Analyze That /
Rated: R |
Starring:
Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal, Lisa Kudrow, Joe Viterelli, Brian
Rogalski |
Directed
by: Harold Ramis |
Produced
by: Jane Rosenthal, Paula Weinstein, Robert De Niro, Billy
Crystal, Barry Levinson |
Written by:
Harold Ramis, Peter Tolan, Peter Steinfeld |
Distributor: Warner Brothers
|
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Analyze That is
funny at times, but never executes with a unique flair; this is a textbook
comedy with textbook characters, but does without a doubt please audiences. This
is one film that is exactly what it is supposed to be; there are no big
surprises, gigantic laughs, or moments that simply work on all areas of the
board, but it promises us a good time and we receive one. Billy Crystal and
Robert DeNiro still have excellent chemistry, and are without out a doubt
hysterical. Will there be an Analyze Them coming any time soon? No. But
this sequel works just as good as any buddy comedy in recent memory.
Analyze That reintroduces the same characters, who first appeared in the
original, Analyze This. As a direct continuation of the first, That
opens up to the main character of both films, Paul Vitti (Robert DeNiro). Vitti
is in prison, due to his work for the mob, but he desperately needs to get out.
This is for two reasons: to gain revenge on some of his old mobster rivals and
to escape from someone who is trying to kill him in prison. The only way he can
possibly get out is to utilize his old therapist, Dr. Ben Sobol (Billy Crystal).
Dr. Sobol will hopefully be able to gain legal rights to Paul, who will be able
to house him on a restricted parole.
Vitti will not be able to accomplish this easily; he is a murderer, a con-man,
and a mob boss. His approach to gaining a ticket out of jail is simply by
pretending that he’s insane. Vitti begins to sleep on an irregular schedule,
sing songs from the musical Westside Story, and play dumb. The prison
hires Dr. Sobol to analyze his behavior to determine what is happening to him.
Sobol concludes that he has gone temporarily insane, and non stressful
activities will help him get back to a normal mental state. They let Sobol have
full possession of Vitti, and his home is now classified as a small institution
for prisoners, though it only houses one. From past experiences with this man,
seen in Analyze This, Sobol isn’t exactly happy to have Vitti.
Dr.
Sobol expects that Vitti has adopted this state of mind to get out of prison,
but still decides to take him in. The two leave the jail in his car, and Vitti
still appears to be ill-minded after the engine is turned on. Little does Sobol
know, Vitti is just making sure that no one near the prison realizes that he is
in fact making up the entire sickness, and hypnotizing the prison guards into
thinking that it is real. After driving for a few minutes, Vitti returns to his
normal, mob, state of mind. Sobol is tempted to take him right back to being
locked up in a small cell, but for some reason, resists. Vitti informs the
doctor that he will have some of his fellow mobsters pick him up when at his
house, but that is something much too nutty for him to allow. Over the next few
days, Sobol and Vitti share arguments, struggles, and find that they have very
similar personalities.
Analyze That isn’t as original and fresh as Analyze This was made out
to be, but still offers an entertaining experience. Crystal and DeNiro deliver
their fair share of laughs, and I am still pleased with what they have to offer
as comedians. The storyline has a considerable amount of confliction that allows
the comedy to excel. With the terrible choices at local movie theatres today,
Analyze That is probably one of the better picks.
-Danny, Bucket Reviews
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