De Niro’s Dual Role: The Epic Conclusion of Pileggi’s Mob Movie Trilogy!

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The world of organized crime, encompassing figures like the mafia and Cosa Nostra, has been a recurring theme in some of the most iconic films ever made. Notably, Nicholas Pileggi has contributed to this genre by collaborating with renowned actors such as Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Martin Scorsese on several occasions. Now, in their latest collaboration, titled The Alto Knights, Pileggi reunites with De Niro, along with producer Irwin Winkler and director Barry Levinson, to conclude their extensive body of work in the realm of mob stories.

What or why does the film serve as a capstone to the extraordinary work spanning decades in the genre, according to Pileggi’s explanation? In our exclusive conversation, he explains that “This movie symbolizes… the demise of that era. And the portrayal of these two characters struggling against it until the end is what effectively dismantled the mob.

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but marvel at the remarkable performance of Robert De Niro in “The Alto Knights.” In this film, he masterfully portrays not one, but two pivotal figures – Frank Costello and Vito Genovese. These characters have been subtly hinted at in the margins of other mafia movies and TV series from days gone by. However, they truly ruled the Cosa Nostra during its golden age, standing atop the criminal hierarchy in their prime.

In every mob story you’ve encountered so far, whether it’s based on truth or fiction, there’s always been a powerful figure at the top of the mafia hierarchy. That influential position would have belonged to Costello and Genovese. They were present right from the beginning with Tommy Luchese and other crucial early players, and they were still around when it all ended. In fact, they were the ones who ultimately brought about its demise. For Pileggi, a scholar of real-life mafia history and a writer of some of its most memorable cinematic portrayals, this was the fitting way to conclude the story.

I’ve made three films about organized crime, each exploring different aspects of its history:

1. The first was “Goodfellas”, a depiction of how young men initially join the mob and their eventual downfall.
2. In “Casino”, we see these criminal groups receiving massive amounts of money to establish casinos, only to squander it all.
3. Lastly, [“The Alto Kngihts”] portrays the demise of this world.

Each film offers a unique perspective on the mob’s rise and fall.

In simpler terms, the movie suggests that the world depicted is one where, by the time later waves of immigration arrived in the young American nation, the original settlers had already taken and exploited the land and resources. The earlier immigrants had made their fortunes from this exploitation. By the late 19th century, what was left for the newcomers to claim was limited. The conflict between characters like De Nero’s Frank Costello and Genovese would eventually lead to a collapse of this system, though beware of potential spoilers if you haven’t watched the film.

[The Mob] began in the early 1900s. They faced challenges during prohibition, and their activities came to a turning point when Frank Costello failed to show up at Appalachia, leading to their mass arrest. For the first time, they were publicly revealed as organized crime syndicates like Cosa Nostra or the Mafia. This revelation was splashed across newspaper headlines, and even the FBI could no longer deny their existence.

Double the De Niro

One distinctive feature of this movie is that Robert De Niro takes on dual lead characters. Producer Irwin Winkler found it hard to envision any other actors fitting either of the powerful figures in organized crime. He stated:

Nick Pileggi didn’t compose the script with any particular actor in mind. Instead, he developed two intriguing characters. I handed the script to Bob (De Niro). He contacted me, expressing his interest in the Costello character, and asked who could play Genovese. Honestly, I couldn’t think of anyone better than De Niro because if he had suggested playing Genovese and asking about Costello, I would have said the same thing: “Play both.” After a brief pause, he agreed, saying, “Yeah, yeah, okay.

Robert De Niro is known for his exceptional acting skills throughout history, and often delivers remarkable performances in collaborations with Levinson, Winkler, or Pileggi. Therefore, when a chance arose to portray two distinct characters, it presented an excellent opportunity to showcase his versatility. By employing makeup, prosthetics, and skillful character development, De Niro effectively makes viewers forget they’re watching the same actor in both roles.

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2025-03-19 02:32