The legendary actor’s first attempt at a dual role is all gimmick, no substance in director Barry Levinson’s true-life gangster saga written by "Goodfellas" author Nicholas Pileggi.

The actor plays gangsters Frank Costello and Vito Genovese in director Barry Levinson’s derivative gangster drama.

Not only is that true of Barry Levinson's "The Alto Knights," but this tired-as-hell mafia story - which wouldn't merit so much as a footnote in the history of mob cinema if not for the gimmick of casting Robert De Niro as real-life crime boss Vito Genovese and his best frenemy Frank Costello - seems totally at peace with it.