Analyze This

Analyze This

Year: 1999

Runtime: 103 min

Language: English

Director: Harold Ramis

Budget: $80M

ComedyCrime

A volatile mob boss, struggling with debilitating anxiety attacks, seeks psychiatric help. He unexpectedly selects a naive therapist, intending to manipulate the sessions for his own benefit. As therapy progresses, the gangster's wedding plans are complicated by his own volatile nature and the interference of a persistent adversary, leading to chaotic and humorous situations.

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Analyze This (1999) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Analyze This (1999), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In a tense and ominous lunch meeting, mob boss Paul Vitti and his steadfast consigliere Manetta find themselves discussing the impending mafia conclave, alongside the ongoing troubles within their organization. Just as Manetta warns Paul to be cautious of the ambitious young mafioso Primo Sindone, a drive-by shooting leaves Manetta dead, marking a violent turn of events.

Meanwhile, psychiatrist Ben Sobel is grappling with a profound sense of dissatisfaction in his life. His son from a prior marriage frequently pries into his therapy sessions, his patients lack any stimulating challenge, and his upcoming marriage to Laura MacNamara hangs by a thread. In an unexpected twist, Ben accidentally crashes into Paul’s car, leading to the shocking discovery of a bound and gagged hostage in the trunk—an ominous secret that eludes both him and his son.

As fate unfolds, Jelly, one of Paul’s loyal associates, takes the blame for the car accident, prompting Ben to hand him his business card, unwittingly opening a door to a life-altering chain of events. Paul, plagued by crippling anxiety and panic attacks, seeks help in total secrecy, eventually turning to Ben for therapy. Initially unaware of Paul’s true motives, Ben soon comes to realize the precarious situation he has entered, as Paul’s desperation turns into a persistent demand for his professional assistance.

The drama intensifies as Paul unexpectedly follows Ben to Miami for his wedding, where chaos ensues, culminating in a confrontation with an assassin who meets an untimely death thanks to Jelly. The wedding morphs into a tumultuous scene, driven by Paul’s escalating panic and insistence on therapy.

As their therapy sessions progress, Ben delves into Paul’s complicated emotional landscape, uncovering deep-rooted issues tied to his fraught relationship with his father. This exploration ignites a series of explosive confrontations between the two men, leading to a chilling phone call in which Paul pledges to eliminate Primo Sindone.

Upon their return to New York, Ben’s family discovers a large fountain gifted by Paul in their garden, but this gesture of goodwill is swiftly overshadowed when the FBI presents Ben with a grim ultimatum: betray Paul or face severe repercussions. Although hesitant, Ben’s resolve weakens when the authorities reveal a doctored recording of Paul’s sinister threats against him.

As Ben prepares to meet Paul clandestinely, he dons a wire, only to discover harrowing truths about his childhood, including witnessing his father’s murder. This shocking revelation sets off a chain reaction, leading Paul to abduct Ben in a desperate attempt to silence him. However, their confrontation turns into an emotional release, as Paul confesses his long-held guilt over his father’s death.

Just as this cathartic moment peaks, two mercenaries arrive, intent on eliminating Paul, but Jelly intervenes, showcasing her lethal prowess by dispatching them both. In the aftermath, Paul expresses his remorse for his earlier intentions to kill Ben, and the two part ways.

As the day of their next scheduled meeting draws near, Paul is overwhelmed by panic. Jelly disrupts Ben’s joyful wedding, insisting that he accompany her to Paul, where Ben reluctantly takes on the role of his consigliere. Caught in a precarious position, Ben confronts Primo before Paul intervenes, revealing a rat within his own ranks responsible for Dominic’s assassination. Rather than retaliate, Paul announces his retirement from organized crime, setting off a tense standoff outside.

In a moment of selflessness, Ben steps in to protect Paul, leading to a chaotic intervention by the authorities, who arrest the remaining factions and take Ben to safety.

Afterward, Ben visits Paul in prison, where he receives heartfelt gratitude and learns about Primo’s fate. Back at home, Ben shares a tender dance with his new wife, their romance further intensified by the soulful sounds of Tony Bennett echoing in the background.

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 11:03

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Odd Couple Mentorship Movies like Analyze This

Where two vastly different personalities form a bond that transforms them both.If you liked the dynamic between the mob boss and therapist in Analyze This, you'll enjoy these movies about unlikely friendships and mentorship. This collection features stories where opposites attract, leading to humorous and heartwarming bonds that change lives.

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Funny High-Stakes Crime Comedies like Analyze This

Serious settings and life-or-death problems played for laughs and heart.Looking for more movies like Analyze This that blend mob life and crime with comedy? This list features comedies set in high-stakes worlds where serious dangers are played for laughs, creating a unique mix of tension and humor without heavy violence.

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Narrative Summary

The plot revolves around a high-pressure environment (e.g., organized crime, heists, espionage) where the protagonist faces genuine threats. However, the narrative approach is farcical, focusing on the absurdity of the situation or the protagonist's ineptitude. The stakes feel real but are resolved through comedic means, leading to a happy or satisfying conclusion.

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This thread groups films that successfully balance the inherent tension of a dangerous setting with a dominant comedic tone. They avoid gritty realism in favor of humor, resulting in a medium-intensity experience that is more playful than disturbing, appealing to viewers who enjoy crime stories without the heaviness.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Analyze This

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