The Ref (1994)

CHRISTMAS MOVIE WEEK 2023 continues!  And this second episode happens to focus on a strange, little studio holiday-themed comedy which actually came out thirty years ago this coming Easter....It stars previous stand-up comedian Denis Leary in his first starring role in a feature film - he plays Gus, a career thief who is robbing the homes of some wealthy residents in a snowy New England town when suddenly he's about to be caught.....so he ends up on the lam with a local couple (Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis) and keeping them hostage in their home while he tries to figure out how to skip town while avoiding the cops.   Of course this isn't just ANY couple....they're on the verge of divorce, CONSTANTLY arguing even when in his armed presence.  So while trying to figure out what to do and keeping tabs on them, he in essence becomes their.....REF so to say. :) And what results is a raucous R-rated Christmas comedy directed by the late, great Ted Demme. Host & Editor: Geoff GershonProducer: Marlene Gershon https://livingforthecinema.com/Send us a Text Message.https://livingforthecinema.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Living-for-the-Cinema-Podcast-101167838847578Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/livingforthecinema/Letterboxd:https://letterboxd.com/Living4Cinema/