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.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFilm debut of J.K. Simmons.
- GoofsThis 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.
- SoundtracksThe Holly And The Ivy
Traditional, music first published by Cecil J. Sharp (uncredited), originally arranged by H. Walford Davies (uncredited)
Arranged by Charles Thompson
Featured review
A quirky Christmas Story
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!
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!
helpful•356
- stevebob99
- Dec 28, 2004
- How long is The Ref?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $11,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $11,439,193
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,044,097
- Mar 13, 1994
- Gross worldwide
- $11,439,193
- Runtime1 hour 37 minutes
- Sound mix
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![Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis, and Denis Leary in The Ref (1994)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNDA2Yzg3ZGUtMmJlOC00NzY2LWIxMDYtODcwOTM0ZWZhNWQ0XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNjExODE1MDc@._V1_QL75_UX90_CR0,0,90,133_.jpg)