Analyze This (1999)

A comedy about a psychiatrist whose number one patient is an insecure mob boss.

Director:

Harold Ramis

Writers:

Kenneth Lonergan (story), Peter Tolan (story)

Stars:

Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal, Lisa Kudrow

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 4 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Paul Vitti
Billy Crystal	...	Dr. Ben Sobel
Lisa Kudrow	...	Laura MacNamara Sobel
Chazz Palminteri	...	Primo Sidone
Kresh Novakovic	...	'50s Gangster (as Kresimir Novakovic)
Bart Tangredi	...	Young Vitti Sr.
Michael Straka	...	Young Dominic Manetta
Joseph Rigano	...	Dominic Manetta (as Joe Rigano)
Joe Viterelli	...	Jelly
Richard C. Castellano	...	Jimmy Boots (as Richard Castellano)
Molly Shannon	...	Caroline
Max Casella	...	Nicky Shivers
Frank Pietrangolare	...	Tuna
Kyle Sabihy	...	Michael Sobel
Bill Macy	...	Dr. Isaac Sobel

Storyline

Ben Sobol, Psychiatrist, has a few problems: His son spies on his patients when they open up their heart, his parents don't want to attend his upcoming wedding and his patients' problems don't challenge him at all. Paul Vitti, Godfather, has a few problems as well: Sudden anxiety attacks in public, a certain disability to kill people and his best part ceasing service when needed. One day, Ben unfortunately crashes into one of Vitti's cars. The exchange of Ben's business card is followed by a business visit of Don Paul Vitti himself, who wants to be free of inner conflict within two weeks, before all the Mafia Dons meet. Now, Ben Sobol feels somewhat challenged, as his wedding is soon, his only patient keeps him busy by regarding Ben's duty as a 24 hour standby and the feds keep forcing him to spy on Paul Vitti. And how do you treat a patient who usually solves problems with a gun?

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Plot Keywords:

sex scene | patient | mafia | psychiatrist | wedding | 

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Taglines:

New York's most powerful gangster is about to get in touch with his feelings. YOU try telling him his 50 minutes are up.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, a scene of sexuality and some violence

Details

Country:

USA Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 March 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Analízame

Filming Locations:

Bal Harbour, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,383,507, 7 March 1999, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$106,885,658

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$176,885,658

Company Credits

Production Co:

Village Roadshow Pictures, NPV Entertainment, Baltimore Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Original Director Richard Loncraine quit over creative differences.

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Goofs

Prior to the guy falling from the hotel window, there is a lot of gunplay with the guy chasing Jelly and Jimmy down a short hallway in Vitti's suite. As they pass the hall closet, there is a wire visible that pulls the closet open.

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Quotes

Boss Paul Vitti: Hey, I got news for you, you little two-bit prick, son-of-a-bitch, rat-bastard you did nothing for me! Whatever you did the other day didn't take! I'm still fucked up! You did fucking NOTHING for me!
Dr. Ben Sobel: Hey, what do you expect? I saw you for five minutes! I can't work miracles, Mr. Viti! And let me tell you something, I do not appreciate it when someone sneaks into my hotel room and kidnaps me in the middle of the night. I have a life, Mr. Viti, I have a family, and I have a serious practice, and ...

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Connections

Referenced in Siskel & Ebert: Mickey Blue Eyes/The Adventures of Sebastian Cole/The Muse/Teaching Mrs. Tingle/Cabaret Balkan (1999)

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Soundtracks

The Best Is Yet To Come
Written by Cy Coleman and Carolyn Leigh
Performed by Tony Bennett
Courtesy of Columbia Records

User Reviews

Good mixture of comedy and crime-action

I was looking forward to seeing ANALYZE THIS for many reasons. One, Billy Crystal is one great and funny comedian. Two, Robert De Niro is the king of crime-action movies. I mean, ever saw THE UNTOUCHABLES? Three, the storyline did seem like a very good idea that had never been done before. And four, I love Lisa Kudrow. I was not disappointed with this movie. There could have been more, but it is surely worth seeing. There were only a few instances that I started to really laugh, but there were plenty of good and funny jokes, as well as some good touches of mobster-like crime.

Ben Sobol (Billy Crystal) is a family psychiatrist who has a son and is engaged to the beautiful Laura MacNamara (Lisa Kudrow). He gets into a car accident with a dim-witted man Jelly (Joe Viterelli), who happens to be the right-hand man to Paul Vitti, (Robert De Niro) the most powerful mobster in New York. This leads to Vitti seeking the help of Sobol. Vitti gets into very emotional moods and anxiety attacks. He refuses to admit it because he doesn't want to show weakness before a big meeting with the heads of the mob group. Sobol must help Vitti realize his problems with his father, as well as try to survive among the gangsters.

The plot is very original and cool, but the unlikely mixture of crime and comedy might leave a stale taste in your mouth. The curse words in this movie can get a little out of hand for a comedy, but that's because of the crime added to it. They did not bother me at all, in fact I thought it was funny and pulled of very well, especially in scenes between Crystal and De Niro.

Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro work great together. Both do very good jobs at their performances, even though De Niro's crying scenes seemed a little fake. The one at the end was getting better, but they still looked forced. The gorgeous Lisa Kudrow, although probably a bit under-played, did a good job too. I also think Joe Viterelli did a good job as the stupid, funny mobster. He certainly looks the part of a mobster, and I think the comic touch in his role was pulled off well.

There were a few plot holes, however, such as the one with Billy Crystal's character having problems with his father. This is, arguably, used to further the plot between De Niro and his father, but it is never resolved for Crystal. There are also a few jokes that didn't work, but the jokes that do work completely make up for them. This movie is different from your average SNL-alumni comedy movie, but it's full of funny jokes and characters and is certainly worth a rent.