The Alto Knights

Renowned for playing the gangster type, De Niro just had to come back twice. The whole two-character, one-actor gimmick didn't work for me. I'd accept it if they were twins in reality, but they aren't even related. As for the story, it lost my attention too many times. Apart from the over-the-top profanity, I couldn't tell you what I learnt. It's a shame since the cinematography sets the tone and atmosphere almost perfectly. I could see most of what I was watching, but I couldn't stay locked in. Boring performances with bland and unoriginal storytelling. It presents itself as groundbreaking, but it's more so forgettable.

Exactly what you expect it to be, good performances generally, a little long, worth a watch for fans of the genre.

9/10 based on True story which never get old, Rob D is such a fantastic actor, this film proves it, playing both characters with completely different personalities with strength. Recommend.

Solid gangster film but what really made this film awesome was seeing Roberth De Niro play two different characters.

Looooong but not bad

Rating: 5.6/10 ⭐️

I expected a mob epic, but De Niro playing both leads felt like a distracting gimmick.

What Worked:
Spinotti’s camera and 1950s cars give the sets a gritty texture. Through my Methodist lens, I loved Costello’s arc. Seeing him walk away from bloodshed to protect his wife and break the cycle of violence resonated with my values on peace. Technically, editing De Niro's dual performances together was super clean.

The Cuts:
Costello's slow maneuverings (like leisurely apple-picking) make the narrative momentum completely stall out before the climax. The dual-role casting is super distracting; I kept staring at the VFX instead of feeling the emotions. Keeping it spoiler-free, the ambitious underboss turning on his mentor is a tired trope bringing zero fresh energy.

Verdict:
A sluggish drama relying on a casting trick. Okay for the '50s aesthetic, skip if you want a fast gangster flick.

Favorite Line: “I'm willing to play the long game.”