Analyze This movie storyline. Ben Sobol, Psychiatrist, has a few problems: His son spies on his patients when they open up their heart, his parents don’t want to attend his upcoming wedding and his patients’ problems don’t challenge him at all. Paul Vitti, Godfather, has a few problems as well: Sudden anxiety attacks in public, a certain disability to kill people and his best part ceasing service when needed. One day, Ben unfortunately crashes into one of Vitti’s cars.
The exchange of Ben’s business card is followed by a business visit of Don Paul Vitti himself, who wants to be free of inner conflict within two weeks, before all the Mafia Dons meet. Now, Ben Sobol feels somewhat challenged, as his wedding is soon, his only patient keeps him busy by regarding Ben’s duty as a 24 hour standby and the feds keep forcing him to spy on Paul Vitti. And how do you treat a patient who usually solves problems with a gun?
Analyze This is a 1999 gangster comedy film directed by Harold Ramis, who co-wrote the screenplay with playwright Kenneth Lonergan and Peter Tolan. The film stars Robert De Niro as a mafioso and Billy Crystal as his psychiatrist. Other starring are Lisa Kudrow, Molly Shannon, Joe Viterelli, Chazz Palminteri, Kresh Novakovic, Joseph Rigano and Max Casella. A sequel, Analyze That, was released in 2002.
About the Story
Mob boss Paul Vitti narrates a brief history of the Mafia: in the wake of Albert Anastasia’s death, the dispute over who among Vito Genovese, Carlo Gambino and Joe Bananas will ascend to mob supremacy results in the Apalachin Meeting in upstate New York. The meeting is raided by the FBI, and the Mafia does not call a summit again until the present day.
Vitti and his consigliere Dominic are discussing the upcoming meeting and the Mafia’s present-day problems. However, just as Dominic warns Vitti to look out for Primo Sindone (an up-and-coming Mafia Don who wants to be capo di tutti capi), gunmen drive past and kill Dominic.
Psychiatrist Ben Sobel is dealing with his own problems: his son from his first marriage listens to his sessions, his patients are not challenging enough, and his wedding to Laura MacNamara is coming soon. Sobel unknowingly rear-ends a car belonging to Vitti and the trunk opens, revealing a man bound and gagged inside, which Sobel and his son do not notice because they are arguing. Jelly, one of Vitti’s made men, takes the blame, but Sobel gives Jelly his business card in case he changes his mind about compensation.
During a meeting with his crew, Vitti suffers a panic attack and tells Jelly that he needs to see a psychiatrist, but it has to be kept a secret and Jelly recommends Sobel. Vitti visits Sobel, claiming his friend needs therapy. Sobel impresses Vitti enough to want to see him whenever necessary. Sobel goes to Miami for his wedding and Vitti, Jelly and the crew follow. Vitti explains he has been suffering from erectile dysfunction and Sobel suggests the source of the problem might be stress.
The next day Vitti has another panic attack and requests to see Sobel. Vitti explains his history with his father to Sobel, who thinks this might have something to do with Vitti’s problems. The wedding is interrupted when an assassin is killed by one of Vitti’s thugs. Sobel confronts Vitti and argues with him until he becomes angry. Sobel suggests he resolve his anger issue by calling Primo Sindone and telling him how he feels. Vitti phones Primo and starts by telling him how he feels but ends up threatening to kill him.
Analyze This (1999)
Directed by: Harold Ramis
Starring: Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal, Lisa Kudrow, Molly Shannon, Joe Viterelli, Chazz Palminteri, Kresh Novakovic, Joseph Rigano, Max Casella
Screenplay by: Kenneth Lonergan, Peter Tolan, Harold Ramis
Production Design by: Wynn Thomas
Cinematography by: Stuart Dryburgh
Film Editing by: Craig Herring, Christopher Tellefsen
Costume Design by: Aude Bronson-Howard
Set Decoration by: Leslie E. Rollins
Art Direction by: Jefferson Sage
Music by: Howard Shore
MPAA Rating: R for language, a scene of sexuality and some violence.
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
Release Date: March 5, 1999
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