In 1957, Frank Costello (Robert De Niro) steps into a New York City highrise, his sleek grey suit and fedora making him stand out against the refined lobby’s walnut interior. The film “The Alto Knights” follows this iconic mobster as he navigates rivalries and power struggles with friend Vito Genovese (also played by De Niro). While Levinson explores Costello’s past through documentary-style filmmaking, the film’s predictable plot fails to deliver innovation or surprises.
De Niro’s portrayal of Costello is solid, but he stretches himself too thin as the character’s personality becomes one-dimensional. The film relies heavily on repetitive backstory and doesn’t delve into the complexities of Costello’s world beyond that. Levinson’s take feels more like a retread than an ode to the mob genre.
With its strong period detail and performances from Debra Messing and Kathrine Narducci, “The Alto Knights” has some redeeming qualities. However, as a gangster film, it fails to deliver new or interesting sights, instead plodding along with a predictable narrative that neglects to explore the era’s cultural significance.
Levinson’s direction often feels dutiful, lacking the spirit and passion of other films within the genre. The film’s climax, where Costello testsifies before the Senate, is an intense moment, but it doesn’t elevate the movie beyond its stagnant pace. Overall, “The Alto Knights” falls flat as a gangster film that fails to innovate or surprise.
Source: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-alto-knights-film-review-2025