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 Director
: Harold Ramis
Starring
: Robert De Niro, Billy Crystal, Lisa Kudrow, Joe Viterelli,
Chazz Palminteri.
Picture
1.85:1 and 4:3, DD 5.1, Double-Side Single-Layer, Snap Case
Running
Time : 104 mins
The
story:
New Yorks most powerful gangster is aboout
to get in touch with his feelings.
New
York mobster Paul Vitti (Robert De Niro) finds himself with
emotional problems. He is suffering from panic attacks and
overwhelming moments. This is affecting his position as
an the head of a large crime family. When one of his henchmen
is out driving with his next victim in the boot of his car,
he is rear-ended by Ben Sobel (Billy Crystal) who just happens
to be a psychiatrist. Ben leaves his business card and leaves
the scene, but he is soon contacted by the mobster who wants
him to help solve his emotional crisis. Ben is reluctant
to help as he already has enough problems of his own, but
he is soon pressured into helping turn Vitti into a happy
well-adjusted gangster.
The
summary:
This is a delightful spoof comedy of a troubled
mobster played firmly with tongue-in-cheek by the talented
Robert De Niro. Think of a big screen gangster flick and
you think of De Niro. He THE man when it comes to this role,
so it's all the more satisfying to see him do the comic
incarnation of the characters that have made up his esteemed
career. Perhaps you could go as far as saying that carries
the film to a certain extent - after all, it's difficult
to see who else could have played the part. This is not
knocking Billy Crystal in any way - he hits it off well
with De Niro and in each scene that the two meet, you are
guaranteed some laughs. This isn't a laugh out loud film
by any means - but it is enjoyable. Some of the gags are
a bit strained, De Niro's forced crying for one, but it's
intentionally over the top. This is no classic but it's
good light-entertainment and has been generally well accepted
by cinema-goers. The inclusion of the commentaries on this
disc make it a good purchase.
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Extras:
*
Theatrical Trailer.
* Feature
Commentary - With
Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro. The pair hit it off once
again in this excellent commentary.
*
Directors Commentary -
Another commentary! This time with the Harold Ramis, the
director and co-writer. This too is well worth a listen.
*
Documentary Gag Reel
- Some amusing outtakes from the film.
*
Filmographies
- The on-screen CV's of the cast and crew.
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