The Ref is a black comedy Christmas crime movie that was produced by Touchstone Pictures and Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Productions, with distribution done by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. It was written by Richard LaGravenese and Mark Weiss, while Ted Demme directing.
The story is, Gus is a criminal on the run and winds up having take a bickering couple hostage. Being fed up with the arguing Gus acts as their marriage counselor or in this case a referee. But things are gonna get more complicated when the husband's family comes by for Christmas dinner.
Why It's Underrated
Now when it initial came it did receive tons of positive reviews but sadly bombed at the box office. It did manage find a wider audience thanks to home media and tv, but since then it just doesn't have any airings anymore. Which really sucks. I could see this being aired along side other alternative Christmas flicks like Bad Santa.
My Thoughts
One great aspect is the pacing. Now it's not real long to begin with, only clocking in at an hour and thirty-seven minutes. But from beginning to middle to end the movie just keeps going and never slows down, but we're still giving plenty of story and we don't miss out on anything.
Now onto the performances. Usually I'd pick a favorite but I actually enjoyed everyone in this regardless of how pick their role is. Their delivery is one point, they play off each other greatly, and overall there's not one bad performance to be had. The cast is great.
The next thing I'll touch on is the comedy. While you'll get some physical stuff you'll mainly be laughing at the dialogue. Seriously, some of the stuff people say is way more funnier than what they do. My favorite line is "I thought mothers were sweet and nice a-a-and patient. I know loan sharks who are more forgiving than you. Your husband ain't dead, lady. He's hiding".
The last thing I'll praise is how this really dives into the characters. Yes they have goofy moments, but we also get some really good serious stuff with them as well. There's one scene where there's bits of comedy, but it's mainly everyone getting everything off their chests, just letting out all of their frustrations. It's moments like that where we actually come to appreciate the characters, or for one character come to hate.
While I only discovered this film recently I've immediately found a new Christmas movie to watch as a tradition for the season.
My final rating is, A MUST WATCH!
That's all for now. Come back on Saturday, Dec 26th for my review of Robert Eggers' version of Nosferatu. Until then, enjoy the rest of your day.
Oh, and have a Merry Christmas Eve and even Merrier Christmas! 🎄
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