1999, 1 hr 43 min., Rated R for language, a scene of sexuality and some violence. Dir: Harold Ramis. Cast: Cast: Billy Crystal, Robert De Niro, Lisa Kudrow, Joe Viterelli.

Paul Vitti (De Niro) is a loveable mob guy who needs better mental health. Seems he can't kill or maim without feeling guilty, has anxiety attacks and even cries at puppies in commercials. But as a mob boss, he has to look tough and strong. When he first meets Dr. Sobol (Crystal) he tells him "If I talk to you and you turn me into a fag, I'll kill you". Doesn't every guy worry about that when he's forced into therapy?

The problem with needing therapy for Vitti is that in a week he has to meet with a country-wide mob commission to determine how to survive in the 90s. According to one of Vitti's friends "we gotta change with the times," to which Vitti responds, "What, we gonna get a f***in' web site?"

But, Vitti likes Dr. Sobol, and so goes Analyze This, as a respected, law-abiding psychiatrist deals with the commanding presence and demands of a New York mob boss. The ride for the audience is a hilarious and highly enjoyable movie, starring two of the best talents in their genres. And neither is too proud to have fun with his reputation.

Don't get the wrong idea, though, Vitti is still a tough guy. When he enters Sobol's office, he asks "Do you know me?"

Sobol replies, "yes."

"No you don't."

"Okay."

"Did you see my picture in the paper?"

"Yes."

"No you didn't."

"I don't even get the paper."

De Niro and Crystal make a great pair, and it shows on-screen. The last few weeks they have heavily promoted Analyze This on every major talk show, even appearing together a couple of times, which means they both liked the film. If an actor isn't proud of his work, then they'll hide. Do you remember ever seeing Crystal on a major show to promote My Giant?

I really liked Lisa Kudrow in The Opposite of Sex, but in Analyze she's not given much to do other than look annoyed and whine. And as a CNN employee, I'll tell Kudrow now that she has no future in television news reporting. She wouldn't make it in Traverse City, Michigan, let alone Miami. She appears to be modeled after Corky on "Murphy Brown", another bad example of credible news. But no one else on earth besides news junkies would notice. So nevermind.

The better supporting actor belongs to Joe Viterelli as Jelly, De Niro's right-hand man. Viterelli is a big loveable guy who you've seen in many mob films, and in Analyze This has several moments of comic relief and as the voice of reason.

Director Harold Ramis (Caddyshack, Groundhog Day) does a fine job, preventing this from turning into a Naked Gun-type mob spoof, instead realizing that the comedy is easy to come by with Crystal and De Niro coming together on such a normally serious subject, and a solid supporting cast providing several hearty laughs.