The mafia’s Paul Vitti is back in prison and will need some serious counseling when he gets out. Naturally, he returns to his analyst Dr. Ben Sobel for help and finds that Sobel needs some serious help himself as he has inherited the family practice, as well as an excess stock of stress.
“Analyze That” 2002 Movie Review: A Sequel That Struggles to Recapture the Magic
Introduction “Analyze That,” directed by Harold Ramis and released in 2002, is the sequel to the successful comedy “Analyze This” (1999). The film reunites stars Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal as mob boss Paul Vitti and psychiatrist Ben Sobel, respectively. While attempting to build on the humorous chemistry of its predecessor, “Analyze That” delves deeper into the unlikely relationship between a hardened criminal and his neurotic therapist, but with mixed results.
Plot Overview The story picks up with Paul Vitti serving time in Sing Sing, where he appears to be targeted by fellow inmates. His behavior becomes increasingly erratic, leading to suspicions that he’s faking mental instability to get an early release. Enter Dr. Ben Sobel, who is called upon to determine Vitti’s mental state. Soon, Vitti is released into Sobel’s custody, leading to a series of comedic situations as Vitti tries to adjust to a legitimate life, while Sobel grapples with his patient’s disruptive influence on his personal and professional life.
Cast and Performances Robert De Niro plays Paul Vitti with his trademark charm, balancing tough-guy bravado with comedic timing. Billy Crystal’s portrayal of Dr. Ben Sobel provides a neurotic and humorous counterpoint, echoing the dynamic that made the first film a success. Despite their efforts, the script doesn’t always provide the duo with material that matches their talents, resulting in a performance that feels less fresh and more forced than in the original.
Direction and Cinematography Harold Ramis directs “Analyze That” with an understanding of comedy dynamics, but struggles to keep the sequel feeling new and engaging. The cinematography is functional, focusing on the actors’ performances without offering much in terms of innovative visuals or memorable set pieces.
Themes and Humor The film explores themes of identity, change, and redemption, with Vitti attempting to leave his mob life behind, albeit clumsily. The humor often derives from the clash of Vitti’s mobster mentality with mundane civilian tasks, a concept that offers some laughs but often falls into repetitive patterns.
Conclusion “Analyze That” strives to recapture the comedic spirit of “Analyze This” but doesn’t quite succeed, largely due to a less engaging script and predictable plot. While it has moments of genuine humor and charm, thanks largely to its leads, it lacks the originality and impact of its predecessor.
Final Thoughts For fans of the original film, “Analyze That” offers another opportunity to enjoy the chemistry between De Niro and Crystal, even if it doesn’t reach the heights of their first outing. It serves as light entertainment but might not resonate beyond those looking for a casual comedy experience.
