Movie lovers get ready for a double dose of De Niro! Robert De Niro is back in the gangster game but this time he is pulling double duty. In his new movie "The Alto Knights" De Niro isn't just playing one mob boss he is playing TWO! And guess where a lot of the action went down? Cincinnati Ohio! Yep the Queen City is getting its Hollywood moment.
Cincinnati Steals the Scene: Familiar Spots Shine in 'The Alto Knights'
You might be surprised to hear that "The Alto Knights" filmed all over Cincinnati . Like seriously all over. Kristen Schlotman president of Film Cincinnati spilled the beans that nearly 50 different locations around the city were used for the movie. That is a lot of Cincy on screen!
Schlotman mentioned some cool spots you might recognize. Little Italy near Arnold's got transformed for filming and some of Cincinnati's old historic ballrooms also made it into the movie. Having a film like this shot entirely in town is a big deal for Cincinnati. Schlotman says it brings a ton of exposure to the area. And when you have a legend like De Niro involved people pay attention. It helps put Cincinnati on the map as a cool place to film movies. Word gets around in Hollywood when stars and crews have a good time somewhere and that can bring even more projects to town.
Double the Trouble Double the De Niro: Frank Costello vs Vito Genovese
So what's the movie actually about? "The Alto Knights" is a sprawling mafia saga. De Niro is playing two real-life mob bosses Frank Costello and Vito Genovese. These guys were HUGE in the New York organized crime scene back in the day. The movie kicks off in 1959 with a dramatic opening scene and then goes back in time to show how Costello and Genovese rose to power.
These guys started out working together back in the Prohibition era working for Lucky Luciano. But things get complicated especially when Vito feels like Frank is not giving him his fair share. The movie is about their friendship their rivalry and the battle for control in the mob world. It spans decades and sounds like a classic gangster story with a twist thanks to De Niro’s dual performance.
Reviewers are Raving: 'The Alto Knights' is a Rich and Detailed Mafia Epic
Early reviews are calling "The Alto Knights" a "sprawling richly detailed mafia saga". Variety even said it serves up a "double helping of Robert De Niro". That sounds pretty tasty right?
Critics are praising De Niro's dual performance saying he creates two distinct characters despite playing both roles himself. They mention that it's not just a gimmick the double role actually works and that De Niro delivers. The movie is also getting props for its detailed story thanks to screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi who also wrote "Goodfellas". Director Barry Levinson known for "Bugsy" and "Rain Man" is being praised for his command of the genre. Some reviewers are saying it's a relief to see a director of his experience still at the top of his game.
The movie is described as less glamorous than typical gangster films more about the nitty-gritty of the mob world. It's also noted that "The Alto Knights" uses makeup and prosthetics to age De Niro for the different time periods which is being seen as a better approach than CGI de-aging like in "The Irishman".
De Niro and Levinson: A Winning Director-Actor Team-Up
Director Barry Levinson and Robert De Niro have a history of making great movies together. They have worked together on films like "Sleepers" "Wag the Dog" "What Just Happened?" and "The Wizard of Lies". IndieWire even calls their partnership "special" saying Levinson has a knack for getting great performances out of iconic stars especially De Niro.
For "The Alto Knights" Levinson says the idea to have De Niro play both roles came from producer Irwin Winkler. Levinson thought it was "intriguing and certainly challenging". He says De Niro was "very meticulous" in creating two distinct characters with different rhythms and looks. Levinson mentions that they spent days refining every scene exploring different possibilities and that De Niro is incredibly committed to his roles even after all his success.
Key Things to Know About 'The Alto Knights':
- Double De Niro: Robert De Niro plays TWO lead roles as rival mob bosses Frank Costello and Vito Genovese.
- Cincinnati Setting: Filmed entirely in Cincinnati Ohio showcasing local spots.
- Gangster Saga: Sprawling story spanning decades from Prohibition to the 1950s.
- From the Creators of Classics: Screenplay by Nicholas Pileggi ("Goodfellas") directed by Barry Levinson ("Bugsy" "Rain Man").
- Based on True Story: Movie depicts real-life mob bosses and events.
- Vintage Vibe: Film incorporates black-and-white stills to depict earlier time periods.
- Makeup Magic: Prosthetics and makeup used to transform De Niro for dual roles and aging.
Get Ready for a Mob Movie Masterpiece (Times Two!)
If you are a fan of gangster movies Robert De Niro or just great acting in general "The Alto Knights" sounds like a must-see. With De Niro in a dual role a director like Barry Levinson and a story from the writer of "Goodfellas" this movie has all the ingredients for a classic. Plus you get to spot some familiar Cincinnati locations on the big screen. Keep an eye out for "The Alto Knights" it sounds like it will be a cinematic event worth checking out!