newsheaven

Throughout his acting career, Robert DeNiro has taken on roles such as a godfather, an Irishman, and a good fellow. Currently, he is portraying a couple of wise guys. In “The Alto Knights,” DeNiro plays not one, but two notorious gangsters: Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, two Mafia bosses who ascended to prominence together and eventually turned into virtual archenemies within the New York City criminal underworld. Based on the work of Nicholas Pileggi, who authored " Wiseguy: Life in a Mafia Family" —the inspiration behind the classic gangster movie "Goodfellas"—this Barry Levinson-directed film (known for directing " Rain Man") offers a meticulously detailed account of the complex relationship between Costello and Genovese. The narrative delves into their power dynamics, culminating in an assassination attempt that severely tests the previously strong bond shared by these influential mob leaders. In the movie, Costello, dubbed ...