Robert De Niro Car Salesman Movie: A Hilarious Turn For A Mob Boss

Cristal Yundt 16 Jul 2025

Have you ever pictured a hardened mob boss trying to sell you a used car? Well, it's a pretty funny thought, isn't it? The idea of a tough guy, known for intense roles, suddenly trying to push a vehicle on you is, in a way, just a little bit absurd. This very scenario, featuring the legendary Robert De Niro, became one of his most talked-about comedic moments on screen. It really shows a different side to an actor many people associate with very serious characters.

For fans of his work, and especially those who enjoy a good laugh, the movie where Robert De Niro plays a car salesman is a memorable one. It comes from "Analyze That," the follow-up to the hit "Analyze This." The film brings back Robert De Niro as mobster Paul Vitti and Billy Crystal as psychiatrist Ben Sobol. Following the success of the first film, Warner Bros. brought these two together again, apparently hoping for more of that same magic. It's a film that, in some respects, explores what happens when a mobster tries to find a new path, even if that path involves a sales job.

The particular scene where you see Robert De Niro in this unexpected role is often highlighted as one of his funniest clips. You can watch him play the part of an Italian car salesman from the movie "Analyze That." It's a moment that, quite frankly, catches you off guard and delivers a good chuckle, seeing such a powerful actor in such an ordinary, yet completely out-of-character, situation. This scene, more or less, encapsulates the film's comedic spirit.

Robert De Niro: A Brief Look at the Actor
The Film: Analyze That and Its Origins
Paul Vitti's Unexpected Career Move
The Car Salesman Scene Unpacked
The Humor of the Situation
More on Analyze That and Its Reception
Frequently Asked Questions About the Movie

Robert De Niro: A Brief Look at the Actor

Robert De Niro is a performer who has graced the screen for many years, earning a reputation for his deep commitment to his roles. He has appeared in a very wide range of pictures, from intense crime stories to lighthearted comedies. His ability to transform for each part is, in a way, quite remarkable, making him a truly respected figure in the acting world. Many people know him for his dramatic work, but his comedic timing is also something to admire, as this particular film shows.

Personal Details and Bio Data

Detail	Information
Full Name	Robert Anthony De Niro Jr.
Birth Date	August 17, 1943
Birth Place	Greenwich Village, New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, Producer, Director
Active Years	1963–present
Notable Roles	Vito Corleone, Travis Bickle, Jake LaMotta, Jimmy Conway, Al Capone, Paul Vitti
Awards	Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Cecil B. DeMille Award, Presidential Medal of Freedom

The Film: Analyze That and Its Origins

"Analyze That" is a comedy film that came out in 2002. It serves as the continuation of the 1999 hit "Analyze This." The first movie saw mob boss Paul Vitti, played by Robert De Niro, dealing with anxiety attacks and seeking help from a psychiatrist, Ben Sobol, played by Billy Crystal. The pairing of a tough guy with a gentle therapist was, quite frankly, a recipe for a lot of laughs, and it worked very well. That success naturally led to the making of a second movie, with the hope of recapturing that special spark. Warner Bros., the studio behind the films, moved forward with the sequel, bringing back the key players for more comedic situations.

Paul Vitti's Unexpected Career Move

In "Analyze That," the story picks up with mobster Paul Vitti being released into Dr. Ben Sobol's care. This arrangement, as you can imagine, leads to even more chaos. Vitti, trying to go straight or at least appear to be doing so, explores different paths. One of these paths, which provides a good deal of the film's humor, involves him attempting to hold down a regular job. It's a truly amusing concept, seeing a character who has always operated outside the normal rules trying to fit into a typical work environment. The idea that he might try something like selling cars is, apparently, part of his journey to adjust to a different kind of life.

The plot centers on Vitti's supposed efforts to reform, which are, in reality, often just a front for his old ways or an attempt to get out of prison. He tries various jobs, and each one usually ends in some kind of humorous disaster. His stint as a car salesman is, in some respects, the highlight of these attempts. It showcases his particular brand of persuasion, which is, shall we say, a bit more forceful than what you might expect from a typical salesperson. This entire setup allows for Robert De Niro to play with his tough-guy image in a very lighthearted way, making for some memorable scenes. The character of Paul Vitti, as depicted by De Niro, is just so accustomed to getting his way, which makes his struggles with everyday tasks pretty funny to watch.

The Car Salesman Scene Unpacked

The specific scene where Robert De Niro acts as a car salesman in "Analyze That" is, arguably, one of the most talked-about moments from the film. Here, Paul Vitti is attempting to work at a car dealership, trying to convince customers to buy vehicles. It's a situation that, in a way, is ripe for comedy because Vitti's natural mobster tendencies constantly surface. He doesn't quite grasp the usual customer service approach. Instead, he applies his intimidating, direct style to selling cars. This leads to some truly funny interactions, as he tries to close deals using methods that are, to be honest, more suited to a back alley than a showroom floor.

For instance, he might use subtle threats or very strong suggestions to get a customer to sign on the dotted line. The contrast between the polite, often timid, world of car sales and Vitti's aggressive personality is where the humor really comes from. It's not just that he's bad at the job; it's that he's fundamentally unsuited for it because he can't turn off his mobster persona. This scene, in particular, has become a very popular clip online, showing De Niro's skill at physical comedy and his ability to make a tough guy utterly ridiculous. It’s a moment that, you know, really sticks with you after seeing the movie. His facial expressions and the way he carries himself in this role are, quite frankly, priceless.

The Humor of the Situation

The humor in seeing Robert De Niro as a car salesman comes from a few places. First, there's the sheer unexpectedness of it. An actor so known for playing serious, often violent, characters suddenly trying to sell a minivan is, in a way, inherently funny. Second, the comedy comes from Vitti's inability to adapt. He tries to be a normal person, but his ingrained mobster habits keep breaking through. This creates situations where his "sales pitch" sounds more like a demand, and his "customer service" feels like an interrogation. It's a very clever way to play on audience expectations, and it works very well.

Moreover, the scene highlights the brilliance of Robert De Niro's performance. He doesn't just play a mobster pretending to be a salesman; he plays a mobster who genuinely *thinks* he's being a good salesman, using all the wrong tools for the job. This commitment to the character, even in a comedic setting, is what makes it so effective. It's a subtle performance in its own right, despite the broad comedy. The expressions on his face, the way he moves, and his delivery of lines are, quite honestly, what make the scene so memorable. It's a masterclass in comedic timing, showing that even a serious actor can be incredibly funny when given the right material. This particular clip, as a matter of fact, often gets shared because it's such a perfect example of unexpected humor.

More on Analyze That and Its Reception

While "Analyze That" brought back the beloved characters and the comedic premise, some viewers and critics felt it didn't quite hit the same mark as the first film. As the provided text mentions, "What seemed like a clever idea the first time feels like a retread the second." This sentiment, in a way, points to the challenge of making a sequel that feels fresh while still delivering what fans loved about the original. The dynamic between Paul Vitti and Dr. Ben Sobol, while still present, might have felt less surprising to some. The film, nevertheless, still offered plenty of laughs, especially in scenes like the car salesman bit, which stood out as genuinely funny moments.

The movie, despite some mixed feelings about its overall plot, is still a very important part of Robert De Niro's comedic filmography. It really solidified his ability to play against type and embrace lighter roles. His performance as Paul Vitti, both in "Analyze This" and "Analyze That," showed a versatility that many people might not have expected from him. So, even if the second film didn't quite capture the initial surprise of the first, it still gave us some truly funny moments and proved that De Niro could make us laugh just as easily as he could make us feel tense. You can learn more about Robert De Niro's diverse filmography on our site, and perhaps you might also be interested in this page exploring other unexpected celebrity roles.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Movie

Which movie features Robert De Niro as a car salesman?

Robert De Niro plays a car salesman in the movie "Analyze That." This film is the sequel to "Analyze This," and it brings back his character, mob boss Paul Vitti, as he tries to navigate life outside of prison. The car salesman role is just one of the humorous attempts he makes at finding a new career, and it's, you know, a pretty funny part of the story.

Is "Analyze That" as good as "Analyze This"?

Opinions vary on whether "Analyze That" is as good as its predecessor, "Analyze This." Many people feel that while it has its funny moments, especially the car salesman scene, it might not quite reach the same level of originality or impact as the first film. The idea, as a matter of fact, might have felt a bit less fresh the second time around, but it still has its fans.

What is Paul Vitti's problem in "Analyze That"?

In "Analyze That," Paul Vitti is released into the care of his psychiatrist, Dr. Ben Sobol. His problem is, basically, trying to adjust to a normal life outside of the mob, or at least appearing to do so. He struggles with anxiety and finding a new purpose, which leads to him trying out different jobs, like being a car salesman. This often results in chaos and, quite frankly, a lot of funny situations for Dr. Sobol to handle.

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