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.

Analyze This (1999) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Analyze This (1999) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the bustling underworld of New York, a feared mob boss finds his ironclad reputation shaken by something far more personal: relentless anxiety attacks that threaten to undermine his command. Seeking control in the only way he knows—through discretion—he covertly turns to professional help, setting the stage for an unlikely meeting between power and vulnerability. The city’s gritty streets and shadowed offices serve as a backdrop where the language of loyalty and intimidation collides with the softer, clinical jargon of therapy.

Enter a modest psychiatrist whose practice is built on routine and reason. Ben Sobel is a therapist at a crossroads, juggling a stagnant career, a strained marriage, and a lingering sense that his life lacks real challenge. When the imposing figure of Paul Vitti steps through his doorway, the doctor is thrust into a world where every nervous tremor could have deadly consequences, and every session threatens to become a high‑stakes negotiation. The contrast between the therapist’s measured, analytical demeanor and the mobster’s volatile, charismatic presence creates a comedic tension that fuels the film’s irrepressible energy.

The story unfolds as these two very different men attempt to navigate each other’s realms, each hoping to extract something they desperately need—peace of mind for the gangster, a spark of excitement for the doctor. Their interactions blend sharp, self‑deprecating humor with moments of genuine empathy, revealing how even the toughest exterior can crack under the right pressure. As their unconventional partnership deepens, the audience is drawn into a world where crime and caretaking intersect, promising a roller‑coaster of laughs, awkward revelations, and a fresh look at what it means to confront one’s inner demons while the outer world watches.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 12:56

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

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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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a forced or accidental connection between characters with opposing lifestyles, values, or professions. Through a series of comedic and often chaotic events, initial friction gives way to understanding, respect, and a deep, transformative friendship that helps each character resolve their core conflicts.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their focus on the 'odd couple' trope, where the central relationship drives both the comedy and the emotional arc. They share a light to medium tone, a steady pacing that allows the relationship to develop, and a feel-good resolution where the friendship triumphs.

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.

Why These Movies?

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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