Analyze That - Movie Review
Uploaded by Dimo Dimov on Jan 7, 2007 |
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Film Review Dimo Dimov
“Analyze That”
“Analyze That” created in 2002 is a sequel of the 1999 mob comedy "Analyze This". It is a rib-
tickling comedy sequel, no longer a tale of a charming psychiatrist keeping a mafia don sober. On the
contrary, it's the mafia godfather who exposes his shrink to the reality of the tough and indestructible
side to every human soul. The film depicts two stereotypical characters, the collected psychotherapist
and the notorious gangland figure. The unforeseeable events that override their lives ultimately
juxtapose them towards one other. Soon the audience is bound to realize the uncertain and unpredictable
truth about the characters created by Harold Ramis. As he both writes and directs this crime comedy,
Harold Ramis succeeds in exposing us to the achievements and ordeals of the characters lives through
light hearted comic relieves and intense unpredictable twists.
The story takes place in the late 90’s early 2000’s, entirely set in suburban New York. After being
locked up in Sing-Sing for 850 days, Paul Vitti's life, played by Robert De Niro, is threatened by
assassins. He fakes insanity and starts singing show tunes from West Side Story. Day after day, FBI
agents monitoring him are baffled as New York’s most notorious gangland figure walks around his cell
in a distressing stupor. This draws the attention of Ben Sobel, played by Billy Crystal, an analyst
who organizes Vitti to be released into his custody. Craving for some therapy himself, as he has
inherited the family profession, as well as an excess stock of pressure after the unexpected death of his
father, grieving Sobel talks Vitti into finding a regular job. At the same time, Vitti discovers that the
Rigazzi family is the one who want him dead, leading to his unsuccessful attempt of finding a legitimate
occupation. Nevertheless, luck strikes him and he finds employment working as a technical advisor on
the set of a mafia TV series. Meanwhile, FBI agents inform Sobel that Vitti has his old crew back
together, and may be planning something immense.
The heart of the story is held by the robust and lighthearted sole of the character of Vitti. Nevertheless
at the beginning stages of the film, the audience is provided little information about this notorious gang
figure. Soon after however, while being under the supervision and treatment of Dr. Sobel, Vitti appears
to be sincere about taking the cure and his deeper character history is revealed. His troubled past seems
to have brought him even more pity and disappointment in the present. Despite relating to gangs and
running them for the majority of his life, the real soul has been concealed for years under his superiority
and boss-like figure. Vitti’s unfortunate and adverse childhood seems to be the inner, most self-
destructive dilemma he had to confront and triumph over. Harold Ramis manages to illustrate this inner
character struggle when he juxtaposes his harsh mob figure of the present with the lost innocence of the
past. Through this, the audience is able to observe and understand the compassion and struggle he
possesses bringing out the tough side of every human soul.
The character of Ben Sobel, and his sometimes unusual methods of practice, stand out on their own.
His motto of “it’s a process”, greatly influences the protagonist’s outlook on life. Nevertheless,
in spite of his will to help Vitti, Sobel encounters problems of his own. His father had just died,
plunging him into an identity crisis in both his personal and professional lives. On the other hand, Sobel
does not have much of a choice and takes the notorious mafia leader in his custody, thus becoming
his patient and even worse, his houseguest , jeopardizing his reputation and life, yet giving help
to a confused and puzzled individual seeking a place in society. Regardless of the tremendous task,
Sobel’s natural gift plays throughout the film, bringing both his personal and professional character on
the screen and in the mind of the viewer. He develops from a hesitant, timid individual to a well
rounded, courageous being.
Despite demonstrating great will and determination, Vitti’s actions would prove unappreciated by
some old friends of his. Having been in the mafia family for the larger part of his life, Vitti finds
himself sickened and unwilling to take part of the cruel and malicious lifestyle he once did. Furthermore,
he finds himself in even deeper snag. While in prison, Vitti unwittingly begins building even
more reputation as a new and changed man, definitely not what the mob family wants. Soon he finds his
life threatened by an unknown source and is forced to fake insanity in order to save his life. At the same
time, he also discovers that the Rigazzi family is the one who want him dead. He reacts to this by telling
them that he is “out”, and is seeking a new line of work. Ultimately, using his old crook methods, Vitti is
able to frame the Rigazzi family and in turn leading to the arrest of the whole family and preventing a
mob war.
Renowned for his unique gifts in writing, directing and producing, Harold Ramis has lent his
proficiency to many of the most successful screen comedies made. This multitalented comic talent wrote
for Chicago's renowned Second City troupe and the National Lampoon radio show before co-scripting
the antic fraternity house romp, "National Lampoon's Animal House" (1978). Later on, he applies his
comedian intelligence to the scripts for "Animal House" and the similar "Meatballs" (1979), both of
which employed "SNL" cast members John Belushi and Bill Murray. Ramis made his directorial debut
with the hit comedy “Caddyshack”, which he co-wrote. Among his other directorial credits are
“Vacation”, “Club Paradise”, “Groundhog Day” (for which Ramis won the British Comedy Award and
shared a BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay), “Multiplicity”, “Stuart Saves His Family”, the
international hit “Analyze This” and the fantasy comedy “Bedazzled”, which he also co-wrote and
produced. He is currently working on a project with Owen Wilson and writer Gene Stupnitsky, due to be
complete middle 2007.
Working with Ramis is Director of Photography Ellen Kuras, three-time recipient of the Sundance
Film Festival’s Best Dramatic Cinematography Award. Producer Jane Rosenthal, founder of “Tribeca
Productions” and the “Tribeca Film Center” with Robert De Niro in 1988. She oversaw all aspects of the
project development and served as producer with De Niro. Another integral part of the production was
Executive Producer Chris Brigham, who was an executive producer on “Analyze This”, the first feature,
followed by “Analyze That”. Working with Ramis, they were able to accomplish the comic relevance of
the first, and bring it one step further in the second.
Harold Ramis co-wrote this production with another comedic writer Peter Tolan. His recent
screenwriting credits include the comedies “Stealing Harvard”, “America’s Sweethearts” (for which he
also served as executive producer), “What Planet Are You From?”, “My Fellow Americans”, and
“Bedazzled”, which was also directed and produced by Harold Ramis. Tolan and Ramis previously
collaborated on the comedy hit “Analyze This”, with Tolan receiving both screenplay and story credit
and again doing it in “Analyze That”.
After watching Analyze That I was amazed by how much goodwill the film was able to generate. I
was able to take the characters to heart and relate to them as they were real people. Both, De Niro and
Crystal have a blast, their on and off screen chemistry was translated on the screen and
in the characters they were portraying. Though the film is simply a rehash of the original it's still
charming, entertaining and motivating. Seeing this film is very similar to a great session at your
psychotherapist, with plenty of laughs. |
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