MovieChat Forums > The Godfather Part II (1974) Discussion > Fredo had it coming for this reason

Fredo had it coming for this reason

posted 7 years ago by gzillah
20 replies | jump to latest

Not because he betrayed Michael. Whether he did it intentionally or not, I don't think that's what got him killed. I believe it was the lack of remorse he showed Michael in the boat house. And worse yet, the jealousy he showed. I think Michael truly wanted to forgive Fredo. He just wanted to find out why Fredo did and what all happened. Remember each time Michael tries to reach out to him? "Fredo, come with me, you're still my brother." Then to Tom: "Where's my brother? Get in touch with him, tell him everything is all right. I know he's scared." And then Michael actually goes to the extent of wanting to hear Fredo'a explanation. And what does Fredo do? He makes it all about himself. "There was something in it for me, on my own... I was stepped over..." Man, seriously? That's what did it. All Fredo had to do was express remorse and guilt and open up to Michael in a deep, sincere apology. And then maybe his life would have been secure. I'm not even sure I blame Michael for what he did... Okay, maybe I do. A little. Fredo was dumb and maybe not capable of understanding the fact that he should have proved he was terribly sorry. But then again, maybe he wasn't sorry. Maybe Fredo DID want Michael dead because he got stepped over so much. But still, Fredo could have had a longer life if he hadn't been so damn selfish and jealous. For years I've watched this film feeling sorry for Fredo, but I've been taking a different path lately. Michael really wanted to help his brother feel safe and protected. But Fredo ruined that.

[–] Sparky48 7 years ago

I totally disagree.

Fredo didn't betray the Corleone family out of selfishness and jealousy. He did so, because--as he said himself--he wanted something "on my own."

It had to be demoralizing being in a subordinate position to your kid brother and have to depend on him for survival. Add to that, he had no respect from anyone--his wife ("You're not a real man"), other Family members or even Michael himself ("Fredo ... he's weak and he's stupid").

By working with Roth and getting something "on my own" was just Fredo's way of trying to attain the respect he wanted from everyone, and Michael should have taken that into consideration.

[–] chase540 7 years ago

By working with Roth and getting something "on my own" was just Fredo's way of trying to attain the respect he wanted from everyone, and Michael should have taken that into consideration.

I feel Michael DID take this into consideration and this is why he was killed. Fredo proved he wanted his honor and recognition so much that whatever intelligence he carried was overshadowed by this desire.

Frankly, his connection to Roth in this scenario proved how much of a liability Fredo could be.

"One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know." - Spaulding

[–] JCrusher723 7 years ago

I don't agree at all with the OP. Lack of remorse? First of all you can tell if you watched the film that when Mike disowns him in the boathouse Fredo id devastated. Jealous or not Fredo loved mike and loved Kay and the kids. Even at the funeral for their mother Fredo just wants to be with Mike. Secondly Mike wasn't trying to protect his brother in Cuba....he was probably gonna kill him there. Thirdly Fredo DID NOT want Mike dead and that was pretty clear. He didn't even want to be the boss he just wanted to have a little respect in the family. Yes he was dumb but he wasn't ruthless like Mike

[–] gzillah 7 years ago

I agree with both comments, maybe I'm overthinking it and I'm wrong. I just feel as if Fredo should have begged for Michael's forgiveness instead of making it about himself getting respect. Maybe Michael still would have murdered him, but Fredo was way out of line in his confession in the boat house. After he says "I didn't know it was gonna be a hit," he should have continued with that way of thinking. As opposed to "They said there was something in it for me." That showed Michael that Fredo only cared about himself.

[–] Herreken 7 years ago

I don't think Fredo would've survived either way. In the first movie Michael tells Fredo to never take sides against the family again. There is no "good" reason for Michael to go against the family. Case in point: Pentangali.

DISPLAY thy breasts, my Julia!

[–] rgibson-20 7 years ago

Still, Fredo was smart - not like everybody says, like dumb.

[–] Ahiru777 7 years ago

Heheheh 😀

[–] OptimumTaurus 7 years ago

I agree. It was not the initial betrayal that sealed Fredo's fate, but the way he revealed how unbelievably resentful and angry he was at having been "stepped over".

You can't keep people like that around, brother or not. Fredo would have, intentionally or not, kept undermining Michael.

Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgment. -Michael Corleone

[–] Pinkdaisy678 7 years ago

Fredo was a POS from the beginning. I hate his character. The way he 'chose sides' against the family, his stupidity, the way he ran his mouth. I would have him taken out as well but much earlier.

[–] OptimumTaurus 7 years ago

Fredo had a really troubling habit of seeing things from the perspective of Corleone Family rivals.

Whether or not he intended to, he would have continued undermining Michael.

Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgment. -Michael Corleone

[–] marktayloruk (2378) 2 years ago

Sides? He was trying to.mediate between.Mike and Moe.

[–] Pimp_Daddy_Ackbar 7 years ago

Nah Michael was an entitled little b**tch who was handed an empire. Sure he grew it in power/financially but at what cost. In the end he is the biggest loser

His brother is dead. Tom hates him. Kay leaves him and then in the 3rd his daughter is killed

He dies alone miserable in a wheelchair. He preserved the "family" but at what cost. His is the ultimate failure

Fredo was harmless. He didnt have it "coming" at all. It was actually pretty easy for Michael to placate Fredo but he was too selfish, obsessed and paranoid he couldn't even do as simple thing like that

Fredo just needed some reassurance. Remember at the cafe how happy Fredo was with that simple talk. Every family has that weak member who might not have as much confidence as the others. You dont go isolate or kill them off lol

Don Vito...the TRUE DON who built the empire from scratch wouldn't have done that.

One of the traits of effective managers/CEOS is to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of vital members in the corp and assign duties accordingly. AN organization that runs on fear never lasts. Fredo wasn't a complete idiot. Have you read the book? The Corleone family controlled a vast empire from gambling to liquor. Michael coudlnt find one thing for his brother to do???

[–] daveyh (581) 2 years ago

sure - they sent Fredo off to run some mickey mouse casino or pick up somebody from the airport

[–] kennellygerard 7 years ago

deep down vito sonny and michael were all bullies

they got what they deserved

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 2 years ago

A lot of people forget or overlook or just don't realize that it had to be Fredo that opened the curtains in Michael and Kay's bedroom. Giving the hitman visual access to the bedroom. Now I've never read the book, so I don't know if any of this was ever addressed. Anyone know?

[–] HelpMeRhonda (1155) 2 years ago

I’ve read the book and I don’t remember that part being in the book.

[–] daveyh (581) 2 years ago

it wouldn't be in the book because, apart from the Young Vito parts, this is a whole new story.
That's the problem - that part of the movie is so unclear that we don't know exactly what Fredo did - did he open the drapes? Did he just give Roth information on the layout of the Lake Tahoe compound? Did he let Roth's goons in? I'm guessing he didn't kill the assassins after that ("if what I think has happened....they're already dead"). Without knowing that, it's hard to know Fredos intentions and motives