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The Ref, also known as Hostile Hostages, is a 1994 crime comedy film starring Denis Leary, Judy Davis, and Kevin Spacey, and directed by Ted Demme.

Synopsis

A small time crook takes a couple hostage to escape the cops, only to discover that the two are in the midst of a marital argument and in need of couple counseling, sending the crook spiraling into their deranged quarrel.

Cast

• Denis Leary as Gus
• Judy Davis as Caroline Chasseur
• Kevin Spacey as Lloyd Chasseur
• Robert J. Steinmiller Jr. as Jesse Chasseur
• Glynis Johns as Rose Chasseur
• Raymond J. Barry as Lieutenant Huff
• Richard Bright as Murray
• Christine Baranski as Connie Chasseur
• Adam LeFevre as Gary Chasseur
• Phillip Nicoll as John Chasseur
• Ellie Raab as Mary Chasseur
• Bill Raymond as George
• John Scurti as Lieutenant Steve Milford
• Jim Turner as Phil
• Ron Gabriel as Limo Driver
• Edward Saxon as Mike Michaels
• Kenneth Utt as Jeremiah Willard
• Robert Ridgely as Bob Burley
• J.K. Simmons as Colonel Siskel
• BD Wong as Marriage Counselor Dr. Wong (uncredited)

Gallery

Screenshots

Videos

Trivia

• The film was inspired by screenwriters' Richard LaGravenese and sister-in-law Marie Weiss and their families. Weiss had an argument with her husband which inspired the concept of a third party to step in like a referee.
• This movie was intended to be the first as part of a three-picture deal with director Ted Demme and Disney. Ultimately, this would be his only film with them, unless one counts Beautiful Girls, which was released through Miramax Films.
• Despite being a Christmas movie, the film was released in the Spring.
• J.K. Simmons feature film debut.
• Ellie Raab's final acting role.
• The whole movie is set entirely on Christmas Eve and around nighttime.
• Both trailers feature scenes made specifically for both previews. Gus is portrayed breaking the fourth wall in both of them. In the first trailer, he is angrily ranting in front of carolers about his past Christmases and demands a new list from Santa. The second trailer, has him being interrogated by unseen police (presumably after the events of the film), and voicing his misery over what he had to endure.

External links

• The Ref on Wikipedia

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