“The Alto Knights” is an excellent and unexpected film, and what’s most striking is how devoid of violence the ending is. This works well because it permits a very unusual resolution. Despite considerable discussion surrounding infamous New York mob figures Frank Costello and Vito Genovese during their youth, these formative years are largely absent from the screen. Ideally, the movie would have mirrored the approach found in Francis Ford Coppola’s masterful “The Godfather” (1972), its sequel (1974), or Sergio Leone's exceptional "Once Upon a Time in America" (1984)—all prime examples of this genre at its peak. It’s generally more rewarding to experience the characters’ development, as it offers significant insight and a deeper comprehension of those involved; this is especially true regarding the conflict and pervasive feeling of disloyalty between Frank and Vido. A sharper focus on these elements would have created a greater sense of importance. Doing so might also prevent the film from becoming just another derivative work influenced by Martin Scorsese’s outstanding “Goodfellas” (1990).

Source on TMDB