: Sobel has just two weeks to "fix" Vitti before the major meeting, all while trying to manage his own impending marriage to Laura MacNamara (Lisa Kudrow).
: He uses non-traditional methods to "crack" Vitti’s shell and help him process deep-seated issues, such as unresolved Oedipal conflicts (humorously explained as "unresolved conflict with authority"). Analyze This (1999)
While a comedy, the film highlights several genuine qualities of effective therapy through Dr. Sobel's character: : Sobel has just two weeks to "fix"
: Sobel treats Vitti with respect despite his criminal background and allows him to open up at his own pace. Sobel's character: : Sobel treats Vitti with respect
: Vitti is experiencing "work-related stress" following the assassination of a close friend and the pressure of an upcoming summit of Mafia dons.
: The humor stems from the juxtaposition of Vitti’s tough-guy persona with the vulnerability of therapy, alongside Sobel's struggle to maintain professional boundaries with a patient who considers him "on call" 24/7. Therapeutic Themes
: The film explores traditional ideas of masculinity, showing a "tough" figure grappling with emotional breakdowns and neurosis. Production and Trivia