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Countless wiseguy films are spoofed in this film that centers on the neuroses and angst of a powerful Mafia racketeer who suffers from panic attacks. When Paul Vitti needs help dealing with his role in the "family," unlucky shrink Dr. Ben Sobel is given just days to resolve Vitti's emotional crisis and turn him into a happy, well-adjusted gangster.
1999 · Directed by Harold Ramis · 103 min · Comedy · Crime · Screenplay in the scene database · 10 frames
Tagline
New York's most powerful gangster is about to get in touch with his feelings.
Plot
Mob boss Paul Vitti and his consigliere Manetta are discussing an upcoming meeting and the Mafia's present-day problems over lunch. As Manetta warns Paul to look out for Primo Sindone (an up-and-coming mafioso who wants to be capo di tutti capi), gunmen bypass and kill Manetta.
Psychiatrist Ben Sobel is disillusioned with his life: his son from his first marriage spies on his sessions, his patients have been boring him, and his wedding to Laura MacNamara is nearing. Distracted, Ben accidentally rear-ends a car belonging to Paul. Jelly, one of Vitti's men, takes the blame, but Ben gives Jelly his business card in case he decides to contact him regarding damages.
During a meeting, Paul has a panic attack and tells Jelly that he needs to see a psychiatrist, but it has to be kept a secret. Jelly recommends Ben. Paul visits Ben, claiming that his friend needs therapy, but Ben deduces his lie. As he realizes that Paul is talking about himself, it impresses Paul enough to want to see him permanently, to Ben's chagrin. Ben flies to Miami for his wedding with Laura, but Paul, Jelly and the crew follow him. Paul explains that he has been suffering from erectile dysfunction, and Ben suggests that the source of the problem might be stress.
Plot summary from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.
Crew
- Screenplay: Harold Ramis, Kenneth Lonergan, Peter Tolan
- Cinematography: Stuart Dryburgh
- Edited by: Craig Herring, Christopher Tellefsen
- Music: Howard Shore
- Production design: Wynn Thomas
- Produced by: Jane Rosenthal, Paula Weinstein
Cast
- Robert De Niro as Paul Vitti
- Billy Crystal as Dr. Ben Sobel
- Lisa Kudrow as Laura MacNamara Sobel
- Chazz Palminteri as Primo Sidone
- Kresh Novakovic as '50s Gangster
- Bart Tangredi as Young Vitti, Sr.
- Michael Straka as Young Dominic Manetta
- Joseph Rigano as Dominic Manetta
- Joe Viterelli as Jelly
- Richard C. Castellano as Jimmy Boots
Production
- Country: United States of America
- Language: English
- Studios: Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures, NPV Entertainment, Face Productions
- Budget: $80,000,000
- Box office: $176,885,658
- Themes: new york city, mafia boss, wedding, psychiatrist
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