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After a decade-long hiatus from filmmaking, director Barry Levinson returns with The Alto Knights, a mob drama 50 years in the making. The film, based on the lives of notorious New York crime figures Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, finally emerges from development hell with a unique casting twist: Robert De Niro plays both roles.
De Niro, a veteran of the gangster genre with iconic roles in films like Goodfellas and The Irishman, takes on the dual challenge of portraying both Costello, the “prime minister of the underworld,” and his volatile rival, Genovese. The film opens with Costello’s attempted assassination in 1957, an act orchestrated by Genovese. Rather than pursuing vengeance, Costello chooses to avoid a mob war, setting the stage for a flashback to the pair’s early days.
The story then rewinds to the turn of the century, chronicling the duo’s rise through the ranks of the Luciano crime family, their early camaraderie at the Alto Knights Social Club, and their divergent paths. Vito’s ascent to leadership is cut short by a murder charge, forcing him to flee to Italy. During his absence, Frank builds a powerful criminal empire, securing influence through corrupt officials.
The narrative quickly jumps back to the present, focusing on the power struggle between the two men. Vito, portrayed as impulsive and eager to establish a drug operation, clashes with Frank’s desire for a more legitimate image. While the film attempts to depict the complexities of their relationship, the rapid pacing sacrifices potential depth, especially considering Levinson’s proven ability to portray nuanced friendships, as seen in Diner and Avalon.
The effectiveness of De Niro playing both roles is debatable. While it might symbolize the duality of their criminal natures, it primarily serves as a showcase for De Niro’s versatility.
He convincingly embodies both the cool and collected Costello and the fiery Genovese, reminiscent of Joe Pesci’s iconic hothead persona. The supporting cast includes Debra Messing as Costello’s devoted wife and Kathrine Narducci as Genovese’s equally passionate spouse.
The Alto Knights incorporates real-life events like Senate crime investigations and a historic mob summit, yet it relies heavily on visual cues like flashing cameras and newspaper headlines to emphasize its historical context. The film’s strength ultimately lies in De Niro’s performance, particularly his portrayal of the conflicted Costello. Despite the film’s flaws, De Niro’s portrayal of Costello offers a compelling glimpse into the mind of a complex and ultimately sentimentalized gangster, reminding us of Hollywood’s enduring fascination with romanticized portrayals of organized crime.