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 | mafia boss | mob boss | sexual intercourse | mobster | 

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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

In the original script, there were more scenes in which Dr. Sobel (Billy Crystal) received gifts from Paul Vitti (Robert De Niro). In one of them, former Yankee great Phil Rizzuto, at the request of his friend Paul Vitti, would give Dr. Sobel his spike shoes because Dr. Sobel is a Yankees fan (which Billy Crystal is in real-life).

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Goofs

When the Jeep rear-ends the Lincoln, the dashboard lights are all off, indicating the headlights are off. Outside of the vehicle, the lights are all on.

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Quotes

Dr. Ben Sobel: What happened with your wife last night?
Boss Paul Vitti: I wasn't with my wife, I was with my girlfriend.
Dr. Ben Sobel: Are you having marriage problems?
Boss Paul Vitti: No.
Dr. Ben Sobel: Then why do you have a girlfriend?
Boss Paul Vitti: What, are you gonna start moralizing on me?
Dr. Ben Sobel: No, I'm not, I'm just trying to understand, why do you have a girlfriend?
Boss Paul Vitti: I do things with her I can't do with my wife.
Dr. Ben Sobel: Why can't you do them with your wife?
Boss Paul Vitti: Hey, that's the mouth she kisses my kids goodnight with! What are you, crazy?

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Deep End of the Ocean/Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels/Cruel Intentions/Analyze This/Wing Commander (1999)

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Soundtracks

Angelina (The Waitress At The Pizzeria)
Written by Allan Roberts (as Allen Roberts), Doris Fisher, Louis Prima and Paolo Citarella
Performed by Louis Prima
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under license from EMI Music Special Markets

User Reviews

A Fine Comedy Treat

Analyze this is a fine movie, with a great cast of likable characters and an interesting storyline. Billy Crystal plays Ben Sobel a psycho-therapist who practises in the shadow of his brilliant father, and is due to marry the woman of his dreams (Lisa Kudrow). Robert De Niro plays Paul Vitti, a mafia crime boss who is struggling with his emotions and his libido. This satirical slant on the classic mobster movies is excellently played out by Crystal and De Niro, who form a formidable comedy duo, with plenty of laughs.

Rated 15 'Analyze This' doesn't shy away from profanity and violence, ensuring that it fits into the mobster theme seamlessly, delivering us a highly enjoyable movie without offending fans of the mobster genre.

8/10