In its first two acts, Harold Ramis's comedy uproariously mines co-scripters Kenneth Lonergan, Peter Tolan's premise for all its comedic worth. Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal make a terrific team as, respectively, a tough mob boss and the shrink who reluctantly treats him for recurring panic attacks. Crystal's effectiveness comes as no surprise (OK, maybe so in light of recent pathetic efforts such as _Forget_Paris_ and _My_Giant_), but the true comedic firecracker of the two is De Niro, who is explosively funny taking a self-deprecating spin on his usual mafia screen persona.

So when De Niro's character disappears for a good chunk of the home stretch, so does the explosive energy of his performance and presence. Strangely enough, Crystal cannot pick up the comedic slack; the film's climax is his showcase, and his schtick comes off as just that, schtick, in comparison to De Niro's relaxed comic ease. One performer who could have possibly risen to the challenge is co-star Lisa Kudrow, but she is woefully underused in the equally as undeveloped role of Crystal's fiancee. But even if it does not end quite as well as it begins, _Analyze_This_ offers more laughs than any other comedy so far released in 1999.