The older he gets, the funnier he wants to be. Or at least that is what it looks like to me when it comes to Mr. Robert De Niro. He used to be just a serious actor with movies like The Godfather: Part II, Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, and Raging Bull. But since then he has done Midnight Run, Mad Dog and Glory, and Wag the Dog to mix in with his usual, serious roles. I guess he is just looking for a new challenge.

In a way, De Niro (Ronin) mimics his acting career with his character Paul Vitti, mob crime boss. I say this because he is both serious in parts of the film (usually for comedic effect) while a softer, gentler mobster in other parts. But moving along. In the film Vitti just misses getting killed by a rival, which sets off some emotional reaction that causes him to start getting anxiety attacks. As a way to cure this problem before a big Mafia meeting to be held in several weeks, Vitti seeks out professional psychiatric help. As luck would have it, Vitti’s boy Jelly (Joe Viterelli, Mafia!) recently had a run in with a nice shrink by the name of Dr. Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal, My Giant). So Vitti goes to Sobel for help, Sobel says no thank you, and then Vitti persuades him to take him on as his patient. This doesn’t sit well with Sobel’s fiancée Laura (Lisa Kudrow, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion) who would like to get married and live a normal life. Dr. Sobel’s son Michael (Kyle Sabihy) thinks it’s cool, and likes to antagonize his dad. Speaking of dads, both Vitti and Sobel have issues with their dads. Of course Vitti’s primary concern is making sure his rival Primo Sidone (Chazz Palminteri) doesn’t whack him. But no matter what the issue, Crystal and De Niro make it funny along with a great supporting cast.

A few others in the film are Joseph Rigano, Richard C. Castellano, Molly Shannon, Bill Macy, Pat Cooper, Max Casella, and Frank Pietrangolare. Also Dr. Egon Spengler of Ghostbusters fame, or more formally known as Harold Ramis, directed the film.

Analyze This is a really funny movie that just works. There is a lot of subtle humor (mainly about the Mob) and plenty of just plain hilarious moments. Of course the plot is completely unbelievable, but I still give the film nine couches out of ten.

Last updated: Thursday, March 20, 2008 02:45:41 AM

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