Analyze This (1999) had the potential misfortune of hitting the screens shortly after HBO's new series The_Sopranos began to explore the pregnant story possibilities in sending a mobster to see a psychiatrist, but the inspired comic pairing of Robert_De_Niro and Billy_Crystal gave the film its own life. Under comedy veteran Harold_Ramis's direction, the reluctant engagement of New York psychiatrist Crystal by Noo Yawk mafioso De_Niro becomes at once a giddy culture clash between stereotypes and a chance for De_Niro to strut his comedic stuff. Sending up his considerable history of screen mobsters and psychos, De_Niro moves from emotionally anguished to therapeutically chastened to professionally menacing, all with razor-sharp timing. Crystal's restrained yet terrified responses and nightmares about The_Godfather make him the ideal straight man for De_Niro and another sign of what the media images of the Mob have wrought. Although Ramis keeps it all moving crisply, a subplot involving Chazz_Palminteri and the obligatory final turn towards sentiment dilute the clever set-up. The hilarious first half, however, fostered enough good will with critics and audiences to turn Analyze This into a welcome hit for Crystal, De_Niro and Ramis. Lucia Bozzola, Rovi

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