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The Ref
Directed by
Ted Demme
R
1994
1h 37m
Comedy
,
Crime
,
and more
6.9
73%
73%
6.5
Add to Watchlist
A cat burglar is forced to take a bickering, dysfunctional family hostage on Christmas Eve.
More
Where to Watch The Ref
Hoopla
Free
Amazon Video
Buy $9.99
Apple TV
Buy $4.99
+3 more
Cast of The Ref
Denis Leary
Gus
Judy Davis
Caroline Chasseur
Kevin Spacey
Lloyd Chasseur
Glynis Johns
Rose Chasseur
Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.
Jesse Chasseur
Raymond J. Barry
Lt. Huff
Richard Bright
Murray
Christine Baranski
Connie Chasseur
Adam LeFevre
Gary Chasseur
J.K. Simmons
Siskel
BD Wong
Dr. Wong, Marriage Counselor
John Scurti
Lt. Steve Milford
Bill Raymond
George
Phillip Nicoll
John
Ellie Raab
Mary
Jim Turner
Phil
Herbie Ade
Bartender
Ron Gabriel
Limo Driver
Scott Walker
Prosecutor
Edward Saxon
Reporter
The Ref Ratings & Reviews
Chicago Reader
Kelly Vance
Demme and the screenwriters take care to fill out the scenario with vividly drawn characters such as Raymond J. Barry's sardonic police chief and Robert Steinmiller Jr.'s Jesse.
rachelsreviews.net
Rachel Wagner
If you are in the mood for something different at Christmas than The Ref might be a fun choice for you.
Flavorwire
Jason Bailey
It's not just a Denis Leary vehicle. It's a real movie, with drama and grace and intelligence (and slapstick and drunk Santa gags and crude laughs).
Cinema Crazed
Felix Vasquez Jr.
A genuinely hysterical anti-holiday comedy.
Seattle Times
Jeff Shannon
It's miraculous casting, and the Australian Davis -- for my money the finest actress around, bar none -- is simply uncanny in her command of East Coast gentility combined with razor-sharp timing and comedic expression.
Los Angeles Times
Kenneth Turan
The Ref benefits from having actor's actors like Davis and Spacey in the leads.
Christian Science Monitor
David Sterritt
This is a funny idea, but the movie is too thinly written to build any real credibility, and the cast rarely seems in tune with the vapid vulgarities that dominate the dialogue.
Chicago Tribune
Michael Wilmington
It's not a bad idea, but it's not a good movie, either.
Philadelphia Inquirer
Steven Rea
Whether it's a function of sloppy editing or sloppy writing, few of these supporting players and their accompanying subplots pay off.
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Candice Russell
The Ref is a powerfully funny adult comedy. It skewers marriage, suburban values and the trendy belief that everyone is a victim of something.
Entertainment Weekly
Owen Gleiberman
A foulmouthed sitcom of a film.
Variety
Variety Staff
The Ref works virtually none of the miracles of [Richard LaGravenese's screenplay for The Fisher King,] his previous mix 'n' match effort.
Chicago Reader
Jonathan Rosenbaum
What makes most of this work is the brio of the acting, though the direction by Ted Demme and the script by Richard LaGravenese and Marie Weiss certainly don't hurt.
New York Times
Caryn James
Staying clear of any mean-spirited attitudes, The Ref is a film to warm the hearts and touch the nerves of dysfunctional families everywhere.
Decent Films
Steven D. Greydanus
The Ref has a soft heart of domesticity underneath its superficially heartless humor.
Rolling Stone
Peter Travers
Demme brings out the comic ease in Leary.
Chicago Sun-Times
Roger Ebert
Material like this is only as good as the acting and writing. The Ref is skillful in both areas.
Austin Chronicle
Marc Savlov
Leary rehashes his Bill Hicks persona for the umpteenth time, but if you can get past the blatant rip-off of his shtick, you'll find an inspired, virulent, often hilarious film that apparently was just too much for old Saint Nick.
Washington Post
Desson Thomson
This is one holiday party you'll want to miss.
Washington Post
Hal Hinson
The Ref is one of those rare movies that seem to have everything going for it -- a promising director, terrific actors and an original, unapologetically grown-up script -- yet somehow still turns out to be a phenomenal drag.
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