Analyze That
The mafia's Paul Vitti is back in prison and will need some serious counseling when he gets out. Naturally, he returns to his analyst Dr. Ben Sobel for help and finds that Sobel needs some serious help himself as he has inherited the family practice, as well as an excess stock of stress.
The film disappointed at the box office against its respectable budget of $60.0M, earning $55.0M globally (-8% loss).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Analyze That (2002) showcases deliberately positioned dramatic framework, characteristic of Harold Ramis's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 36 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 5.9, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Paul Vitti
Dr. Ben Sobel
Laura Sobel
Jelly
Patti LoPresti
Agent Stedman
Main Cast & Characters
Paul Vitti
Played by Robert De Niro
Mob boss feigning insanity to avoid prison, manipulates his psychiatrist to help him prepare for a legitimate job.
Dr. Ben Sobel
Played by Billy Crystal
Psychiatrist reluctantly pulled back into treating the manipulative mobster, struggling to maintain professional boundaries.
Laura Sobel
Played by Lisa Kudrow
Ben's wife who is increasingly frustrated with Vitti's intrusion into their family life.
Jelly
Played by Joe Viterelli
Vitti's loyal right-hand man and bodyguard who follows him throughout his scheme.
Patti LoPresti
Played by Cathy Moriarty
Rival mob boss who suspects Vitti is faking his mental breakdown and poses a threat.
Agent Stedman
Played by Reg Rogers
FBI agent monitoring Vitti's activities and pressuring Dr. Sobel to cooperate.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Paul Vitti is in Sing Sing prison, living the confined life of an inmate, establishing his current trapped state before the story begins.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Vitti is released into Ben's custody after his apparent psychological breakdown. Ben is forced back into the role of Vitti's psychiatrist against his will.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Ben reluctantly commits to helping Vitti find legitimate work and reintegrate into society, crossing into the world of managing a mobster's civilian life., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat It's revealed that Vitti has been faking his recovery and is actually planning a heist, raising the stakes. Ben realizes he's been manipulated and is now implicated., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The heist goes wrong, violence erupts, and Ben faces the complete destruction of his professional reputation and safety. His world collapses around him., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ben confronts Vitti and the mob situation, working with the FBI to resolve the crisis. The finale plays out as relationships are tested and resolved., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Analyze That's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Analyze That against these established plot points, we can identify how Harold Ramis utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Analyze That within the comedy genre.
Harold Ramis's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Harold Ramis films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.0, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Analyze That takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Harold Ramis filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Harold Ramis analyses, see Club Paradise, Multiplicity and The Ice Harvest.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Paul Vitti is in Sing Sing prison, living the confined life of an inmate, establishing his current trapped state before the story begins.
Theme
A character mentions that Vitti is "acting crazy" and questions whether someone can fake insanity, introducing the theme of authenticity versus performance.
Worldbuilding
Vitti exhibits bizarre behavior in prison while Ben Sobel has rebuilt his life with a TV show and new practice. The contrast establishes both worlds before they collide.
Disruption
Vitti is released into Ben's custody after his apparent psychological breakdown. Ben is forced back into the role of Vitti's psychiatrist against his will.
Resistance
Ben resists taking responsibility for Vitti but is pressured by the FBI and circumstances. He debates how to handle this unwanted patient while Vitti moves into his home.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ben reluctantly commits to helping Vitti find legitimate work and reintegrate into society, crossing into the world of managing a mobster's civilian life.
Mirror World
Vitti begins working in the entertainment industry, creating a fish-out-of-water dynamic that mirrors Ben's own professional world and explores the theme of reinvention.
Premise
The "fun and games" of Vitti attempting legitimate jobs while Ben struggles to keep him out of trouble. Comic situations arise from the culture clash.
Midpoint
It's revealed that Vitti has been faking his recovery and is actually planning a heist, raising the stakes. Ben realizes he's been manipulated and is now implicated.
Opposition
Ben is trapped between the FBI, rival mobsters, and Vitti's schemes. Pressure intensifies as the heist approaches and Ben's life unravels. Everything tightens around him.
Collapse
The heist goes wrong, violence erupts, and Ben faces the complete destruction of his professional reputation and safety. His world collapses around him.
Crisis
Ben processes the betrayal and disaster, confronting his darkest moment. He must decide whether to save himself or find another way through the crisis.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Ben confronts Vitti and the mob situation, working with the FBI to resolve the crisis. The finale plays out as relationships are tested and resolved.