"This is definitely one of "National Lampoon's" better efforts. Robert Loggia surprises his two nitwit Sons by announcing he wants to go legit. This sets into motion a familiar plot, with a randomly selected shrink, Kevin Pollak, strong armed into becoming Loggia's analyst. There are several subplots involving bad marriages, with Angie Dickinson and Sherilyn Fenn, needing divorces. Occasional "Godfather" spoofs are intertwined with the psychoanalysis, with decidedly uneven comedic results. I especially liked Ricky Aiello in the hothead "Sonny" role. This move can stand on it's own, with no blood and guts, as a kindler, gentler "Godfather". - MERK
16 Reviews
better than analyze this.
kwillisw6 December 2003
this move is much better than "analyze this". goes into more detail and has more laughs then the knockoff of this movie,just like almost any other remake. some movies are better off left alone. this movie stands on it's own.
THE DON'S ANALYST (DIDIER BECU)
Didier-Becu1 April 2004
I never thought the original movie "Analyze that" was that much of a winner, but then again it could rely on the talents of the players but here we get nothing but bad actors (even Twin Peaks-queen Sherillyn Fenn is a big dissapointment). The point is that if you decide to make a satire you better do it in a Naked Gun-way (something says that this movie would have been much better if you put Leslie Nielsen in the set) but there was too much trying to make ridiculising things into a real actionmovie (the kidnapping of the psychiater was a very low thing to watch). I am certainly not one of those who think movies have to be that serious (I even enjoyed Hot Shots so...) but they just have to try harder and having more respect for the viewer, so coming up with a better script would be something they can start with.
Absolutely Terrible!
Rumples15 November 1998
It's been quite some time since I've seen a movie as bad as this one. The funniest part of the whole film was it was classified as a comedy - or that someone had been stupid enough to make this piece of rubbish. I noticed it was made for tv - it should have stayed there in the 3am slot. My friend hired it from a video place, we watched 20 mins. of it, then took it back and demanded another film. That's how bad it was. I only gave it a 2 instead of a 1 out of sympathy. Don't EVER watch this miserable trash.
OK movie
saviovega30 December 2001
First of all, I've read in other reviews that this movie is a rip-off from 'Analyze This' and 'The Sopranos'. In my view, it's the other way around. This movie was released in 1997, the other ones in 1999. The movie itself is good, but not great. When I watched it, I had a few laughs and I certainly didn't bore myself. I'd give it a 7/10.
An underappreciated gem
jonesphillipa22 February 2021
It is certainly a made for TV film and the it is certainly a National Lampoon film; however, it deviates from the typical National Lampoon schlock that they are known for.
I've seen other reviewers who tore it to shreds that obviously saw it after the more popular big budget successor (Analyze This) and of comparing the cast....none of which is entirely fair. While the two movies have the same conceit, they are significantly different in that one was a big budget theater release with major (popular) cast and the other movie was a made-for-TV/cable movie with lesser known and/or actors who were no longer major actors. That's like trying to compare a Rolex and a Timex.....they may both keep time perfectly, one is appreciated for the craftsmanship and materials and the other for just being what it is and doing what it's supposed to do.....it doesn't mean that they should not both be appreciated for what they are.
The Don's Analyst in many ways is a bit more straightforward....an elderly mob boss is cracking up and ends up seeing an analyst who's life begins to fall apart and in fear for his life with the insanity of coping with the mob boss and his family, his wife, etc... The mob boss is struggling with failed relationships, regret over the past, etc...
While the special effects are schlocky and the acting and situations are intentionally over the top as you would expect in a National Lampoon release, I still find it the more entertaining between it and the newer film.
Opinions of course vary and some may appreciate it and others may not....but, as long as you are not expecting another entry in the Analyze This franchise and accept it for being a National Lampoon Made-for-TV film, it should be enjoyed.
I've seen other reviewers who tore it to shreds that obviously saw it after the more popular big budget successor (Analyze This) and of comparing the cast....none of which is entirely fair. While the two movies have the same conceit, they are significantly different in that one was a big budget theater release with major (popular) cast and the other movie was a made-for-TV/cable movie with lesser known and/or actors who were no longer major actors. That's like trying to compare a Rolex and a Timex.....they may both keep time perfectly, one is appreciated for the craftsmanship and materials and the other for just being what it is and doing what it's supposed to do.....it doesn't mean that they should not both be appreciated for what they are.
The Don's Analyst in many ways is a bit more straightforward....an elderly mob boss is cracking up and ends up seeing an analyst who's life begins to fall apart and in fear for his life with the insanity of coping with the mob boss and his family, his wife, etc... The mob boss is struggling with failed relationships, regret over the past, etc...
While the special effects are schlocky and the acting and situations are intentionally over the top as you would expect in a National Lampoon release, I still find it the more entertaining between it and the newer film.
Opinions of course vary and some may appreciate it and others may not....but, as long as you are not expecting another entry in the Analyze This franchise and accept it for being a National Lampoon Made-for-TV film, it should be enjoyed.
The classic spoof on psychiatry with a twist.
code_wizard21 October 1999
This is a very funny movie. "Analyze This" is a ripoff of this movie. This movie, unlike "Analyze This" is funny, while not 'clubbing' you with obvious and lame jokes. If you want idiot comedy, this movie is not it. If you want to laugh at psychiatrist, and their affect on life; this is your movie. This movie makes some very good points about shrinks, life in general, movies about the mafia, and what might happen if the movie mafia and shrinks got together. If you like National Lampoon, Monty Python, Andy Kaufman type humor; you will like this movie.
Not exactly "The Godfather",but has more grins
HapRay30 November 1998
The only reason I am commenting is because some guy out here called this "the worst movie he has ever seen". He followed this by saying he watched 20 mins. and returned it to the video store.(?) If you are from the East Coast,or have enjoyed Mafia style pictures in the past,this is a decently funny film,when you consider that it is nothing but a "spoof". It wasn't meant to be taken seriously..it's more like TV's "Married with Children". If you BELIEVE these premises,then I can't help you. I am a 64 year old,well read movie lover,and I actually laughed out loud more than once. So there...
A Laugh Out Loud Sophisticated Surprise!
experienceent24 February 2007
Staying at a friends house in NYC and found this on his movie shelf. He's a real comedy aficionado and only buys things that stand up to repeated viewing.
Really like Kevin Pollak's stand-up and think he's an underrated actor. As far as I knew he hadn't been the star of a film yet but here he is doing himself proud!
This is a more sophisticated, smarter take on a mobster seeing a shrink then either Analyze This or That. In fact according to the date on the box this film was done first! It's chock full of fast paced scenes and funny dialogue. It's Woody-Allen-esquire in tone (who I could also see playing the shrink). But Kevin really does a great job here. Not mugging or over the top he plays it just right and is hilarious!
It's also got a really fine ensemble cast who are uniformly excellent here. Especially Robert Loggia who gives a wonderfully heartfelt and funny performance. Other standouts are the actors who play his two inept sons (The older one is a dead ringer for Matt Dillon's brother in HBO's Entourage) and SCTV's Joe Flaherty.
Totally enjoyed this film and highly recommend. I now understand why it's up their on the shelf. It's a keeper!
The only thing that doesn't make sense to me is why this is a "National Lampoon" film. It's the complete opposite of a stupid gross-out low-brow comedy. Go figure.
Really like Kevin Pollak's stand-up and think he's an underrated actor. As far as I knew he hadn't been the star of a film yet but here he is doing himself proud!
This is a more sophisticated, smarter take on a mobster seeing a shrink then either Analyze This or That. In fact according to the date on the box this film was done first! It's chock full of fast paced scenes and funny dialogue. It's Woody-Allen-esquire in tone (who I could also see playing the shrink). But Kevin really does a great job here. Not mugging or over the top he plays it just right and is hilarious!
It's also got a really fine ensemble cast who are uniformly excellent here. Especially Robert Loggia who gives a wonderfully heartfelt and funny performance. Other standouts are the actors who play his two inept sons (The older one is a dead ringer for Matt Dillon's brother in HBO's Entourage) and SCTV's Joe Flaherty.
Totally enjoyed this film and highly recommend. I now understand why it's up their on the shelf. It's a keeper!
The only thing that doesn't make sense to me is why this is a "National Lampoon" film. It's the complete opposite of a stupid gross-out low-brow comedy. Go figure.
A well-crafted, overlooked comedy.
lafferguy13 September 2003
Thanks to my TIVO, which recommended and recorded this, I discovered a little known comic gem. At first I thought I was watching an unsold pilot for a TV adaptation of, "Analyze This" with Kevin Pollak playing the Billy Crystal part. I even felt he was doing a better job with the shrink character when I realized that this was indeed it's own movie.
I guess this must have been a straight to video film which obviously pre-dated Analyze This by at least a couple of years. How did DeNiro & Crystal get away with it? There are some scenes and situations that are uncannily similar.
Nonetheless The Don's Analyst, kept me laughing throughout. It was briskly paced and had a Coen Bros. feel to the directing and comic tone. It was also really well shot and looked more "realistic" then Analyze This which I feel was brightly lit and over the top comedy.
So hats off to the underdogs who made this really good little film. Set your TIVO and be prepared to smile and laugh.
I guess this must have been a straight to video film which obviously pre-dated Analyze This by at least a couple of years. How did DeNiro & Crystal get away with it? There are some scenes and situations that are uncannily similar.
Nonetheless The Don's Analyst, kept me laughing throughout. It was briskly paced and had a Coen Bros. feel to the directing and comic tone. It was also really well shot and looked more "realistic" then Analyze This which I feel was brightly lit and over the top comedy.
So hats off to the underdogs who made this really good little film. Set your TIVO and be prepared to smile and laugh.
Whe will the DVD come out?!
patskelley28 October 2008
I love The Don's Analyst and am impatiently waiting for the DVD to come out since changing all my players to DVD only. Angie Dickinson, Robert Loggia, Rick Aiello and all of the cast were perfect choices for the movie. I am also a huge fan of both Robert De Niro and Billy Chrystal but both Analyze This and That fell flat for me. I never could understand the media hype over Analyze This and That. The Don's Analyst does have a few comments well within mob characterization that could be considered somewhat anti semitic and I have often suspected this may the reason it is overlooked in favor of This and That. Anyone else? I think the movie is fantastic.
Pleasantly surprised
joman10 January 1999
I also must disagree with the guy who only watched 20 minutes of this movie. Being a National Lampoon film, I was expecting this to be pretty lame, but found myself laughing out loud at some points. Robert Loggia's performance was very funny. I would put this into the 'pleasant surprise' movie category.
Another National Lampoons Hit
ace53112 September 1999
This is another success in the long line of National Lampoon comedies. I don't understand why it didn't go to the theaters, because it was a great addition to the name National Lampoon. It has some of the same plot elements that made "Analyze This" a success. The thought of a mob boss seeking psychiatric help is absurd enough, but the way he and the analyst go through the psycho-analytical process will keep you in stitches.
A nasty, unfunny piece of trash
bob the moo8 March 2004
When I sat down to watch this I wasn't sure what it was going to be. Seeing the National Lampoon name on it I'd assumed it was going to be a comedy. After a while I realised that I wasn't laughing very much (if at all) and I assumed it must be a drama about the pressures of family life set in the mob.
As I watched this drama I then realised that the actors were playing mob caricatures with very weak performances and that the plot was lame and boring. So what was I watching!!!?
As the film closed I realised what I had done - I had wasted my time watching an idea that would later be done much better in both "Analyse This!" (for the gags) and "The Sopranos" (for the drama). Unfortunately that's all this seems to want to be, the film honestly has next to no laughs and no drama. I know Analyse This was only so-so itself, but it felt like the peak of comedy once I'd seen this.
It's truly sad that well-known actors such as Kevin Pollack and Sherilyn Fenn get involved with this nonsense. They have nothing to really do and I just felt that they were totally, totally wasted. The rest of the cast just stumble round in various stereotypical characters without any actual personalities or character, they are surprisingly dull and deadly unfunny.
Watching this almost makes me feel insulted that someone in TV land decided that this was all the entertainment I needed for a Friday evening.
As I watched this drama I then realised that the actors were playing mob caricatures with very weak performances and that the plot was lame and boring. So what was I watching!!!?
As the film closed I realised what I had done - I had wasted my time watching an idea that would later be done much better in both "Analyse This!" (for the gags) and "The Sopranos" (for the drama). Unfortunately that's all this seems to want to be, the film honestly has next to no laughs and no drama. I know Analyse This was only so-so itself, but it felt like the peak of comedy once I'd seen this.
It's truly sad that well-known actors such as Kevin Pollack and Sherilyn Fenn get involved with this nonsense. They have nothing to really do and I just felt that they were totally, totally wasted. The rest of the cast just stumble round in various stereotypical characters without any actual personalities or character, they are surprisingly dull and deadly unfunny.
Watching this almost makes me feel insulted that someone in TV land decided that this was all the entertainment I needed for a Friday evening.
Stupid, unfunny and, ultimately, appalling
MovieAddict201612 July 2004
Kevin Pollak plays Billy Crystal's role from ANALYZE THIS (1999) in THE DON'S ANALYST (1997), a film that (surprisingly) came out two years before ANALYZE THIS and yet is much, much worse, using the same concept to ill effect.
Robert Loggia is no Robert De Niro and Pollak does his best to act funny. But this movie just isn't funny. It uses the same premise as ANALYZE THIS with 1/16 of the laughs. Instead, it's a crude, stupid made-for-TV National Lampoon movie that isn't quite as hideous as GOLF PUNKS but still a movie that I wouldn't ever want to see again.
Compared to some other comedies by National Lampoon this is OK but compared to *most* movies it's one of the worst I've ever seen. A full turkey for this.
0/5
Robert Loggia is no Robert De Niro and Pollak does his best to act funny. But this movie just isn't funny. It uses the same premise as ANALYZE THIS with 1/16 of the laughs. Instead, it's a crude, stupid made-for-TV National Lampoon movie that isn't quite as hideous as GOLF PUNKS but still a movie that I wouldn't ever want to see again.
Compared to some other comedies by National Lampoon this is OK but compared to *most* movies it's one of the worst I've ever seen. A full turkey for this.
0/5
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