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Release: 1999, Warner Bros. Starring: Robert de Niro, Billy Crystal, Lisa Kudrow, Molly Shannon Director: Harold Ramis MPAA Rating: [R] language, sexuality, violence Genre: Comedy New York's most powerful gangster is about to get in touch with his feelings. YOU try telling him his 50 minutes are up...
 When Paul Vitti (de Niro), one of New York's most powerful gangsters, prepares to assume the role of head of his crime family, he begins to experience severe anxiety and panic attacks. Enter Dr. Ben Sobol (Crystal), a psychiatrist who tries to get him in touch with his feelings.
I had mixed feelings about the movie overall, but there are some scenes that are entertaining enough, and some quick cuts that are very funny (personally, I got a big kick out of seeing a gun pulled on a cow). Lisa Kudrow is good, but her character of Crystal's fiancee isn't really ever the focus.
Probably the lamest thing about Analyze This is just how stereotypical and typecast its stars are. Robert de Niro playing a wiseguy? Been there, done that. Billy Crystal playing a nice guy version of Woody Allen (or a funny version of Richard Lewis)? Been there, done that. Someone obviously figured that throwing the two together for a couple of hours was wacky and hilarious by nature, but the problem is that it's all a one-joke premise: watch a big tough guy like de Niro get in touch with his "feminine side." My Giant, the last movie I can remember Crystal being in, was also a one-joke comedy: see how goofy the short guy and tall guy look together. The Comic Relief co-host seems to be falling into a tired rut. All in all, Analyze This has its moments, but it's largely forgettable...
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