The Alto Knights (2025) - Review of the Blu-ray

      The Alto Knights, 2025.

      Directed by Barry Levinson.

      Featuring Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Cosmo Jarvis, Kathrine Narducci, and Michael Rispoli.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Warner Bros. has released the mob-themed film The Alto Knights on Blu-ray. The disc only includes a code for a digital version, lacking any bonus features apart from a brief one-minute micro-featurette that comes with the digital copy. This isn't surprising considering the film's disappointing box office performance. While I didn't find it as bad as the numbers suggest, it certainly didn't reach the heights of classic mob films.

      Is there a need for yet another mob movie? In the case of The Alto Knights, the film had been lingering in Hollywood since the 1970s under the title The Wise Guys until Warner Bros. revived it with a new name in 2022. It may have been received differently had it been released in the 70s or 80s when it could have aligned better with the mob films of that time, instead of feeling like a lesser entry in 2025. Notably, Nicholas Pileggi, co-writer of GoodFellas, was involved in the script, with Barry Levinson as the director.

      Robert De Niro takes on dual roles in The Alto Knights, portraying friendly mobsters turned rivals Frank Costello and Vito Genovese, both affiliated with the Luciano crime family. However, Frank lacks Vito's appetite for brutal violence, and his intention to resign as boss raises Vito's suspicions about a potential plot against him. This sets off a cat-and-mouse dynamic, showcasing Frank's cunning against Vito's aggressive nature. Although casting De Niro in both roles can be seen as a gimmick, the prosthetics and De Niro's impressive acting made it easy for me to view them as distinct characters.

      Regarding the casting, I was initially skeptical about Debra Messing’s ability to portray Frank’s wife, Bobbie Costello, but she impressively fulfilled that role. I found the entire cast well-suited to their parts.

      Ultimately, I considered The Alto Knights one of those films that is good but not exceptional. I’m unsure what could have elevated it to become one of the great mob movies, perhaps that part of American history has simply been exhausted. The decline of interest in mob films could explain its lackluster box office results.

      This Blu-ray release includes a code for a digital copy but no additional features on the disc itself. However, the digital section contains the one-minute piece One Legend, Two Mobsters, which features interviews with some cast members, Levinson, and producer Irwin Winkler (a notable figure in Hollywood), indicating that some effort was made to include extras for this release (though no clips with De Niro are included).

      Perhaps there was an intention to develop more comprehensive special features, but the decision was made to significantly reduce those efforts due to the film's box office performance. If that was the case, it’s unfortunate, as I would have appreciated a deeper look into its making, even if it were just a brief 20-minute feature offering the essentials.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Brad Cook