Analyze This
Directed by Harold Ramis
Starring: Robert DeNiro, Billy Crystal, Lisa Kudrow, and Chaz Palmenteri
Rated: R

Sometimes the advertisement really does give away the whole movie. If you've seen the trailer for Analyze This, then you've already more or less seen the film and know the basic plot. Robert DeNiro plays a New York Italian mob boss suffering from stress who gets a helping and humorous hand from a local "shrink" played by Billy Crystal. Regrettably, the teaser also gives away all the humorous moments, as well.

Surprisingly Robert DeNiro, in one of his rare comedy turns, is actually funnier than comedian-turned-actor Billy Crystal. DeNiro's charming portrayal of an exasperated mob boss given to crying fits is delightful to watch. Enjoyable gangster movie in-jokes abound, and DeNiro's self-mockery wins the day. Crystal, on the other hand, turns in another passable performance as one of his stock characters, a befuddled and put-upon professional for whom nothing goes right. His fiancé, Lisa Kudrow, only plays a more muted version of the Phoebe character she portrays on the NBC hit Friends, and as such is disappointing. Contrastingly, DeNiro's bodyguard, Jelly, shines in the role of the self-proclaimed moronic henchmen.

Although the plot is cleverly written, it is also utterly predictable and offers few surprises. Cinematically, there is nothing about the film's sound, feel, or vision that is particularly noteworthy. Of course, this movie wasn't meant to be genre-busting. It was meant to make a lot of money by sharing a few easy laughs. On the Steve Baldwin Movie Comedy Laugh Scale:

this movie falls soundly between 3 and 4. You will expel more than a few generous guffaws, but you won't hurt yourself either.

An added caution, this movie is worthy of its 'R' rating and is clearly intended for mature audiences only. There are numerous references to male anatomy among other vulgarities, one sex scene, a splash of nudity, and some violent scenes that are extraneous for such a lighthearted comedy. The movie could have worked perfectly well without these elements.

DeNiro is not likely to be nominated for his work in this role as Jack Nicholsen was for As Good As It Gets, the more ambitious film of the two. However, it's great to see him stepping out and doing something outside his usual routine. Watching him parodying roles from movies he's famous for, particularly Good Fellas and The Godfather 2, is the one real reason to go see this film.

Steven S. Baldwin  (3/26/99)