Writer/Director: Harold Ramis
Co-writer: Peter Tolan and Kenneth Lonergan
Starring: Billy Crystal, Robert De Niro, and Lisa Kudrow
‘Captivating Comedy’
Versatility is not something you come across on a regular basis. Take for example, an actor’s career. Thing is, stars tend to appear in similar films in their career. Whether it’s for the money or otherwise, I don’t know for sure. Yet what really separates great actors from decent ones are the variety of movies they come in. The risks that they take when they are cast in a different film for a change. Results of this can be positive or negative; it just depends on whether they succeed.
Nevertheless, there’s a reason why some actors are known and debated as the best in the world. Robert De Niro is definitely one of them. His career has consisted of fantastic films, but I’ve found that most of them are difficult to distinguish. Well, I’ve realized that I haven’t seen many of his movies because I have been truly mistaken. With the film “Analyze This”, De Niro emphasizes and proves that he is a very diverse actor who is able to deliver the goods in almost any genre.
“Analyze This” follows a psychiatrist (Billy Crystal) who’s life is turned upside down when a worried mob boss (Robert De Niro) becomes one of his patients.
The movie is a surprisingly effective spoof of films in the gangster genre. It doesn’t directly make fun of every gangster movie since it’s plot also focuses on psychiatrist therapy. Instead it mocks gangsters themselves, showing how ridiculous and crazy their lives are. With respected and adored movies in the gangster genre such as “The Godfather” and “Goodfellas”, it seems like a tough job to make fun of gangster life. But the filmmakers of “Analyze This” somehow succeed.
Harold Ramis, the director of “Groundhog Day” (a comedy classic), is the talent behind the camera. With the support of a charming script and fantastic performances, he manages to create a comedy that is both rare and satisfying. Having the comedic genius of the entire cast, as well the electric chemistry between the two lead actors, Ramis finds comedy in a subject that one wouldn’t expect it to be associated with. Not only is it an unexpected achievement that comes across as original filmmaking, it is also something that one seldom ever sees in the comedy genre today.
A fine script enhances this film to another level by providing much of the comic relief. It’s filled with memorable and witty dialogue as well as quirky and intelligently crafted situations. Perhaps the most unusual and surprising of these situations is a parody of a scene from “The Godfather”. It’s such a smartly crafted sequence that, even for a die-hard fan of the “The Godfather” (myself included), it comes across as hilarious and admirable.
In terms of acting, everyone is at the top of their game and perfectly fit into their roles.
Robert De Niro, who has starred in several gangster films, makes a joke out of his image as a mobster. Here we see a rather over-acted, exaggerated portrayal of your everyday gangster. But it works. Tremendously. From quotable lines to golden expressions, the actor shines whenever he appears and has immense screen presence.
Billy Crystal is the best he has ever been, and probably will be remembered the most for this film. His perfect comic timing and undeniable charisma bring great quality to his performance. A memorable scene in “Analyze This” that displays the actor’s comical charm comes near the end of the movie: in an unusual situation, Crystal’s character is forced to attend a gangster meeting, substituting another gangster (De Niro). It is here that the actor stands out the most; making the particular scene more hilarious than expected.
If I didn’t already mention, Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro have electric chemistry. It actually seems as if the actors are best friends in real life, because you don’t come across such an impressive comic duo very often. Without these stars, it is doubtful whether or not the film would have been as effective.
As a whole, “Analyze This” is a commendable comedy that excels due to it’s cast and crew. Although the movie loses steam in certain scenes, since some parts are more funny than others, it still has redeeming factors.
After all, one doesn’t always laugh at a parody of one their favourite films, do they?
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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