Analyze This (1999, DVD)

Have you ever wanted Hollywood to release a movie about the head of a crime family who is falling apart at "work" and needs to see a shrink to help him regain his emotions, thus his tough guy status? Me neither.. but it just so happens that they released one anyway. Here's the gyst.

Plot: If Analyze This has something going for it, it's the originality of the plot. Most of us just don't envision a mob boss who needs to get in touch with his feelings. Give the movie a chance, though, and you will. Robert Deniro plays Paul Vitti, the head of a NY crime family, the NY crime family. Vitti's entire life has been spent in the presence of wiseguys, hitmen, bosses, the works. Now that he's been in the "game" for so long, he's starting to slip. Herein lies the problem. Upon seeing a very good family friend whacked right in front of his eyes, he plummets even further in his anxiety and depression. He even experiences several panic attacks that he believes are minor heart problems. When a nurse practitioner tells him otherwise and suggests that he has a mental disorder (much to the dismay of said nurse practitioner afterwards), he decides that he should see a psychologist. In secret, of course.

Enter Billy Crystal's Dr. Ben Sobol, a man with insecurity problems of his own, due to his exceedingly successful father's similar medical practice. After a fender-bender on the streets of NYC, a business card later, NY's most notorious gangster is sitting in Sobol's office, demanding treatment. Mostly due to intimidation, Sobol agrees to assist Vitti with his pressing problems. Throughout the first half of the film, it is Vitti who contacts Sobol at the most inconvenient (and sometimes hilarious) moments to have "sessions" (who could say no? Actually, Sobol says no once and is thrown into a shark tank, so that answers that question). Crystal's character digs up more than he ever imagined possible, and soon Deniro is spilling things about his life that no one has probably ever lived long enough to repeat.. but will it help either of them at the film's climax, a meeting of all the big mafia bosses in the country?

Acting: Personally, I thought the film was acted well enough, but upon watching it the second time, I hadn't remembered watching it the first, which doesn't say a lot to it's credit.. I kept saying "I think I've seen this before.. yeah, I know I have." Deniro is pretty plain in his portrayal of Vitti. Some may disagree with me, but I believe Billy Crystal was much better in the role of Dr. Sobol. He is far less annoying than in many of his previous film efforts, in my opinion. His character actually has character for once, instead of simply being there to crack jokes and act like an idiot. Also, the bits with Deniro weeping uncontrollably fell short of their humorous intentions.. except the bit near the end, where he has an emotional breakthrough and cries (whilst refusing to pick up his weapon) as he and Crystal are fired upon by two of the deadliest hitmen in the country.

There is something to be said for the supporting cast, though not all of it good. Lisa Kudrow, as Crystal's fiance, is very unconvincing, and even annoying at times, though I guess she pulls off the part, albeit painfully. Her voice reminded me of when someone slowly lets the air out of a balloon. Comically squeaky. Some of the best supporting bits are given to the viewer by Joe Viterelli as Jelly, Vitti's slack-jawed, half-witted right hand man. Chazz Palminteri is also great as competing head boss Primo Sidone, but unfortunately he isn't in the movie that much.

Script: Basic. I don't remember any parts of the movie making me laugh out loud, only bringing a chuckle or a grin at most, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Movies that try too hard to be hilarious often fall flat on their faces. The main problem I have with the script, though, was the excessive use of the F word. I gather mobsters like to swear, but sometimes the profanity seemed to be simply thrown in, even when it had no place, or wasn't even funny. Aside from that, there were very few dramatic or touching moments, bringing the movie down another notch in some viewers' perspectives, and in truth, not much action either.

It could have been a lot worse, but overall, Analyze This is an average film with very good actors, which even they cannot completely salvage.