Analyze That Starring Robert DeNiro, Billy Crystal Directed by Harold Ramis Rated R for language and some sexual content **1/4 out of 4 Stars, Movie Grade: C

Released December 6, 2002

Running time: 95 minutes

by Kevin Lang

"Analyze That," directed by Harold Ramis and starring Robert DeNiro and Billy Crystal, failed to match the comedic wit and emotional heart of the first film, 1999's "Analyze This." Despite lacking the same comedic edge, it didn't entirely disappoint me. I laughed (a little), and although the story was simple, it was slightly creative in the end, which helped to redeem the film a little. Still, "Analyze That" only vaguely resembled its predecessor, which was a surprisingly enjoyable movie.

Paul Vitti (Robert DeNiro) returned once again as the gangster in need of therapy. He faked like he was insane (singing refrains from "Westside Story") to get out of prison and away from the people on the inside trying to kill him. Dr. Ben Sobol (Billy Crystal) confirmed his insanity, and agreed to take him in until he was well. Paul tried to restart fresh, but the gangster side of him seemed to get in the way. This led to him losing jobs doing such things as selling cars and working at a restaurant. Thus, he found himself returning to his old life, and he took Ben along for the ride.

Both men were suffering from emotional stress. Ben had just lost his father, and Paul had never come to terms with the loss of his father when he was a child. Both were giving therapy to one another as they came to terms with these issues. This could have brought somewhat more to the story, but everything else that was occurring blurred its impact. This included Ben popping pills, for which we never really learned too much about, and a gold heist that fit the plot but arrived rather suddenly near the end.

In the end, the biggest problem with "Analyze That" was that the filmmakers didn't take a close enough look at what made the first film work. "Analyze This" worked because it focused mostly on the humorous, yet heartfelt relationship that developed between a gangster and his psychiatrist. This film didn't play on that enough. It focused less on their relationship, and as a result I didn't care nearly as much about them, or the movie.

"Analyze That" Review written December 5, 2002, CTF.