TL;DR – An interesting experiment that looks back on America’s past, anchored by Robert De Niro’s dual performances. Compelling right up to the point it starts meandering everywhere.    

Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene.

Disclosure – I was invited to a press screening of this film.

The Alto Knights Review –

When it comes to mobster films set in and around New York, there are few names as crucial as Robert De Niro. So, when you hear that he is taking not just one lead in a new mob film but pulling double duty as both of the main antagonists, based on a real event, well, that is a scenario that calls for attention.   

So, to set the scene, it is 1957 on the streets of New York City where professional gambler Frank Costello (Robert De Niro) has just arrived home after a charity dinner and is waiting for the lift up to his penthouse apartment when he hears his name called out from behind, and Vincent Gigante (Cosmo Jarvis) promptly shoots him in the head. Frank survives, but he is the boss of bosses, who would put a hit out on him. Well, a rival did not just betray him but the one person he once called a friend, Vito Genovese (Robert De Niro).   

The first thing that I want to say is that I hope the makeup and prosthetics team from this film get the accolades that they have earned because their work was spectacular. They helped bring two very different characters to life, much in the same way that The Batman team did. However, you also retain just enough of Robert De Niro in both of the characters to help sell the duality of the characters; they are rivals, but they are really mirror images. This change also stretches to Cosmo Jarvis, who is almost unrecognisable, and that brings so much to his character.

While this is based on a real story, and if you look it up, the bones of the events did happen, even if the characters and points might not have occurred in the same order and timeframe. Where this film shines is not as much in the history, but in the performances. There is no weak link in the cast, with everyone bringing their character to life. I felt Debra Messing bringing those frustrations and honest concerns to life. The old order is afraid of the new change in town, trying to maintain the status quo as one of their own goes on a rampage. There are these wild moments where you can’t believe what is going down, such as a moment on a car ride, and these moments are full of tension that has you on the edge of the chair.

However, even with a strong foundation, you can’t help but see the issues in the structure. This is a film that is jumping around all over the place, and it struggles to keep those narrative connections together. While that lack of connection is an issue, it is then amplified by a story that starts to meander all over the place. There is a leaner film in here, but it felt like it could not decide if it wanted it to be a film about Vito and Frank’s rivalry or the outcome of the disastrous Appalachian Meeting, and that disconnect ripples throughout the film. You can feel that the insertion of an almost documentary overlay was an attempt to stopgap this issue, but I am not sure it worked.

In the end, do we recommend The Alto Knights? Look, if you go into it wanting to see some of the best Italian character actors in the industry chew the scenery while yelling, “Plead the 5^th,” then this is the film for you. But if not, then I think this may be a more frustrating enterprise.  

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

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Credits – All images were created by the cast, crew, and production companies of The Alto Knights
Directed by – Barry Levinson
Written by – Nicholas Pileggi
Music by – David Fleming
Cinematography by – Dante Spinotti
Edited by – Douglas Crise
Production/Distribution Companies – Winkler Films & Warner Bros. Pictures
Starring – Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Cosmo Jarvis, Kathrine Narducci, Michael Rispoli, Wallace Langham, Matt Servitto, Louis Mustillo, Carrie Lazar, Belmont Cameli, James Ciccone, Bob Glouberman, Ed Amatrudo & Sydney Miles with Jeffrey Grover, Joe Bacino, Abi Van Andel, Brian Scolaro, Noah Bain Garret, Robert Arce, Jean Zarzour, Luke Stanton Eddy, Greg Siewny, Michael Adler, Seve Esposito, Rich Williams, Christine McBurney, Todd Covert, Mike Seely, Amadeo Fusca, Robert DiDonato, John Dinello, James P. Harkins, Louie Lawless, Anthony J. Gallo, Robert Uricola, Ed Formica, Mark Axelowitz, Frank Piccirillo, Shantel Routt & Glenn Cunningham.
Rating – Australia: MA15+; Canada: 14A; Germany: na; New Zealand: na; United Kingdom: 15; United States: R