Analyze This MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -2 1/2

In Analyze This, James Vitti (Robert DeNiro) is having some problems. A gangster who cries at TV commercials and has panic attacks just can't get the kind of respect he needs to do his job. But don't tell him hes having panic attacks. The emergency room doctor who made this diagnosis got a fist full. Despite Mr. Vitti's reluctance to admit any psychological problems, he decides to seek out a shrink (Billy Crystal). Dr. Ben Sobal knows Mr. Vitti is the head of one of New York's biggest crime families, and he does not want to treat him. But you don't say no to a mafia king, as the good doctor soon finds out. Vitti begins to invade every area of the doctor's life for on-the-spot therapy, including interrupting his wedding. Through almost constant psychological care, Vitti begins to make some important breakthroughs. However, he comes to his biggest breakthrough and most important life decision too late to avoid trouble with the feds. DeNiro and Crystal in name alone are certain to draw moviegoers, and the plot does provide an interesting and humorous twist to the typically dark Hollywood gangster film. But relying on the talent alone is not enough to take this sort of average screenplay over the top at the box office.

If it's possible to have a gangster movie with heart, this one would probably be it. A mobster, who admits to psychological problems, sees the emotional toll this lifestyle exacts and commits to making a life change. Sounds pretty good on the surface. The problem is that it trivializes the violent and illegal activities of organized crime and makes the FBI out to be less loyal than the Mob. You will not be exposed to the level of graphic violence that is now commonplace in mob movies; however, the lack of real deadly consequence to violent gunplay is morally disturbing. Fidelity to marriage is seen as positivethough only for its psychological benefits, but sexual content includes one scene of adulterous intercourse portrayed humorously. And bad, bad gangsters use bad, bad language, including 79 f-words, 22 s-words, and 6 regular profanities. Analyze This, with it's abundance of offensive language, crude humor, trivializing violence, and sexual innuendo would be a very poor choice for discriminating adults.

Preview Reviewer: Cliff McNeely
Distributor: Warner Brothers