“The Alto Knights” (2025) directed by Barry Levinson, starring Robert De Niro / Z-View

The Alto Knights (2025)

Director:  Barry Levinson

Screenplay:  Nicholas Pileggi

Stars: Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Kathrine Narducci, Cosmo Jarvis, Michael Rispoli, James Ciccone, Wallace Langham, Ed Amatrudo, Mike Seely and Brian Scolaro.

Tagline: The most dangerous enemy is an old friend

The Plot…

Frank Costello and Vito Genovese grew up together as best friends.  They became notorius crime bosses for different families.  When Costello plans to retire he informs Genovese.  Genovese smells a doublecross.  Soon a gang war irrupts.  Who will survive?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Who cares?  I tapped out after about 30 minutes.

A lot of the movie is voice overs played as old time photos appear.  I also thought having De Niro play both parts was more distracting than it should be.

Although Robert De Niro plays both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, an actor was hired to play opposite De Niro during filming.  De Niro felt it was needed to get the best performance.  So the actor would play Costello while De Niro acted as Genovese.  The De Niro and the actor would switch parts and redo the scenes.  The actor hired has been kept a secret.

The Alto Knights (2025) rates 1 of 5 stars.