In his first starring role, comedian Leary makes his ranting career criminal strangely sympathetic.
Comment
02/09/06
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.
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Reviews for The Ref
Very entertaining.
06/06/03
This is not a seamlessly constructed movie, but as long as you're not expecting great art, it's unlikely to disappoint.
01/01/00
Top CriticJust 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
[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
Material like this is only as good as the acting and writing. The Ref is skillful in both areas.
01/01/00
Top CriticThe Ref has a soft heart of domesticity underneath its superficially heartless humor.
05/08/02
As a starmaking vehicle for Leary, The Ref may do the trick. He's a prowling, muttering bundle of nervous energy, which is essentially a variation his MTV character. And he's very funny.
01/01/00
The Ref is one of those rare movies that seem to have everything going for it -- a promising director, terrific actors and an original, unapologetically grown-up script -- yet somehow still turns out to be a phenomenal drag.
01/01/00
Top CriticStaying 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 Critic...[The Ref is] the sort of movie that improves on repeated viewings.
05/24/03
This film introduced me, nay, introduced everyone, to the reason why Denis Leary is well regarded.
01/01/00
There are too many funny things going on in The Ref for it to be a complete failure.
01/01/00
I thought the pacing was off and the characters were drawn too purely dark.
01/01/00
What 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
Top CriticLeary rehashes his Bill Hicks persona for the umpteenth time, but if you can get past the blatant rip-off of his shtick, you'll find an inspired, virulent, often hilarious film that apparently was just too much for old Saint Nick.
01/01/00
It's a shame the comedy has a running joke that stinks, a ridiculous ending and language unsuitable for family viewing.
05/20/03
This is one holiday party you'll want to miss.
01/01/00
Top CriticDemme brings out the comic ease in Leary.
05/12/01
Top CriticIt's cynical, mean-spirited and, at least at first, viciously funny.
12/04/06
Top CriticLatest News for The Ref
December 18, 2006:
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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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