Analyze This

It's all fresh, funny, with great performances and imaginative direction and script. It's true that towards the end the director seems to lose the thread and the plot wasn't finished perfectly, but when I think of the brilliant conversations between De Niro as a mentally unstable mobster and a Billy Crystal unwillingly involved in the mafia underworld, I immediately get a smile on my face and I'm happy to turn a blind eye. (24/05/2011)

The story of a mentally unstable mobster is indeed entertaining, especially when portrayed by someone highly capable who expertly parodies their most famous film characters. Yet what is original and incredibly entertaining in the first half, including the confession scene in the Miami bar that had me in tears of laughter, unfortunately takes a turn in the second half due to the director's handling of it. It becomes a disjointed mix of the aforementioned ingredients from the first half, mixed with a subplot about gangster rivalries and FBI agents. The originality of the plot goes down the drain, and the whole film starts to fall apart for director Ramis. The final session is jarring and the previously respectable Billy Crystal starts to overplay his role excessively. It’s a shame about the missed opportunity. (22/01/2006)

Billy Crystal in the role of a neurotic psychiatrist who finds himself having to treat mafia boss played by Robert De Niro. This in itself is a combination that, with well-written dialogs, can’t help but work. And that’s just what happened, some scenes and lots of chiseled dialogs make this into an outrageously funny movie with outstanding acting performances. The whole thing is supported by the director who has a gift for comic timing. Simply all pluses and no shortcomings of any importance. (22/01/2007)

Robert De Niro is paradoxically (although understandably) strongest in the least comedic moments, where his captivating gestures and expressions remind us of his successful performances as tough mobsters and gangsters throughout several decades. Some jokes in this relatively solid comedy succeed (fuckin' Greeks), while others do not (De Niro cryubg). Many scenes feel unnecessary and the pace is also quite uneven, but fortunately, the running time is relatively short, and everything ends quicker than you can say the word boredom. A simple, yet quite entertaining variation of tough guys in a comedic package. (30/05/2007)

When I come across a film with De Niro that happens to be a gangster movie, it almost always guarantees 100% quality. This time, De Niro plays the role of a mobster (what else, right?) who is deeply depressed and constantly experiencing anxiety. The whole film is packed with funny and entertaining moments that are never cringe-worthy, and I laughed out loud at them. I like how the film takes a lighter approach, but at times it’s interrupted by really serious inserts that remind the viewer of the harsh mafia environment. Crystal, in the role of the psychiatrist, added a touch of brilliance to the film. Overall, I want to praise the quality script, where you won’t find any major flaws. I also want to give credit to those who cast the supporting roles. Especially the people portraying the mobsters looked like typical Sicilian tough guys, not to be messed with. Despite the lower ratings, I’ll probably have to watch the sequel too. This one is just a small step away from a full five stars, and I give it 84%. (21/04/2017)