Intermission: DeNiro, Crystal can't save woeful 'Analyze That'

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Jim Wunderle is a Springfield free-lance writer and musician.|ret||ret||tab|

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In Hollywood there seems to be an infinite number of bandwagons and an equal amount of folks ready to jump on. |ret||ret||tab|

What other explanation can there be for the fact that in 1990 there were two films based on the Latin dance fad known as the lambada? |ret||ret||tab|

The fact that any character who has ever been the subject of a "Saturday Night Live" sketch can fetch a movie deal is further proof.|ret||ret||tab|

So it should come as no surprise that around the same time "The Sopranos" was making television history on HBO, at least one film of the same sort was inevitable. |ret||ret||tab|

When the stars were Billy Crystal and Robert DeNiro, there was hope for legitimacy and the film "Analyze This" was not only a huge hit, but critics treated it kindly as well.|ret||ret||tab|

There was a palpable chemistry between DeNiro and Crystal and the supporting cast was great. |ret||ret||tab|

Funnier than the basic premise of "The Sopranos" which does have its hilarious, if rather dark, moments the success of "Analyze This" was a sure sign that a sequel, if not an entire franchise, was in the works. |ret||ret||tab|

I can understand the film company pursuing this, they're out to make a profit after all, but sometimes those who perceive film as art only hope things like sequels aren't the absolute norm.|ret||ret||tab|

Tolstoy didn't find it necessary to write "More War and Peace," nor did DaVinci give us "Mona Lisa II: The Smile is Back." Why must film producers ruin a perfectly fine achievement, like "Analyze This," with a follow up like "Analyze That?" I know the answer and it's "ticket sales."|ret||ret||tab|

The chemistry between the two actors is still intact, both in the film and the countless TV appearances they've been making promoting it. |ret||ret||tab|

The first act shows a lot of promise. But everything charming about "Analyze This" is eventually lost here. |ret||ret||tab|

The plot is virtually a throwaway and most sadly the supporting cast, led by Joe Viterelli as DeNiro's right hand man and Lisa Kudrow as Crystal's wife, are sorely underused. |ret||ret||tab|

Kudrow has shown in films such as "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" that she is a gift to any movie she's in, and Viterelli is as believable a mob character to ever grace the screen. Neither one gets their just deserts here.|ret||ret||tab|

As the film opens Paul Vitti (DeNiro) is in Sing Sing prision, and is fearing for his life. He fakes a psychotic breakdown, and it is fun to see him sing "I Feel Pretty" and other show tunes. DeNiro's gift as a comedic actor has much to do with the audience's familiarity with other, not so funny, roles he's played. He used this best in "Meet the Parents."|ret||ret||tab|

The authorities contact Dr. Ben Sobel (Crystal) and force him to take custody of Vitti. Sobel, who was Vitti's shrink before he went to prison, is not feeling up to the task and is even more worried when the prison officials tell him if there are any screw ups, he will be held personally responsible. |ret||ret||tab|

So the set-up is good for a screwball comedy.|ret||ret||tab|

When act two kicks in, the whole thing takes a wrong turn and I really can't believe the film was only 95 minutes. |ret||ret||tab|

Vitti is shown trying his hand at a series of "straight" jobs and also is threatened by a female mobster played by Cathy Moriarty-Gentile. |ret||ret||tab|

The two worked together in 1980's classic "Raging Bull" and were great. There's barely a fizzle here.|ret||ret||tab|

Things pick up a bit when Vitti is hired as a consultant on a gangster TV show. Nice casting by putting Anthony LaPaglia as the star of the show. He's always reminded me of a younger DeNiro, and seeing the two together is fun. What's not so fun is they have precious little with which to work. |ret||ret||tab|

Act three goes into a convoluted armored car heist with a climax that seems completely out of character for the people involved. |ret||ret||tab|

By that time I was more than willing to go out and brave the wintry weather again. Anything would be a pleasant change. |ret||ret||tab|

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Cans Film Festival|ret||ret||tab|

On a more positive note, hats off to Wehrenberg Theaters. Every December they do a chain-wide promotion called "The Cans Film Festival." The Campbell 16 Cine was collecting food and offering free passes for those bringing items Dec. 7. The canned goods will be donated to the Salvation Army. |ret||ret||tab|

In years past, movie houses were a big part of local communities, and it's nice to see people trying to keep the tradition alive. |ret||ret||tab|

Nice going, Wehrenberg.|ret||ret||tab|

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