# Ref, The (1994)

### reviewed by
Tak

                                   THE REF
                             A film review by Tak
                        Copyright 1994 by Mark Takacs

    Touchstone Pictures / rated R
    Starring:   Denis Leary            Judy Davis            Kevin Spacey
    Classification: Verbal Comedy
    Tak Rating: see it several times - full and/or matinee

    One-Line-Summary
    ----------------
        A hapless jewel thief hijacks a bickering couple.

Tak Plot Summary ---------------- Gus, a hapless jewel thief (comedian Denis Leary), kidnaps a bickering married couple (Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey) on Christmas Eve and ends up becoming a hostage himself in the couple's home. Forced to play referee to their frantic feuding and to deal with their delinquent son, annoying mother-in-law, etc, he finds himself at the mercy of this All-American dysfunctional household and wishing for a "silent night" anywhere else on the planet.

Tak Thoughts ------------ The first time I saw THE REF was at a preview screening, a packed house, filled with people out for the evening. I left thinking THE REF was "...the funniest movie I'd *ever* seen." In fact, I it as my first "many times at full price".

So, this weekend, I got all psyched up after writing this review and talked two friends into seeing a matinee on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Boy, was I disappointed. I had to rewrite this review. ('Nother two hours down the drain). I dunno if it was the non-capacity crowd or my high expectations, but it wasn't as fun. My friends liked it, but they didn't rave about it like my friends at the screening. I think the crowd totally made a huge difference.

On a better note, it's entertaining to watch people verbally slug it out with each other. The dirtier the fighting, the better. Both times I saw it, people in the theatres were laughing out loud. And although Denis Leary is a formidable talent here, he didn't steal the show. In fact, my favorite scenes are from early in the movie, where the whole interplay is among Gus (Denis Leary), LLoyd (Kevin Spacey) and Catherine (Judy Davis).

Denis Leary is absolutely perfect. His style perfectly complements his exasperated, frustrated, pissed-off criminal character. He swears up a storm, snaps off zillions of one liners, and rants non-stop. And it's not really Denis Leary material--you don't have to be a fan to enjoy THE REF. In fact, the movie wasn't written with him in mind at all, though it was a perfect match.

The rest of the cast had their moments--the sheriff, a drunken fruit-cake bearing Santa, in-laws that are funny because you recognize them, and Gus's inept "...fucking waste of life..." sidekick. But it wasn't the same caliber--just your normal lame-o hollywood idea of funny. Fortunately we're never away from the bickering for too long.

The dialog in THE REF is fast-paced, and snappy from the very first scene where we're introduced to the bickering couple at their marriage counselor's office. There's a slight tendency to get a bit preachy that I noticed the second time around. Denis Leary almost says "Now kids, don't try this at home", as well as some speeches about recognizing your privilege.

PS: Watch for the wrestling scene with the grandma: In Premier, Leary says he *really* got elbowed in the balls during filming. Ouch.

Tak Rating: ----------- THE REF is really funny. Though I'd recommend you go see it at night, or whenever the theatre'll be crowded. The experience will be ten times better. In either case, you'll enjoy THE REF.

       avoid at all costs            see several times (w/friends) as matinee
       wait for videotape            see once at full price
       watch it on cable          X see it several times - full and/or matinee
       see once as a matinee    see many times at full price

-- Mark Takacs mtakacs@netcom.com Seattle, WA "Only Amiga!" WWW HomePage

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