It’s New Year’s Eve in 1958, Havana. Fidel Castro’s revolution may be lurking outside, but the atmosphere in the hall is thick with celebration. Amid this joyous chaos, two brothers embrace. It looks like a warm, familial moment.And that’s when the younger brother, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), with a forceful belligerence, kisses his older brother, Fredo (John Cazale), on the mouth. He says:“I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart.”Michael, by this point, ever since taking the reins from his father, has already crossed several points of no return. This is one of those moments. The moment when Michael’s family loyalty, which he holds in high regard, finally dies. The moment when Michael irrevocably loses his soul.The Background: Resentment and BetrayalThe scene in question is the product of years of insidious bitterness growing inside Fredo, coming together with Michael’s unstable sense of security.Fredo’s ResentmentThis sequel explores Fredo’s growing resentment. In the Corleone family, Fredo was always the black sheep. He was neither tough like Sonny nor smart like Michael. He was weak and insecure, and always passed over for someone or something better. Whether it was Vito, Sonny, Michael, or even Tom Hagen, he always lived in their shadows, never getting to make a mark of his own. It’s no wonder he grew spiteful towards everyone, especially Michael, his “younger” brother, who stole his rightful prerogative to lead the family business. This bitterness made him vulnerable—something that the rivals could exploit. And they did.Hyman...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Today