There is always room for one more mobster movie, right? My expectations were high upon hearing that Robert DeNiro would be portraying not just one but TWO of the infamous 20th-century crime bosses. (These racketeers both set up shop in NYC [Little Italy], wherein they called the “Alto Knights Social Club” their home). In any case, I was also anticipating the film’s opening because of the exceptional tandem of award-winning director Barry Levinson and writer, Nicholas Pileggi (“Goodfellas”). With this A-Team, I surmised, what could possibly go wrong?!?!

Starting with the positives, there were many things which I liked in this film.  First, DeNiro successfully plays the two crime lords (Frank Costello and Vito Genovese) who, while having similar backgrounds, are markedly different in personality.  Once again, DeNiro demonstrates the mastery of his craft, particularly in this genre (e.g. “Goodfellas”, “Casino”, “The Irishman”, etc.).  Second, my understanding is that the movie stays fairly honest in regards to the facts, albeit a fictionalized version of actual events.  Finally, both the interior and exterior shots serve to magically transport the movie-goer back to 1957 (when the lion’s share of the movie is set).

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Now for the two underwhelming aspects of the film.  First and foremost, the ongoing narration by Frank Costello (DeNiro) is exhausting, and for me, it was a distraction.  At certain moments when I felt immersed in the story, I was jolted back out of my “immersion” by a seemingly emotionally distant Costello speaking directly into the camera.  (However, I do realize that the narration served to keep the story seamless, understandable, and moving forward).  Second, staying true to real life is a double-edged sword in filmmaking.  Put bluntly, sometimes reality is not all that suspenseful, thrilling, or even entertaining. This is the unfortunate case with the film, particularly as it moves towards its conclusion. Nevertheless, I did appreciate that I did not feel a need to “fact-check” every last detail in the movie.

While fans of the gangster movie genre will be drawn to buy tickets for this movie, they are hereby forewarned that their expectations should be tempered.  Without question, a relatively recent film, “The Irishman” (2019), was a more suspenseful watch.  Nevertheless, if one respects US history, one will be pleased with this movie.  By complete coincidence, I took in this film at a Cineplex in NYC which is located very close to where Costello actually lived.  It is truly amazing that these “Goodfellas” lived amongst us in plain sight!

Grade: B

About The Peetimes: It was rather easy to identify Peetimes for this film (there are some prolonged parts). The second Peetime is the best of the three.

There are no extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of The Alto Knights.

Plot
Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, a pair of Italian Americans who were rivals for control of a major crime family in the mid-20th century. Genovese attempted to assassinate Costello in 1957, although Costello retired from the mob.