Vitti's Life example essay topic

Film Review Demo Di mov "Analyze That"Analyze That" created in 2002 is a sequel of the 1999 mob comedy "Analyze This". It is a rib- tickling comedy sequel, no longer a tale of a charming psychiatrist keeping a mafia don sober. On the contrary, it's the mafia godfather who exposes his shrink to the reality of the tough and indestructible side to every human soul. The film depicts two stereotypical characters, the collected psychotherapist and the notorious gangland figure. The unforeseeable events that override their lives ultimately juxtapose them towards one other. Soon the audience is bound to realize the uncertain and unpredictable truth about the characters created by Harold Ramis.

As he both writes and directs this crime comedy, Harold Ramis succeeds in exposing us to the achievements and ordeals of the characters lives through light hearted comic relieves and intense unpredictable twists. The story takes place in the late 90's early 2000's, entirely set in suburban New York. After being locked up in Sing-Sing for 850 days, Paul Vitti's life, played by Robert De Niro, is threatened by assassins. He fakes insanity and starts singing show tunes from West Side Story. Day after day, FBI agents monitoring him are baffled as New York's most notorious gangland figure walks around his cell in a distressing stupor. This draws the attention of Ben Sobel, played by Billy Crystal, an analyst who organizes Vitti to be released into his custody.

Craving for some therapy himself, as he has inherited the family profession, as well as an excess stock of pressure after the unexpected death of his father, grieving Sobel talks Vitti into finding a regular job. At the same time, Vitti discovers that the Rigazzi family is the one who want him dead, leading to his unsuccessful attempt of finding a legitimate occupation. Nevertheless, luck strikes him and he finds employment working as a technical advisor on the set of a mafia TV series. Meanwhile, FBI agents inform Sobel that Vitti has his old crew back together, and may be planning something immense.

The heart of the story is held by the robust and lighthearted sole of the character of Vitti. Nevertheless at the beginning stages of the film, the audience is provided little information about this notorious gang figure. Soon after however, while being under the supervision and treatment of Dr. Sobel, Vitti appears to be sincere about taking the cure and his deeper character history is revealed. His troubled past seems to have brought him even more pity and disappointment in the present. Despite relating to gangs and running them for the majority of his life, the real soul has been concealed for years under his superiority and boss-like figure. Vitti's unfortunate and adverse childhood seems to be the inner, most self- destructive dilemma he had to confront and triumph over.

Harold Ramis manages to illustrate this inner character struggle when he juxtaposes his harsh mob figure of the present with the lost innocence of the past. Through this, the audience is able to observe and understand the compassion and struggle he possesses bringing out the tough side of every human soul. The character of Ben Sobel, and his sometimes unusual methods of practice, stand out on their own. His motto of "it's a process", greatly influences the protagonist's outlook on life. Nevertheless, in spite of his will to help Vitti, Sobel encounters problems of his own. His father had just died, plunging him into an identity crisis in both his personal and professional lives.

On the other hand, Sobel does not have much of a choice and takes the notorious mafia leader in his custody, thus becoming his patient and even worse, his house guest, jeopardizing his reputation and life, yet giving help to a confused and puzzled individual seeking a place in society. Regardless of the tremendous task, Sobel's natural gift plays throughout the film, bringing both his personal and professional character on the screen and in the mind of the viewer. He develops from a hesitant, timid individual to a well rounded, courageous being. Despite demonstrating great will and determination, Vitti's actions would prove unappreciated by some old friends of his.

Having been in the mafia family for the larger part of his life, Vitti finds himself sickened and unwilling to take part of the cruel and malicious lifestyle he once did. Furthermore, he finds himself in even deeper snag. While in prison, Vitti unwittingly begins building even more reputation as a new and changed man, definitely not what the mob family wants. Soon he finds his life threatened by an unknown source and is forced to fake insanity in order to save his life.

At the same time, he also discovers that the Rigazzi family is the one who want him dead. He reacts to this by telling them that he is "out", and is seeking a new line of work. Ultimately, using his old crook methods, Vitti is able to frame the Rigazzi family and in turn leading to the arrest of the whole family and preventing a mob war. Renowned for his unique gifts in writing, directing and producing, Harold Ramis has lent his proficiency to many of the most successful screen comedies made. This multi talented comic talent wrote for Chicago's renowned Second City troupe and the National Lampoon radio show before co-scripting the antic fraternity house romp, "National Lampoon's Animal House" (1978). Later on, he applies his comedian intelligence to the scripts for "Animal House" and the similar "Meatballs" (1979), both of which employed "SNL" cast members John Belushi and Bill Murray.

Ramis made his directorial debut with the hit comedy "Caddy shack", which he co-wrote. Among his other directorial credits are "Vacation", "Club Paradise", "Groundhog Day" (for which Ramis won the British Comedy Award and shared a BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay), "Multiplicity", "Stuart Saves His Family", the international hit "Analyze This" and the fantasy comedy "Bedazzled", which he also co-wrote and produced. He is currently working on a project with Owen Wilson and writer Gene Stupnitsky, due to be complete middle 2007. Working with Ramis is Director of Photography Ellen Kur as, three-time recipient of the Sundance Film Festival's Best Dramatic Cinematography Award. Producer Jane Rosenthal, founder of "Tribeca Productions" and the "Tribeca Film Center" with Robert De Niro in 1988. She oversaw all aspects of the project development and served as producer with De Niro.

Another integral part of the production was Executive Producer Chris Brigham, who was an executive producer on "Analyze This", the first feature, followed by "Analyze That". Working with Ramis, they were able to accomplish the comic relevance of the first, and bring it one step further in the second. Harold Ramis co-wrote this production with another comedic writer Peter Tolan. His recent screenwriting credits include the comedies "Stealing Harvard", "America's Sweethearts" (for which he also served as executive producer), "What Planet Are You From?" , "My Fellow Americans", and "Bedazzled", which was also directed and produced by Harold Ramis. Tolan and Ramis previously collaborated on the comedy hit "Analyze This", with Tolan receiving both screenplay and story credit and again doing it in "Analyze That". After watching Analyze That I was amazed by how much goodwill the film was able to generate.

I was able to take the characters to heart and relate to them as they were real people. Both, De Niro and Crystal have a blast, their on and off screen chemistry was translated on the screen and in the characters they were portraying. Though the film is simply a rehash of the original it's still charming, entertaining and motivating. Seeing this film is very similar to a great session at your psychotherapist, with plenty of laughs.