Mob boss Paul Vitti and his
consigliere Manetta are discussing an upcoming meeting and the Mafia's present-day problems over lunch. As Manetta warns Paul to look out for Primo Sindone (an up-and-coming mafioso who wants to be
capo di tutti capi), gunmen bypass and kill Manetta.
Psychiatrist Ben Sobel is disillusioned with his life: his son from his first marriage spies on his sessions, his patients have been boring him, and his wedding to Laura MacNamara is nearing. Distracted, Ben accidentally
rear-ends a car belonging to Paul. Jelly, one of Vitti's men, takes the blame, but Ben gives Jelly his business card in case he decides to contact him regarding damages. During a meeting, Paul has a
panic attack and tells Jelly that he needs to see a psychiatrist, but it has to be kept a secret. Jelly recommends Ben. Paul visits Ben, claiming that his friend needs therapy, but Ben deduces his lie. As he realizes that Paul is talking about himself, it impresses Paul enough to want to see him permanently, to Ben's chagrin. Ben flies to
Miami for his wedding with Laura, but Paul, Jelly and the crew follow him. Paul explains that he has been suffering from
erectile dysfunction, and Ben suggests that the source of the problem might be
stress. The next day, Paul has another panic attack and demands to see Ben. Paul explains his history with his father, so Ben thinks that this might have something to do with Paul's
anxiety. The wedding is interrupted when an
assassin is killed by Jelly. Ben confronts Paul, causing him to lose his temper. Ben suggests that he resolve his anger by calling Primo and telling him how he feels. Paul phones Primo and threatens to kill him if he makes another attempt on Paul's life. Ben and his family return to their home in New York, where they discover a fountain in their garden, a gift from Paul. The
FBI arrives and requests that Ben inform on Paul, but he refuses despite the FBI's threats. He changes his mind when the FBI plays a tape on which Paul reveals his intention to kill Ben after the meeting (which the FBI had doctored: Paul actually said that he would kill anyone who harmed Ben). At his next meeting with Paul, Ben wears a wire but discards it when he learns that, as a child, Paul witnessed his father being murdered. Paul, informed that Ben is working with the FBI, takes him to a secluded place to kill him. They get into a heated argument, but Paul begins sobbing as he admits that he blames himself for his father's death. Two hitmen arrive to kill Paul, but Jelly kills them both. Paul apologizes for planning to kill Ben, and the two go their separate ways. On the day of the meeting, Paul has a severe emotional breakdown. Jelly interrupts Ben's wedding, requesting that Ben attend the meeting as Paul's
consigliere. Ben is nervous at first, but eventually grows into his role and ends up offending Primo so much that he pulls a gun on Ben. Paul arrives, orders Primo to stand down, and announces that he knows that a traitor in his own family killed Dominic, but he will not seek revenge because he has decided to retire from the Mafia. Outside, a shootout ensues between Paul's and Primo's men, during which Ben sacrifices himself for Paul. The FBI intervenes, the mobsters are arrested, and Ben is taken to the hospital. Ben visits Paul in prison, and Paul thanks Ben for his help before informing him that Primo is dead. At home, Ben dances with his new wife as
Tony Bennett serenades them. ==Cast==