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07/30/02
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
Leary 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
[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
This is a smart witty film- Leary is fantastic, Spacey a blast and Davis brilliant!
10/17/03
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 CriticMaterial like this is only as good as the acting and writing. The Ref is skillful in both areas.
01/01/00
Top CriticNo review available.
03/11/03
The 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
No review available.
07/26/02
This film introduced me, nay, introduced everyone, to the reason why Denis Leary is well regarded.
01/01/00
No review available.
06/25/05
A wicked update of "The Ransom of Red Chief," re-imagined for the dysfunctional ’90s.
08/09/02
Dennis Leary's shining hour. His stand-up persona's greatest moment and it was all down hill from there.
12/21/04
I thought the pacing was off and the characters were drawn too purely dark.
01/01/00
Almost good. Emphasis on the 'almost.'
04/22/03
One of the most underrated comedies of the 1990s
10/07/04
No review available.
05/14/04
Very funny, ultimately appealing.
10/22/02
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
Latest News for The Ref
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