Analyze That (2002)

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Billy Crystal, Lisa Kudrow
Director: Harold Ramis

Rating: R

Studio: Warner Bros.

Review Posted: 12.21.02

Spoilers: None

Reviewed by Christopher T. Bryan

"That is strained, regurgitated, and formulaic"

Analyze That is a great movie idea that has already been run into the ground. The problem with this movie is that there was no need for it. Analyze This was a hilarious movie that stood on its own. Everything was wrapped up nicely at the end, right? Apparently somebody thought that there was more story to tell.

The laughs in Analyze That seem strained. The few true guffaws are found in jokes that have been regurgitated from Analyze This. The misuse of this fantastic cast is a tragedy in itself. Robert DeNiro's (as Paul Vitti) first two comedic outings, Analyze This and Meet the Parents, were hugely successful, but this fact is over played in Analyze That. He is forced to act retarded and sing show tunes, while the audience is expected to think that this is funny, when it is in fact quite sad. Billy Crystal (as Dr. Ben Sobel), a comic genius, is merely used as DeNiro’s sidekick. It saddened me that Lisa Kudrow (as Laura Sobel) was given nothing to do in this film. Her talent was forgivably overlooked in Analyze This, but I was sure that it would be recognized by now. She has great comic ability, evident in TVs Friends, but here she is in so few scenes that her name would not be mentioned if it weren’t for her famous sitcom.

The movie is altogether too formulaic. Crystal and DeNiro are basically thrown from one scene of absurdity into another without a real thought given to developing the story line. Crystal has visibly aged since Analyze This whereas Kudrow has not, making it even more unbelievable that the two would ever be married outside of a man’s fantasy. To add insult to injury, there is no chemistry to be found between the two. Jelly (Joe Viterelli) is the best character in the film. He is hilarious as the dubious and ever faithful cohort for Mr. Vitti.

Analyze That is not a movie that should be avoided at all costs; it has some moments. I just expected much more from a movie co-written by Harold Ramis, Paul Steinfeld, and Peter Tolan. If you go see it, go with low expectations and you may find yourself pleased. Be sure to stay through the credits to see some outtakes, which may make your trip worthwhile.

Rating: 1.5 out of 4  |  Read Review #1

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