Alto Knights
released 2025
www.ink2quill.com

“Alto Knights” is an American, crime drama film produced by Irwin Winkler, David Winkler, Charles Winkler, Anthony Tittanegro, Jason Sosnoff, J. J. Sacha, Barry Lewison, Andrew Lary, Karen Kane, Mike Drake, Pete Chiapetta and John A. Amicarella. It was directed by Barry Lewison and written by Nicholas Pileggi. It stars a gigantic cast which includes Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Kathrine Narducci, Cosmo Jarvis, Michael Rispoli, Robert Uricola, Frank Piccirillo, Matt Servitto, Louis Mustillo, Anthony J. Gallo, James Ciccone, Joe Bacino, Luke Stanton Eddy, Antonio Cipriano, Brian Scolaro, Wallace Langham, Ed Amatrudo, Mike Seely, Amadeo Fusca, Bob Glouberman, Kimeron Collins, Peyton Stockdale, John Dinello, Jocelyn Sluka, Bryant Carroll, Todd Covert, Robert Arce, Brian Spangler and many more.

Alto Knights IMDb webpage

“Alto Knights” is a crime drama, based on real historical events surrounding the gangster Frank Costello, played by Robert De Niro. It’s the late 1950s and gangster Frank Costello survives an assassination attempt perpetrated by the other top boss Vito Genovese, played by Robert De Niro thanks to the magic of makeup and AI. In the story Vito is envious of Frank and feels he is owed. He went to jail for a while and turned the running of the criminal empire to Frank who ran things well, according to the ‘streets’. One of the reasons for Frank’s success is his use of diplomacy over violence in certain cases. In short, Vito realizes that he is not missed when he returns from jail. Vito’s methods of running the crime empire of New York are much more violent and ‘upset the apple cart’, so to speak. The film is a revealing look at the gangster Frank Costello in the later part of his life.

Now, I have to start by saying that I found a few, what looked like, mistakes in the film but I enjoyed the film anyway. I had no idea how progressive a gangster Frank was. He was a good husband to his dutiful wife. I loved their relationship and how close they were. I liked his use of diplomacy in solving problems which decreased the use of violence and murder. Don’t get it twisted though, he was by no means a model citizen. Frank was a gangster trying to survive his shift into retirement. I also loved the way he realized what a terrible world he thrived in and that he had to get out of that world and enjoy the pleasures of ordinary life as an average person. I’d call this wisdom.

One of the things to keep in mind is that this is not a typical gangster movie. It isn’t about some young, ambitious guys ruthlessly climbing to the top of the New York City underworld of the early 1900s. There isn’t gratuitous violence, gun battles, street swagger scenes from the main characters. There’s none of that. And for many people that is the main reason to watch a gangster movie. This is the story of a well liked gangster trying to survive into his retirement, and that’s a accomplishment. The story still works in spite of this because it’s a look at gangster Frank Costello laying plans for his retirement.

Another thing about this film is its budget and ability to recreate New York City from the late 1950s without obvious AI software which aren’t yet up to scratch. Finding locations in a changed, more modern New York City where most neighborhoods are just too modern to shoot in is a problem to solve. Location scouts did do a good job with this though. I did see a few mistakes which I won’t mention and did not really negatively impact the story. That’s just a slight precaution for all those people making period piece films. It’s not always so obvious but this film pulled it off.

Otherwise, I enjoyed this film and found it informative and a good watch. So, check it out and enjoy a gangster film that is not like the others.

John Ink2Quill

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