Starring: Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal, Lisa Kudrow, Chazz Palminteri, Kresimir Novakovic Directed By: Harold Ramis Average Rating: Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: VHS Tape Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Original recording reissued, Special Edition, NTSC Label: Warner Home Video Number of Items: 1 Release Date: April 04, 2000 Running Time: 108 minutes Theatrical Release Date: March 05, 1999
Amazon.com essential video: Cast Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal together in a film and it should be a sucker's bet as to who's going to be funnier and who's going to give the more nuanced performance. Somehow, though, De Niro walks away with most of the laughs in Analyze This, a buddy action-comedy about a mob boss (De Niro, natch) suffering from panic attacks who makes a nebbishy shrink (Crystal, natch) an offer he can't refuse--actually, it's not really an offer, it's a command. The good doctor is forced to help the gangster get in touch with his feelings. Had the brilliant TV series The Sopranos not underscored how thin and watery and shticky director-cowriter Harold Ramis's approach to such potentially rich material actually is, the movie--a hit in theaters and De Niro's biggest film ever--would seem more fresh and kicky. De Niro's definitely a hoot as the ever milder menace, and Crystal actually concentrates on giving a credible performance opposite the acting legend (alas, he doesn't turn his character's fear of his patient into inspired comedy, as Alan Arkin did in Grosse Pointe Blank). The conclusion devolves into the requisite gunplay, and Chazz Palminteri and Lisa Kudrow are criminally wasted as an opposing mob boss and Crystal's fiancée, respectively, but overall, it's breezy fun. --David Kronke
Comedy or Drama? I know that "Analyze This" was marketed as a comedy but is a movie that makes fun of a man being thrown out of a seven story window really that funny? Robert DeNiro spoofs his gangster image (four letter words and all) as Paul Vitti the gangster who turns psychiatrist Ben Sobol's (Billy Crystal)life upside down when he turns up for therapy sessions. Director Ramis seems to have had trouble in drawing the line between a comedy spoof and a straight gangster drama. I mean there are brutal murders taking place all over this movie. The situation where Crystal walks into a gangster summit meeting unopposed is hard to believe. These are supposed to be the smartest criminal minds in the U.S. not dumb gangsters. There are some good comedic moments in the film, however one never knows when and where to take the plot elements seriously or lightly.You know the film is in trouble when the best comedic moments are in the trailer. The rest of the cast, with the exception of Joe Viterelli as "Jelly" DeNiro's henchman are largely wasted. Lisa Kudrow as Crystal's love interest hardly has more than a cameo and Chazz Palminteri has little to do as DeNiro's chief nemesis. If you blink you'll miss Bill Macy (of TV's Maude fame). Comedy or Drama? Only Harold Ramis knows for sure.
Humor Brought to The Mob DeNiro suffers panic attacks and is conflicted about his father; Crystal is a Manhattan shrink with a "normal" clientele trying to get married to his girlfriend, Lisa Kudrow. En route, DeNiro makes Crystal an "offer" he can't refuse (to help DeNiro better understand himself), suspects Crystal of ratting him out to the Feds (Crystal had backed out), and finally achieves his breakthrough just as he is is about to knock Crystal off.
Good clean fun, with DeNiro getting more than his share of the laughs.
Seriously Funny This is one of the best comedies I have watched. The plot itself; a mafia mobster with anxiety disorder seeks psychiatric help; sounds very promising for a excellent comedy of lighter vein.
SPOOF PROOF If you'd like to see and hear Billy Crystal at the top of his game, while Robert De Niro does a terrific parody of some of his previous roles, go no further. This movie has something for everyone, including a very hip score, as well as a surprise appearance by Tony Bennette. Try to beat that combination for some entertainment on a chilly night in front of the television, along with a fire in your fireplace, a glass of Champagne and a bowl of popcorn, shared by the one you love. Tony Horowitz [...]
Masterpiece! Ever thought about a psychiatrist interacting with a leader of a gang? Well, this is what this movie will be all about!
Paul Vitti (Robert Deniro) is the leader of a very powerful gang of New York City, he can get himself anything he demands; anything but happiness. As we can see, this guy is being tortured by some of the dark memories from his childhood, and a psychiatrist is what he exactly needs.
Ben Sobol (Billy Crystal) is a divorced psychiatrist who is about to merry another person, a news reporter (Lisa Kudrow). During his well planned honeymoon, Paul paid him a visit seeking emergency treatments to turn him into a happy person. Ben wants no part of this, you can't do much with a gun pointed at your face eh?
Could he handle it? Well, watch this movie! This movie tells you an unique story with many fascinating jokes, a great plot and... hehe you will see.
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