Robert De Niro gives one of his best comedy performances to date in this feel-good Mafia tale from Groundhog Day(1993) director Harold Ramis.
De Niro stars as Manhattan Mob boss Paul Vitti, whose stressful lifestyle – and a close brush with being whacked – causes him to seek undercover therapy from psychiatrist Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal).
De Niro’s deadpan responses to the Freudian dissections, together with soon-to-be-married Crystal’s increasing entanglement with the “family” business, bring on the laughs thick and fast.
A clever script packed with fresh repartee, digs at Goodfellas(1990), and hilarious moments of joyous farce, Ramis’s skilled timing lets the two dynamic leads show their full comic potential.
Plot lines include Ben’s problems with his chubby son, Michael (Kyle Sabihy), and his nervous fiancée (Lisa Kudrow); Paul’s feud with a mob rival (Chazz Palminteri); and Ben having to play mobster when Paul’s breakthrough leads him to reject violence.
Ben Sobel
Billy Crystal Paul Vitti
Robert De Niro Laura MacNamara
Lisa Kudrow Jelly
Joe Viterelli Primo Sindone
Chazz Palminteri Jimmy
Richard Castellano Caroline
Molly Shannon Nicky Shivers
Max Casella Manetta
Joe Rigano Young Vitti
Bart Tangredi Young Manetta
Michael Straka Tuna
Frank Pietrangolare Isaac Sobel
Bill Macy Michael Sobel
Kyle Sabihy Dorothy Sobel
Rebecca Schull Salvatore Masiello
Pat Cooper Carlo Mangano
Leo Rossi Dr Shulman
Aasif Mandvi Carl
Neil Pepe Moony
Tony Darrow Sheila
DonnaMarie Recco Tino
Vince Cecere Marie Vitti
Elizabeth Bracco Theresa Vitti
Gina Gallagher Anna Vitti
Francesca Mari Anthony Vitti
Vincent Vella Jr. Scott MacNamara
Ira Wheeler Belinda MacNamara
Luce Ennis Tony Bennett
Himself
Director
Harold Ramis
Video
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De Niro’s deadpan responses to the Freudian dissections, together with soon-to-be-married Crystal’s increasing entanglement with the “family” business, bring on the laughs thick and fast.
