MovieChat Forums > The Godfather Part II (1974) Discussion > I have always gotten the impression that...

I have always gotten the impression that Michael was about to forgive Fredo until their conversation in the Lake House


Okay, folks - was thinking about this, curious to hear your opinions on it - -

I have always thought that Michael was going to forgive Fredo for the information he leaked regarding the attempted hit/attack at the compound. I believe that what really made Michael livid and unwilling to forgive him is the fact that Fredo was withholding information regarding the details of Roth's diabolical plan against Michael (especially the intel surrounding the Kefauver proceedings with the senate and how Senator Questadt was Roth's political hatchet man) - once he revealed this to Michael, this is what sent Michael into a livid state of mind and what had launched Fredo to that point of no return. I have always thought that if Fredo's involvement regarding the attempted hit was the extent of his treachery, Michael would have taken it that Fredo had gotten played and forgiven this and had moved on, yet his knowledge of the entire Roth plan is what did it.

Thoughts on this?

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Possibly yeah

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What could Fredo had done to help an assassination attempt? The president of the USA is not as well protected as Michael was in that compound. Did Fredo give them a childish map with an arrow telling the killers where Michael sleeps? It makes no damn sense. They had armed men everywhere and the killers could not escape.

Fredo was no damn use to Roth and Uncle June.

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I never thought of this until recently, when my YouTube feed started getting swamped with Godfather clips and analysis (and of course I had to see it ALL)

Personally, though, I think this Michael COULD have forgiven Fredo up to this point, but wasn't for sure planning to do so

Possibly the smartest thing Fredo ever did was NOT get in that car with Michael when fleeing Cuba

Also, looking back on it, it's not so much Fredo withholding congressional proceedings info that doomed him. I'd personally emphasize Fredo's attitude as the "culprit."

Fredo was only briefly apologetic and regretful. Then he went on that rant about, "it's not what I wanted!" He showed his true colors at that moment, demonstrating a level of bitterness and sense of entitlement that would always make him a threat to Michael and the family.

It helps, too, that the wife & I just finished binge-watching "Succession," a show driven by the competing notions of entitlement to the throne vs. worthiness to lead.

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How do you know Fredo had that information and was withholding it from Michael?

What was Fredo’s involvement with the attempted hit? He snuck in and opened the drapes..?

Also, what was the ‘plan’ as far as Fredo saw it? He says Ola wanted him to help nudge Michael into doing the deal with Roth, and in the script he mentions a ‘kidnapping’. Does he think if Michael is kidnapped that he’ll temporarily become Don?

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How was he any kind of threat? I don't think.Michael was even human at the end.

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Fredo was involved in a hit on his own brother, and the resentment he felt towards Michael was still strong. He couldn’t be trusted and would always be a liability, Michael had no choice but to rub him out.

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