Analyze This
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Movie Reviews of Analyze This
Movie Review: A pleasant comedy with a great DeNiro performance
Summary: 4 Stars
In Analyze This, Billy Crystal once again proves his comedic wit, but it's another actor formally known for his dramatic roles that makes the bigger splash: Robert DeNiro!Before this, the mere idea of DeNiro playing comedy could have been laughable. His strikingly dramatic screen presence as mob bosses, criminals and other dangerous men had been pounded into America culture. But it only took Analyze This to start a whole new career for DeNiro, and since then it's something both studios and the actor have taken advantage of. And that's simply because DeNiro is perfect for comedy. Sure he's still a mob boss in this film, but he's a mob boss with emotional problems. The mere sight of DeNiro sobbing like a five-year-old girl is hysterical. He manages to upstage the fantastic Crystal in every scene they're in together. And it's this role reversal that is truly makes this film work. Crystal is actually playing the straight man for once, letting the normally rigid DeNiro be the goofball.
While Analyze This may not be Crystal's greatest comedy, it does stand out in the crowd, if not only for establishing DeNiro's comedic qualities. Some of its weaknesses though include similarities between it and another patient/psychiatrist film, What About Bob (Which is, in my opinion, the funnier of the two), most notably the plot point of the patient following his doctor on vacation. Also we don't find out that DeNiro's character has a family until too late in the film. When we see him in bed with a girlfriend, it's not until halfway through we hear that he has a wife, and we're not told he has a son (an important plot element later in the film) until more than halfway into it. These faults are minor though, and don't detract much from the overall film.
Analyze This is simply an enjoyable comedy that first explored a fantastic actor's comedic side, and provides yet another Crystal success.
Movie Review: Could be better, but a still a cool mob movie.
Summary: 4 Stars
This popular gangster comedy is good, but I'll admit, it could've been better. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the movie and couldn't find too many flaws, but I thought the movie should've been more involving for its excellent premise. I mean, put the one and only Robert DeNiro, Billy Crystal and Groundhog Day director Harold Ramis together and you should have brilliance. Analyze This at times just doesn't analyze itself too brilliantly. Still, I really liked the movie. The characters are fresh, intriguing and really original - especially DeNiro's - and are a delight to watch. Lisa Kudrow's character was an interesting one but I felt she was underused for her talent. Billy Crystal is an utter delight to watch. He has a cool, calm character and gives one of the best performances in the film. The movie is very original and the script is very well written. I appreciated Harold Ramis's effort, but a few more camera tricks or - I repeat - scenes with Lisa Kudrow could've improved the movie. Out of all this, however, I just couldn't go past the character of Jelly. I respected him the most out of all the characters in the movie and whenever he was on-screen; the movie was a delight. His character is one of the most involving ones in the movie and I just thought he was a really good man to take up screen space. Joe Viterelli plays him excellently. Well, through all this review I've mostly flawed Analyze This, but I really think it is worth your viewing time and it still worthy of a strong 4 or 3.5 stars out of 5. I highly recommend this movie if you want a film that blends comedy, drama and mostly importantly mayhem together in a really cool fasion.DVD STUFF: 4/5. A good DVD. Very cool outtakes which will have you in chuckles, some great commentaries and nice production notes. I highly recommend The Sopranos Second Season and get this film' deal. Cool shtuff!
Movie Review: Tender Mobsters Welcome Distraught Psychiatrist!
Summary: 4 Stars
I am not a huge Robert De Niro fan, and I am generally even less excited about seeing Billy Crystal grace the screen. Nothing personal, Mr. Crystal, you are a genuine talent, just a little over exposed in your saturation of the market. In the interest of "keeping an open mind", I decided to give this movie a try with particular consideration to a premise with seemingly unlimited potential for comic effect. As it turned out, Crystal's subtle portrayal of a polite and contemplative psychiatrist forced to deal with the demanding, "in your face" behavior of an ultra sensitive mobster . . . Well, the very idea is preposterous, and watching it unfold with tough guy De Niro alternating between fits of obnoxious anger and emotional distress (sobbing and the like) results in a case or two of falling out of your seat laughter (and I am not a person who laughs easily)! To make matters worse, Crystal realizes the absolute necessity for HIMSELF to be in control! He tries desperately to take charge (after all, his life is on the line!), but soon finds it impossible with DeNiro, and later even his sidekick (a slow, overweight, "just following orders", old school, mobster type) popping in and out of the good doctor's personal life like welcome customers at the local whorehouse! By the way, this prune faced, older gentleman is funny enough to actually start stealing the show at some points! I suppose blatant, outrageous violence and extremely foul language should be expected in a movie like this, but it detracted from much of the pure enjoyment. The screenplay was less than stellar, but the dialogue was crisp with a touch of good character development. Not unlike De Niro's character, the story falls apart a bit toward the end.Movie Review: Hilarious movie, good packaging on DVD
Summary: 4 Stars
I couldn't agree more with Heather Mann's review of this DVD. She's right on the money about the movie itself and the features on the DVD. Like Heather, I found the commentary by Crystal and DeNiro completely uninspired and flat. While I can understand Billy Crystal's awe over working with DeNiro, he just goes on and on about it and doesn't really offer us much about scenes or lines, etc. And, it was more than obvious that DeNiro wasn't actually watching the film as he made his comments. There's no question that DeNiro is a remarkable actor (and one of my all-time favorites), but I'm sorry, the man is boring as all get out in the commentary section. When Billy isn't gushing about "Bob," then we get commentary about how there was this massive search for a director over and over. I really expected that the commentary section would have lots of great behind-the-scenes stories and tidbits, but there weren't any.
The gag reel is cute, but not nearly as funny as you might expect. Combine the gag reel and the commentary and you'd swear that the actual filming required very few retakes.
The movie itself is very funny and actually pokes a little fun at the gangster stereotype that DeNiro and others have played so well in films. My favorite part invloves Dr. Sobel and Paul's discussion about hitting a pillow when you're angry to relive the tension. Paul pulls his gun and shoots several rounds into a throw pillow, and you can see Dr. Sobel's stunned expression as he recalls that "hit" doesn't mean the same thing for everyone.
Highly recommended, and I took off one star only because the commentary section should've/could've been better.
Movie Review: A Fun and Fanatical Film In The Mobster World!
Summary: 4 Stars
ANALYZE THIS is a funny film. Directed by Harold Ramis (Bedazzled, Groundhog Day, Caddyshack), this film takes a hysterical view of what it might be like it you took a vicious Mobster and put him into therapy.Starring and produced by Billy Crystal (The Princess Bride, Monsters Inc., When Harry Met Sally) as the psychiatrist who gets to treat Robert De Niro (Meet The Parents, Showtime, Frankenstein) as the Mobster with "issues". You have a comedic team that reminded me of the old Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis film. Coupled with the very funny performance of Lisa Kudrow (Friends, HangingUp) as the wife-to-be of Billy, this film has a lot of humor and energy.
The story is simple - De Niro needs a psychiatrist because he is becoming emotionally unstable regarding his feelings about the various crimes he is committing. Billy Crystal is forced to see him as his patient when he bumps into one of his Mobsters cars.
From ten on De Niro keeps interrupting Crystals life and wedding plans because he is becoming more and more unstable. There are some great performances by the stereo-typical performance of Italian Mafioso.
The DVD extras include a very funny gag real of all the mistakes the two stars has made and a great DVD commentary with Billy and Robert talking about the making of this film. Really worth this purchase - is the commentary alone. Robert DeNiro and Billy Crystal are hysterical together on and off camera!
This is a great film fo those who like light=hearted comedy and a story that keeps you intrigue and involved. Who knew Robert De Niro has such comic timing as well. A good film to have in your collection of DVD's (12-22-02)