Login
The Ref was released by Walt Disney Studios subsidiary Buena Vista in 1994, but it is not the type of Christmastime entertainment that one would expect from the House of Mouse. By no means family-friendly, The Ref is a dark, mean-spirited, cynical and viciously funny black comedy crime film that does not aspire to generate warmth or fuzziness. Consequently, despite the festive setting, the distributor eschewed a customary Christmas release slot, instead electing to open the movie in March, where it significantly underperformed but later developed a cult following through home video and television airings. A darkly humorous "alternative" Christmas movie, The Ref works thanks to a combination of exceptional performances and the razor-sharp, top-notch screenplay by Richard LaGravenese and Marie Weiss, while Ted Demme's astute direction assuredly guides the material.
A troubled couple undergoing marriage counselling, Lloyd (Kevin Spacey) and Caroline (Judy Davis) constantly fight and bicker, with divorce seemingly a likely outcome. It is Christmas Eve, and nothing but gloom lies ahead for the pair, who will soon welcome their highly dysfunctional extended family. Elsewhere in town, cat burglar Gus (Denis Leary) is on the run from local police after a failed attempt to rob an affluent mansion. With the police setting up roadblocks, Gus takes hostages - and, unfortunately for him, he chooses Lloyd and Caroline. Bad choice. Although Gus should be in control since he has a gun, the thief soon finds himself in an intolerable situation as the couple fiercely argue into the night. Further complicating the situation is the unexpected presence of Lloyd and Caroline's son, Jesse (Robert J. Steinmiller Jr.), while Lloyd's family are still en route to the house to celebrate Christmas. Trying to weather the storm, Gus poses as Lloyd and Caroline's therapist in front of their family while the police expand their search.
A dark comedy inhabited by unlikeable and morally questionable individuals, The Ref is an agreeable reprieve from feel-good, saccharine-coated, family-friendly Christmas pictures. In the vein of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, the movie explores dysfunctional family dynamics and the tensions between families that normally remain hidden. Furthermore, the script takes satirical jabs at the typical, worthless presents that families often gift each other but everyone actually despises (socks, sweaters, and so on). Although The Ref is not necessarily a mature examination of the difficulties of marriage, the screenplay does effectively highlight the ridiculousness of some couples who launch into a full-blown argument over the most minor and insignificant things. Although the movie momentarily slips from the misanthropic to the sentimental as the final act kicks in, the tonal change feels somewhat earned, leading to an agreeably unconventional climax. Demme reshot the ending following negative test screenings, though the director later regretted the change. Your mileage may vary, but this reviewer believes the theatrical ending is fitting and satisfying.
The Ref features a uniformly excellent cast. Kevin Spacey (pre-downfall) and Judy Davis are ideal as Lloyd and Caroline, delivering their side-splitting dialogue with incredible zest and comedic energy. Their verbal sparring also possesses a nasty edge since they do not fight cutely; instead, they ferociously battle with tongues sharp enough to slice someone's fucking jugular. As long as you can overlook the recent allegations against Spacey, the actor is terrific here. Equally funny is stand-up comedian and MTV star Denis Leary, who worked with Demme on MTV spots and a Showtime comedy special. The Ref was Leary's first film project as the top-billed star, and he manages to make Gus both menacing and oddly likeable. With an almost unending supply of uproarious one-liners, Leary is a comedic delight here, and he also plays exceptionally well off his co-stars. In supporting roles, we have Glynis Johns (late of Mary Poppins) as Lloyd's big-mouthed monster of a mother (who even manages to draw Gus's ire), while the always-eccentric Christine Baranski often steals the spotlight as Lloyd's sister-in-law.
Aside from the cast, the dialogue is the flick's biggest asset. Bursting with razor-sharp, constantly hilarious and incisive dialogue, The Ref continually maintains interest as the actors deliver their witty lines with delightful relish. Late director Ted Demme (nephew of Oscar-nominated director Jonathan Demme) learned the filmmaking ropes at MTV, but he thankfully eschews flashy visual mannerisms here. Thus, The Ref is welcomely free of gimmicky filmmaking, and Demme perpetually keeps the narrative engaging through astute editing and the terrific performances. The Ref's only problem is that the material outside Lloyd and Caroline's household only occasionally works. While it is amusing to witness the incompetence of the bumbling police officers, and Raymond J. Barry is great as a police lieutenant, other material is less successful (Barry's character has a subplot involving infidelity and losing his job that ultimately leads nowhere).
With its perfect cast and uproarious screenplay, plus scenes with It's a Wonderful Life playing on the television, The Ref possesses all the earmarks of a genuine Christmas classic, making it unsurprising that it is a Christmastime staple for many households despite its misanthropic tone. Ahead of its time with its cynical attitude towards Christmas, it is a great companion piece to 2003's Bad Santa, and a double feature of the two would make for excellent holiday viewing for those with a disdain for the festive season.
8.5/10
