Somewhere deep down inside, I truly believe that the title Analyze That is a plea from the creators to pay attention to something -- anything -- other than their ridiculous excuse for a sequel.

I have to believe because I can't bear to live in a world in which something like Analyze That is passed off as entertainment. If the movie merits any sort of analysis, it would only be for the possibility that it sets a world record for most repeated line in movie history. "I'm grieving -- it's a process," is spoken so many times that by the end of the film I was hoping someone close to me would die just so I could go through my own grieving process and forget about the movie I had just seen.

Billy Crystal plays Dr. Ben Sobel, a stereotypically neurotic Jewish therapist, who, in the original movie, Analyze This, took on the emotionally troubled mob boss Paul Vitti (Robert De Niro) as a patient. The concept, mildly amusing the first time around, seems played out in the sequel.

Vitti is serving time in jail, and several attempts on his life are made. He fakes psychosis, and Sobol, who apparently is not a very good psychologist, concludes that Vitti must leave the prison -- which is causing incredible stress -- or else there is a danger he will sink into permanent schizophrenia.

Going through a rough time of his own after his father's death, Sobol reluctantly agrees to become a "temporary federal institution," and takes custody of the seemingly insane Vitti. Once free, Vitti gives up his crazy person act, much to Sobol's chagrin.

The rest of the movie is an ingratiatingly comic, predictable tale of reformation: Will Vitti sink back into a life of crime, or will he exorcise his demons and come out a changed mobster? Vitti isn't the only one who needs rehabilitation, however. The movie shamefully makes an attempt at serious drama, latching onto Sobol's complicated feelings about his dead father.

He begins abusing prescription medication, and although his problem is mentioned a couple of times, there is no clear resolution.

The movie contains other devices that are supposed to fill the time but really just make it more painful to watch. Sobol's wife, played by Lisa Kudrow, is pointless -- just an excuse to have a woman in the story.

There's also a mafia television series within the movie that's a shameless satire of show business and mafia portrayals in popular culture.

More than anything, it's sad watching De Niro in the role. Here is a man who, in the past, has taken risks for the sake of art. There's no art in Analyze That except the art of trying to make money. Grade: D