Name: Retro Film Review: The Ref (1994)
Item: The Ref
Rating: 51
Author: @drax

(source: tmdb.org)

Anyone who has seen enough Hollywood films made in previous few decades knows that some of the most unpleasant things imaginable happen on Christmas. That rule applies not even to honest God-fearing folk, but also to those who earn their living through illegal means. One of such people is protagonist of The Ref, 1994 black comedy directed by Ted Demme. Experienced burglar Gus (played by Dennis Miller) chose Christmas as the perfect time for his next big job, but things go catastrophically wrong. Gus is abandoned by his idiotic accomplice Murray (played by Richard Bright) and pursued by police. Solution comes in the form of Lloyd (played by Kevin Spacey) and Caroline Chasseur (played by Judy Davis), married couple whom Gus kidnaps. He uses their car to pass through police roadblocks and later takes shelter in their home, but he soon begins regretting this decision. Chasseurs' marriage was in deep crisis and presence of armed kidnapper doesn't prevent spouses from constant bickering. Unable to shut them up by force, Gus takes the role of mediator, trying to talk them into settling their differences. But only when Chasseurs' home gets visited by their misfit son Jessee (played by Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.) and many other relatives, Gus' criminal enterprise really start to look like ultimate nightmare.

With the plot that gives odd twist to the Stockholm Syndrome, The Ref at first glance looks like a very dark and potentially subversive film - some sort of antithesis of an average Hollywood Christmas comedy and its celebration of family values. But, by the end of the film script by Richard La Gravenese and Mary Weiss returns to familiar territory and provides the audience with predictable plot resolutions. Before that happens, the audience would have plenty opportunity to enjoy misanthropic humour and great acting performances by Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis - two respectable actors who obviously liked the opportunity to display some comic ability. Dennis Leary is also very good in the role of a normal man caught in the insane situation. Director Ted Demme, on the other hand, didn't find right balance between drama and comedy, and there are some occasions when the quality of humour in The Ref sags. But for the most part, this comedy is very entertaining despite its missed potentials. RATING: 5/10 (++)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on June 6th 2003)