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:

The movie on television, watched by the cops at the station, is It's a Wonderful Life (1946).

Goofs:

Continuity: 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:

John Chasseur: Mom, the TV's broken. What are we gonna do all night?
Connie Chasseur: Celebrate the birth of Christ!

Movie Connections:

References In Society (1944)

Soundtrack:

Please Come Home For Christmas

I loved this movie!

The 1994 film 'The Ref' is absolutely hilarious.

Denis Leary is great as Gus, a burglar who takes Lloyd Chasseur (Kevin Spacey) and Lloyd's wife Caroline (Judy Davis) hostage in their own home at Christmas, to hide himself from police. Unfortunately for Gus, this couple aren't exactly the Leave it to Beaver family. They rant and rave the whole way through the film, even though Gus is holding a gun to their head. Of course, we know Gus is would never hurt anyone but it's still funny because Lloyd and Caroline don't!

The acting is superb, and the ending is hilarious. The whole Christmas dinner scene is possibly the best in the film. Spacey and Davis sound like a real squabbling couple, and their character's son Jesse (Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.) is a teenage rebel, who causes Gus even more trouble. Not only does this film serve for side splitting laughs, but also for additional fun, because you can always point out that Lloyd and Caroline sound like you and your spouse! (Actually, no, not a good idea!)

Overall, I really loved this movie, and think it's a sadly forgotten, underrated comic gem. You won't be disappointed!