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03/26/09
The Ref (1994)
79
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:39
Fresh:31
Rotten:8
Average Rating:6.6/10
Consensus: Undeniably uneven and too dark for some, The Ref nonetheless boasts strong turns from Denis Leary, Judy Davis, and Kevin Spacey, as well as a sharply funny script.
Synopsis: Gus is a pretty clever cat burglar, but he's having a really bad Christmas Eve. He just stole precious gems from a wealthy amusement park owner. But his plan to escape has gone awry. So he ducks... [More]
Reviews for The Ref
Top CriticWhat makes most of this work is the brio of the acting, though the direction by Ted Demme and the script by Richard LaGravenese and Marie Weiss certainly don't hurt.
11/27/07
It's cynical, mean-spirited and, at least at first, viciously funny.
12/04/06
Top CriticIn his first starring role, comedian Leary makes his ranting career criminal strangely sympathetic.
02/09/06
[Judy Davis and Kevin Spacey] play this strident high comedy duet with a self-sustaining brio that easily puts them on the level of the stars of Twentieth Century, The Awful Truth, The Philadelphia Story, and His Girl Friday.
12/19/05
No review available.
06/25/05
No review available.
03/25/05
Dennis Leary's shining hour. His stand-up persona's greatest moment and it was all down hill from there.
12/21/04
No review available.
11/19/04
One of the most underrated comedies of the 1990s
10/07/04
No review available.
09/25/04
No review available.
06/20/04
No review available.
05/14/04
No review available.
01/13/04
Just because The Ref isn't your typical Christmas movie doesn't mean you should skip it. In fact, it should be just the opposite.
12/24/03
This is a smart witty film- Leary is fantastic, Spacey a blast and Davis brilliant!
10/17/03
Very entertaining.
06/06/03
...[The Ref is] the sort of movie that improves on repeated viewings.
05/24/03
Staying clear of any mean-spirited attitudes, The Ref is a film to warm the hearts and touch the nerves of dysfunctional families everywhere.
05/20/03
Top CriticLatest News for The Ref
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Welcome to RT's Five Days of Christmas Countdown, where we serve up a different list each day of the best holiday flicks around. Today, feast your eyes on the Top Christmas... More...
July 13, 2005:
Trailer Bulletin: Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
If you remember the goofy ol' teaser for "Ice Age," then you'll probably get a kick out of the all-new trailer for "Ice Age 2: The Meltdown." Yes, it's more... More...
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