10 Question Review
Analyze That
What’s it all about then?
During a stint in prison, mafia Mobster Paul Vitti calls on his psychiatric expert and old friend Ben Sobel to help him out when he believes someone is trying to kill him. More than willing to help who got him shot on his wedding day the doctor is forced to take care of the Italian American hard-man and help him find out exactly what the price on his head is.
Haven't we heard this somewhere before?
Analyze that is the sequel to Analyze this and runs along the same lines although in the original doctor Benjamin Sobel was unaware of the disasters that his ‘friend’ could cause. This time he’s well aware of the consequences of having him around but decides to go with it anyway.
Anyone familiar in it?
Pretty much the same case as the original star with Ben Sobel played by Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro playing Mafia hardman Paul Vitti. The pair are joined by Lisa Kudrow who plays Laura Sobel, Ben’s long-suffering wife and Joe Viterelli (Shallow Hall and Mickey Blue Eyes) who plays Jelly, Vitti’s non-too-wise sidekick.
What’s new?
Instead of being the criminal after the big hit on this occasion Paul Vitti (De Niro) is a wanted man and is doing his best to steer clear of crime thanks to Sobel (Crystal). This time around a whole different bunch of gangsters are trying to prevent Vitti from becoming the head of New York’s crime family and although Vitti wants nothing to do with his clan’s latest plan he decides the best way to find out who’s trying to kill him is by getting involved.
What’s stayed the same?
Thankfully the comic relationship between Sobel and Vitti has not been lost between This and That and although the Dr believes he knows how to handle the gangster, the hardman still has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. The language of De Niro’s character is still pretty corse but necessary to his role as an Italian American and Ben’s wife (Kudrow) is still unhappy about her husband's relationship with a hitman.
How long is it?
Just about long enough. In 96mins the film pulls together a clever story with some humorous dialogue between Dr and patient.
The best bit?
Vitti trying to take the straight and narrow route into employment is fairly entertaining as is the moment Sobel tries to step into Vitti’s role as a Gangster at a meeting of the most notorious criminals in the area.
Who’s the leading light?
As in the original Robert De Niro probably shines brightest in a familiar role, with a novel twist. His character has some priceless lines and his innocence as a Gangster who seems no problem with killing the occasional person mixed with Billy Crystal’s idyllic life disappearing with every moment he is around makes a great blend for the starring roles.
Any good?
Very good actually. Having seen Analyse This as a one off that would be difficult to follow, Analyze That twists the story slightly but has enough from the original film to ensure that it is continually enjoyable.
Summed up in three words?
Family gangster comedy.
During a stint in prison, mafia Mobster Paul Vitti calls on his psychiatric expert and old friend Ben Sobel to help him out when he believes someone is trying to kill him. More than willing to help who got him shot on his wedding day the doctor is forced to take care of the Italian American hard-man and help him find out exactly what the price on his head is.
Haven't we heard this somewhere before?
Analyze that is the sequel to Analyze this and runs along the same lines although in the original doctor Benjamin Sobel was unaware of the disasters that his ‘friend’ could cause. This time he’s well aware of the consequences of having him around but decides to go with it anyway.
Anyone familiar in it?
Pretty much the same case as the original star with Ben Sobel played by Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro playing Mafia hardman Paul Vitti. The pair are joined by Lisa Kudrow who plays Laura Sobel, Ben’s long-suffering wife and Joe Viterelli (Shallow Hall and Mickey Blue Eyes) who plays Jelly, Vitti’s non-too-wise sidekick.
What’s new?
Instead of being the criminal after the big hit on this occasion Paul Vitti (De Niro) is a wanted man and is doing his best to steer clear of crime thanks to Sobel (Crystal). This time around a whole different bunch of gangsters are trying to prevent Vitti from becoming the head of New York’s crime family and although Vitti wants nothing to do with his clan’s latest plan he decides the best way to find out who’s trying to kill him is by getting involved.
What’s stayed the same?
Thankfully the comic relationship between Sobel and Vitti has not been lost between This and That and although the Dr believes he knows how to handle the gangster, the hardman still has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. The language of De Niro’s character is still pretty corse but necessary to his role as an Italian American and Ben’s wife (Kudrow) is still unhappy about her husband's relationship with a hitman.
How long is it?
Just about long enough. In 96mins the film pulls together a clever story with some humorous dialogue between Dr and patient.
The best bit?
Vitti trying to take the straight and narrow route into employment is fairly entertaining as is the moment Sobel tries to step into Vitti’s role as a Gangster at a meeting of the most notorious criminals in the area.
Who’s the leading light?
As in the original Robert De Niro probably shines brightest in a familiar role, with a novel twist. His character has some priceless lines and his innocence as a Gangster who seems no problem with killing the occasional person mixed with Billy Crystal’s idyllic life disappearing with every moment he is around makes a great blend for the starring roles.
Any good?
Very good actually. Having seen Analyse This as a one off that would be difficult to follow, Analyze That twists the story slightly but has enough from the original film to ensure that it is continually enjoyable.
Summed up in three words?
Family gangster comedy.