       
The Ref 1994 DISNEY ENTERTAINMENT, DIRECTED BY TED DEMME Starring Dennis Leary, Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis Similar to the tune of Bad Santa, The Ref is a holiday movie without a real holiday feel. Granted, around every turn is a Christmas Tree and a Christmas carol can often be heard in the background, but otherwise, we’re lost in a sea of “F-bombs” and insults. This doesn’t make it a bad movie, but more or less a Christmas movie to be watched by Moms and Dads after little Jimmy goes to bed. Despite its R rating, I believe I was 16 when I first saw this movie. Ever since, It has been one of the many staples of my collection. Usually, I try to play it as more of a post-Christmas film, but every so often, it manages to play sooner. Its also a nice breakaway from the rest of my collection, which consists of mostly family-friendly, comedic movies. One Christmas Eve, Gus (Dennis Leary) and his partner-in-crime Murray (Richard Bright) plan a big heist at the mansion of Jeremiah Willard, Old Bay Brook’s wealthiest man. When things get out of hand, Murray takes off, leaving Gus to fend for himself against an attack dog, and dozens of local police. On foot, Gus stops at the local grocery, where a distraught Caroline (Judy Davis) is picking up a few last minute things before a hellish dinner with her husbands family. Little does Gus know that Caroline and her husband Lloyd (Kevin Spacey) have just come from their regular marriage counseling session. The two have more problems than anyone could possibly handle, and often annoy those around them. After forcing Caroline to her car, He orders Lloyd to drive back to their house so Gus can figure things out. Lloyd and Caroline prove to be worse than the attack dog, or the undoubted prison sentence Gus would serve if discovered. Lloyd and Caroline are constantly bickering back and forth, whether it be about Caroline having quit or not quit smoking, Lloyd’s running a red light or whether Caroline wants to have sex with Gus. Needless to say, when family starts showing up, it proves to be a test Gus has a tough time passing. Each minute pushes him closer to the edge, and eventually, things get a little hostile. For the most part, this is a very funny movie. I can relate to much of the bickering, as it was somewhat common in my household growing up. Nothing major, but just people digging at each other. Gus holds his own better than I think most of us would in the same situation. His only composure coming from the fact that he tracked Murray down at a bar and ordered him to hotwire a boat at the local Harbor. Gus’ frustration gives the film most of its laughs, as if he’s just itching to pull the trigger on one of them. Like I said, it’s a great movie if you like the vulgarity. I like this movie a lot, but as Christmas nears, I tend to enjoy the more harmonious films. Definitely a must for Leary fans and fans of Bad Santa. MOUNT CRUMPIT RATING: 3 / 5 |
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