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Starring Robert DeNiro, Billy Crystal, Lisa Kudrow, Joseph Viterelli, Chazz Palminteri. Directed
by Harold Ramis.
Paul Vitti (DeNiro) is a New York mob boss who's feeling stressed and under pressure, what with a recent attempt on his life, and an upcoming big meeting between all the bosses in the United States. His loyal sidekick Jelly (Viterelli) is run into by a local shrink Ben Sobol (Crystal), so when his boss suggests he's in need of a "head doctor", Jelly brings Paul to Ben's office. Reluctantly, Ben gives a bit of advice and Paul thinks he's cured. He's not, and he seeks out Ben in Miami, who is there marrying a local reporter Laura MacNamara (Kudrow). Interrupting the wedding party, Ben's bride is not at all happy a famous gangster is a client of Ben's. She's even more peeved when a body falls out the window into her wedding reception, stopping the wedding before it's completed. Upon return to New York, Paul is more uptight than ever, and is under pressure by his mob family to get rid of Ben, lest it show his rivals any weakness, especially his chief nemisis Sindone (Palminteri). But Paul resists, as Ben begins to search into Paul's past and discovers the source of his current inability to be his old ruthless self. Meanwhile, the F.B.I. is on Ben's case, manipulating him to turn against Paul. But Ben continues trying to help Paul successfully handle the pressures of his job and the upcoming big meeting. The promos on TV give the impression that Analyse This is just a silly, lightweight spoof, but it is actually a more substantial satire of both mob movies and psychiatry. And it is often, and surprisingly, hilarious. Director Ramis, who co-wrote the script, includes considerable amounts of mafia style characters, liberally laced with tough talk and profanity. But what stands out for me is the restraint he's shown with the humour - there's precious little by way of slapstick or dumb-and-dumber jokes. And while events move along pretty much as expected, there are a few surprises along the way. DeNiro smoothly adopts his Godfather - Goodfellas persona, and is uproariously funny from start to finish. Following his strong comic showing in Wag The Dog, he displays great comic timing and surprising chemistry with Crystal. Under more control than usual, Crystal is also excellent, delivering a performance that includes a very funny mimic of a cocky little wise guy. Palminteri is also solid, delivering a straight-faced mafia tough guy who threatens someone's life when he doesn't understand him. Perhaps the best part of the movie is the performance of veteran mafia sidekick Viterelli, who is the loyal, sympathetic muscle who doesn't understand Paul's problems, but protects him from harm anyway. Kudrow delivers her standard Phoebe impression, and the act is wearing a bit thin. She adds little to the movie - her presence tends to slow down the comedy. The script is quite good - the comedy is generated primarily through the dialogue between the characters and often sneaks up on you. I was laughing a lot.   
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