Lansky

Harvey Keitel takes a swing at portraying the "Mob's Accountant" and Keitel is as reliable as he's always been - but while this is a well-filmed and well-acted story, much of the material has been covered in superior movies.

Harvey Keitel, 82, is perfectly cast in the title role as Meyer Lansky... With his lizard's watchful gaze and age-stiffened body, it's an epic performance at the center of a modest true-crime drama.

For Keitel completists only.

Keitel infuses his performance here with more than enough lion-in-winter gravitas to dominate every moment he is on screen, and quite a few when he isn't.

Hits all the major bullet points in the gangster's life but ignores almost all the connective tissue that would make this outline of intriguing anecdotes really come alive.

The gangland clichés can be cringe-worthy at times, particularly when the film emphasizes Lansky's Jewish background.

Keitel and Magaro team up to give a captivating portrayal of Meyer Lansky that is firmly rooted in the real account.

Much of the violence features in a series of well-staged if perfunctory flashbacks, but Keitel's menacing portrayal suggests a man still capable of intimidation.

Lansky features a terrific performance from Keitel, making something recognisably human from a complex character who has been played once too often as a cartoon villain

Keitel has played many tough guys throughout his career, but it is hard to think of a role in which he has been better.