Analyze This: A Mobster’s Therapy Session Gone Hilariously Awry
So, picture this: A mob boss, Paul Vitti (the ever-magnificent Robert De Niro), who’s more accustomed to making people disappear than discussing his feelings, suddenly finds himself in a bit of a pickle. Turns out, the big bad boss is experiencing anxiety attacks that are less “I’m going to get whacked” and more “I just realized I forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer.” Who knew the mafia had such soft underbellies?
In a desperate attempt to avoid the stigma of being labeled a “frouxo” (that’s “softie” for those of us not fluent in mob lingo), Vitti decides to seek help from the most unlikely source: Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal), a psychiatrist who’s just trying to navigate his own life without a bodyguard. It’s like putting a cat in charge of a room full of mice. Vitti, with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, demands that Sobel fix him in just two weeks, right before a major mafia meeting. Because, you know, mobsters are famous for their patience.
As Sobel tries to juggle his own wedding plans with Laura MacNamara (Lisa Kudrow), he finds himself in increasingly ridiculous situations. Imagine trying to say “I do” while Vitti’s goons are crashing your rehearsal dinner, demanding therapy sessions at the most inconvenient times. “Oh, sorry, honey, I can’t focus on our vows right now because I need to talk about Vitti’s childhood trauma!” Sounds romantic, doesn’t it?
Meanwhile, the FBI is having a field day, concocting schemes that would make any conspiracy theorist proud. They’re like kids in a candy store, trying to turn Sobel into an informant. “Hey, doc, can you just casually ask Vitti when and where the big meeting is?” Yeah, because nothing screams “trust me” like a psychiatrist being hounded by federal agents while trying to keep a mobster from having a breakdown.
As the story unfolds, we get a delightful mix of comedy and chaos. Vitti’s therapy sessions quickly devolve into a series of slapstick moments, with Sobel caught between the mob world and his own wedding, proving that sometimes, the only thing more complicated than a mobster’s psyche is planning a wedding with a side of organized crime.
In the end, Vitti learns that confronting his past is essential, while Sobel realizes that love and therapy can coexist, even in the most absurd circumstances. They bond, they laugh, and they somehow manage to navigate the minefield that is their lives. And as for the FBI? Well, let’s just say they end up with a front-row seat to one of the most dysfunctional therapy sessions in cinematic history.
So, if you’re in the mood for a film that hilariously mixes therapy with mobster antics, “Analyze This” is your ticket. Just remember, it’s not just about analyzing feelings; it’s about surviving the chaos that comes when you mix shrink sessions with the mob. Who knew therapy could be so… explosive?