Watch Analyze That
- R
- 2002
- 1 hr 36 min
-
5.9 (90,313)
Analyze That, released in 2002, is a comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and stars Robert De Niro as Paul Vitti, a former mob boss who is now in prison suffering from panic attacks. Billy Crystal returns as Ben Sobel, the psychiatrist who helped Vitti overcome his problems in the previous film, Analyze This. The film picks up where the first one left off, with Vitti being released from prison on the condition that he live with Sobel until he can get back on his feet. Sobel is doing his best to lead a normal life, running his therapy business and dealing with his family issues, but Vitti's arrival throws everything into chaos.
Vitti struggles to adjust to life on the outside, with his former associates no longer willing to work with him and his reputation in tatters. As a result, Vitti approaches Sobel for help getting back into the game. Sobel initially refuses but is eventually coerced into helping Vitti by the FBI, who believe that Vitti may have information on other mobsters.
As the film progresses, Vitti and Sobel work together to try and rebuild Vitti's reputation and reconnect with his old associates. However, they soon find themselves facing a number of challenges, including rival gangsters, corrupt FBI agents, and Vitti's own psychological problems.
The film features strong performances from its leads, with De Niro bringing a sense of vulnerability and humor to the role of Vitti, while Crystal is once again on top form as the hapless Sobel. The chemistry between the two actors is excellent, with their banter and arguments providing many of the film's funniest moments.
The supporting cast is also strong, with Lisa Kudrow returning as Sobel's wife Laura, Joe Viterelli as Vitti's former right-hand man Jelly, and Cathy Moriarty as his former love interest.
One of the film's strengths is its clever callbacks to the first film, with a number of scenes and gags referencing events from Analyze This. However, it also manages to stand on its own as a separate story, with a lot of new material and character development.
Despite its emphasis on comedy, Analyze That also has some poignant moments, particularly in its exploration of Vitti's emotions and his struggle to come to terms with his past. This adds depth to what could have been a purely superficial comedy.
The film's direction by Harold Ramis is solid, with a good balance between the comedic and dramatic elements. The script, by Peter Steinfeld and Harold Ramis, is witty and engaging, with a number of clever one-liners and set pieces.
Overall, Analyze That is an enjoyable and well-crafted comedy that builds on the strengths of its predecessor while also standing on its own. Its ensemble cast, clever writing, and strong direction make it a fun and satisfying watch.
Analyze That is a 2002 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9 and a MetaScore of 37.