SPOILERS
Creating a good film is dependent on countless factors, but one of the most important is the right choice in actors. In "Analyze This" Harold Ramis as director has the excellent partnership of Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro to work with.
Simply put, in this film, De Niro plays Crime Boss Paul Vitti who is experiencing emotional problems. Into this equation comes Psychiatrist Dr Ben Sobel (Crystal) who finds himself being placed in the unfortunate situation of having to tread carefully whilst trying to cure Vitti.
In "Analyze This" De Niro is once more trying his hand at comedy acting. Unlike "Meet The Parents" though, De Niro returns to his roots in this film by featuring the Italian Mafia. In "Analyze This", Ramis and company have basically created a satirical tribute to all of those films which so many adore. In one dream sequence, the film even re-enacts the scene from the Godfather in which Marlon Brando is shot (this time Brando is replaced by Crystal). All in all, this film just clicks.
The plot, whilst admittedly weak at times, holds the course of the story well and leaves us with a few minor twists. All the supporting cast, despite not having much to do (this in effect being a film purely for Crystal & De Niro), perform well and add to the story. It is that link between Crystal & De Niro which makes this film what it is though. De Niro is a wise judge of films, and I'm unsure whether the reason he only appears in good comedies is because he chooses well or because he makes them good. Ultimately though, every comedy I've seen him in, I've been impressed with (even "Showtime" which is one of his weaker efforts).
In summary, "Analyze This" is a good film. The reason it is good though is purely because of the comedy partnership of Crystal & De Niro. The two work very well together and if it wasn't for them, then "Analyze This" would not be as good as it is. Watch this film purely for these two actors. If the sequel (which I haven't seen) is as good as this original, then there's a potential franchise here.
Creating a good film is dependent on countless factors, but one of the most important is the right choice in actors. In "Analyze This" Harold Ramis as director has the excellent partnership of Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro to work with.
Simply put, in this film, De Niro plays Crime Boss Paul Vitti who is experiencing emotional problems. Into this equation comes Psychiatrist Dr Ben Sobel (Crystal) who finds himself being placed in the unfortunate situation of having to tread carefully whilst trying to cure Vitti.
In "Analyze This" De Niro is once more trying his hand at comedy acting. Unlike "Meet The Parents" though, De Niro returns to his roots in this film by featuring the Italian Mafia. In "Analyze This", Ramis and company have basically created a satirical tribute to all of those films which so many adore. In one dream sequence, the film even re-enacts the scene from the Godfather in which Marlon Brando is shot (this time Brando is replaced by Crystal). All in all, this film just clicks.
The plot, whilst admittedly weak at times, holds the course of the story well and leaves us with a few minor twists. All the supporting cast, despite not having much to do (this in effect being a film purely for Crystal & De Niro), perform well and add to the story. It is that link between Crystal & De Niro which makes this film what it is though. De Niro is a wise judge of films, and I'm unsure whether the reason he only appears in good comedies is because he chooses well or because he makes them good. Ultimately though, every comedy I've seen him in, I've been impressed with (even "Showtime" which is one of his weaker efforts).
In summary, "Analyze This" is a good film. The reason it is good though is purely because of the comedy partnership of Crystal & De Niro. The two work very well together and if it wasn't for them, then "Analyze This" would not be as good as it is. Watch this film purely for these two actors. If the sequel (which I haven't seen) is as good as this original, then there's a potential franchise here.