled couple and a real thief getting thrown together.

    THE REF isn't a flawless film by any stretch of the imagination but there are certainly enough laughs to keep it moving well.
    helpful•7
    0
    • Michael_Elliott
    • Jan 4, 2015

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 11, 1994 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Touchstone Pictures
      • Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 37 minutes
      • Dolby
      • Dolby Digital

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