Michael Corleone talks to his mother

Michael Corleone talks to his mother

[@Beery1962]

The saddest scene in The Godfather movies, because Michael is trying to find out where he went wrong, but his mother is incapable of seeing how anyone could lose his humanity in the way Michael has. Her husband was legitimately strong - an all-rounder who was able to balance all the characteristics needed to keep the family and the business together. Michael's weakness is that he suppresses his humanity with everyone but his mother, confusing it for weakness, but without his humanity, he cannot love or be loved. His mom can't see this, because she has never experienced a lack of love from anyone in the family.

[@tommybrown187]

Good assessment. u can especially see it when he says times are changing, in regards to a loss of humanity.

[@leopoldoastudillo7189]

+Ian Cooper Michael Corleone's tragedy is that he had to become a MONSTER to stay alive and on top of the "business".

[@nathanhatter663]

Prometheus perfect explanation

[@azer93]

The saddest thing is that he was a good guy and became the devil to the save his family

[@stevemiller1345]

He and vito went wrong in the first movie when Michael became godfather. Right away you could see the differences between vito and michael. Clamenza wanted more men and mike said no which pisssed off Clamenza and made him want to leave the family. Mike cut out tom hagen here too. It was complete dysfunction and vito let it all happen. At the very least vito should have pulled mike aside after words and tell him that's not how you handle all that.

[@TheeStoicc]

Revisiting this wonderful scene again, I think it's bears mention that Michael comes in from the outside - a winter day, snow on the ground - to the room with his mother, a warm fire burning inside. She represents loving warmth whereas Michael represents frigid coldness. He doesn't want to but doesn't know how to stop or where he went wrong. Coppola loves background symbolism like this

[@jordanforever21]

Nice insight

[@Shave-ice]

It’s the winter, how else they suppose to get warm.

[@TheeStoicc]

@@Shave-ice of course but you have to think when it comes to film, and especially filmmakers like Coppola, that (nearly) every part of a scene is important and intentional. There would be a reason the preceding shot is of Michael coming in from outside where there's snow everywhere, as opposed to, for ex, entering from one room to another. There would be a reason the camera leaves room for the fire in between Michael and his mother. This is a pretty important scene, arguably pivotal to the entire series so it would be filmed in a way that best captures that (albeit subtly)

[@matthewalexanderlemma8000]

For me, "times are changing" is one of the more deeply-moving lines in the film.

[@sidharthsharma2637]

Times really are changing. it's so sad. but there's nothing that we can do about it. just do your work and move forward. Let the world get damaged.

[@dankestranch8738]

And then it transitions to Vito's past..so brilliant

[@shreyanshdas7481]

This scene is so deep

[@Argos-xb8ek]

​@shreyanshdas7481 Thats a highlighted theme in the movie times change

[@ahmetbey8346]

1:38 the sadness disapointment in michaels eyes when he realizes his mother doesnt understand him. He maybe just suddenly feelt lonely.

[@DonFelixGallardo]

1:26 too

[@Rafael-xt1nm]

She was right though, and Michael completely wrong. Killing Fredo was one of his biggest mistakes, and it cost him in many ways.

[@thelaw6267]

​@@Rafael-xt1nm Then Fredo shouldn't have betrayed him. This Thing Of Ours comes before blood relation in the mob life. If Michael had let him get away with it, he would lose all fear and respect of everyone else and they would be gunning for him. And know that Fredo is his weak link and take advantage of it again.

[@Nickfdz95]

Moments like this make The Godfather movies amazing.

[@gregwatson8219]

Scene too damn dark

[@darthstructure7370]

No matter how old you are, you will always be your mother's child. You will always need her advice. You will always want her shoulder to cry on when you are having a bad day.

[@davidcraig7771]

Times have changed.

[@headphonic8]

@Al Pacino FanForever His wife had extremely good reasons to divorce him lol. He's a fucking criminal who has killed multiple people, including his own family. I'd say her ability to leave him is for the best, especially for the kids.

[@AA-iv2mx]

5 years later as a young man who just watched this legendary movie. Times really are. It’s sad but necessary.. do what’s best for u and live life to the fullest. Don’t matter what anybody does or thinks. Just do u and love 💜

[@jefftennis3907]

This scene is also very important, because it's the only scene in the entire saga where we actually see Mother Corleone have dialogue, serious dialogue... she's been the instrumental soft side of Vito's empire, and it's the first time we hear her opinion.

[@erickp4005]

Seen the movie hundreds of times thru the years. As I read your comment I had to pause the video and really think about what u said. Thank you for this. Be well.

[@FIVE-0-APOCALYPTO]

@@erickp4005 thank you for what? Don't be a fool if you actually believe that. Mother Corleone.....yeah. This title is the system itself injecting this false notion, false distinction of woman hear me roar, the secret power and true impetus behind the juggernaut "empire". She is Mrs. Corleone, perhaps a national figure deserving of a official honorary distinction.....of someone who truly minded her own damn business and helped a man as a result. She didn't even know what the hell Michael was getting at. He had to re-explain. His own father said women and children can make mistakes, not men. Michael simply got a reminder from her. Michael was LOSING IT. Of course, he couldn't even get a damn straight answer from Tom......WAS IT A BOY? My god I felt bad for Michael, WTF? If anything, with everything riding on the line, a guy like Tom should be willing to turn suicide bomber for Michael. It's a chess game, the Tom on the board can easily be pawn sacrificed if it means winning the game or certainly a war of attrition where even the winner pays a heavy toll. You can never lose your family is a binary statement. Michael just needed to hear it rhetorically in his own mind. He had the answers, he just needed to be himself and relax and the answers will come..... because HE IS Michael, he was the true heir in the family line, Vito's true masterpiece. Times are changing. He fixed his senate snitch problem with some simple old school. You can't lose your family, is old school. It was between the brothers Kay, ....I had nothing to do with it. See? Michael is new school. It's X machina, a simple solution to a complex problem. Michael had been doing the opposite, out thinking his own damn self, while Roth is simply low level. Pantangelli: Michael, .....I don't have your kind of smarts, FOR BIG DEALS. It's not hard to figure out old school. It's a MAN thing. Michael is a CEO type, but a ex marine and understands the man thing. He's both and just needed a reminder. A man doesn't even ponder the thought of losing his family. See how he nodded when his mom said it?..... she was slightly bewildered, like what are you talking about son? He now got back on track, he didn't have his answer yet, but he had the right direction, the answer will come. Of course! Just bring the dudes older brother, what's the big deal, wouldn't you be concerned for your younger brother in such dire times? The look on the older brother's face. Michael sees it.....looks at Frank immediately and got his answer.....I got him. Obviously the older brother knew what Frank was SUPPOSEDLY about to do. This is now where, new school gets stupid. New school thinks the older brother is sad, embarrassed etc etc. No, nooooo, no no. His older brother CANNOT believe it. It's IMPOSSIBLE....there must be a mistake, right .....brother? Inside that older brother is their entire family bloodline, generations, it's beyond epic, the flames starting to engulf them all ...if what has been rumored is TRUE. It cannot be true. It can never be true. It's unthinkable. You can never lose your family. You see the older brother nodding his head after Michael said Frank testified "the truth".? It was as if his older brother said, oh, ok ....as in of course, I knew the rumor wasn't true. Thanks. And on the next soonest flight back to the old country. I'm 54, I been to the old country a few times as a kid. The respect level back then and beyond, goes beyond retarded. Like a army captain who lives in a given area. Everyone in that area for Miles, BETTER know who that person is and his name is SIR CAPT. so and so and even when he's not around....shhhh, he'll hear you, DO NOT disrespect so and so, he's a Captain, his reputation precedes him self, anything remotely disrespectful is a lie. But it goes beyond that, because it's a given, no matter what happens, not even in their own minds will they believe it unless official higher authority says so, not a fkn rich guy who got lucky with some stock options, like they do today and that's why the world is going to burn, times have changed. SO far, like anything else, they can beat old school sort of, but never have a true answer to beat it. You can't, it's voodoo of the mind. Belief of things normally impossible. Like the two Russian brothers on old school wrestling, swearing vengeance on some other Russian who is a good guy, foiling their plans and plots. "We will get you and when we do, we will punish you the OLD COUNTRY WAY". Someone like a Frank who understands, how ever arrogant or defiant, instantly goes OH MY GOD...... realization of something he forgot and now it's too late. A nightmare beyond imagination. Old school works.

[@jay-1800]

@@FIVE-0-APOCALYPTO bro you typed all that when all you needed to say was that she’s the perfect example of the “traditional Sicilian wife”.

[@FIVE-0-APOCALYPTO]

@@jay-1800 what the hell does that got to do with this? The original comment is along the lines of the mother being some sort of Wise Old sage, the female side of the Don equation, no different than godfather part 3 where, YES IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT, CONNY IS THE CHIEF HEAD OF THE MUSCLE END OF THE FAMILY. MICHAEL was under the make or break point all the way down to his own brother sinking the ship, Tom being of little value other than a CPA or a secretary, one of his captains willing to testify to a senate committee, a wife who aborted their son..... And here comes mom to save the day. Mom sitting by the fire waiting to die and as far as she knows of anything, everything is okie dokie. It was Michael's practicality and open mindedness that led him to talk to his mom for a few minutes, and not optimistic of anything meaningful resulting from it. The point I was making was that he never had to go talk to his mom. Everything that was happening all around him never happened to his father, and Michael naturally is operating under the guise of getting respect by default and that's when he realized that times have changed, but some things never change. Everything was riding on Michael's intuition that simply flying in Pantangeli's older brother, where now he may have shown a willingness to defy Michael, let's see if the same goes for his own immediate family and legacy. Guaranteed, the older brother in his mind knows the story and it's real that supposedly his younger brother is going to rat out the family. However, it's so embarrassing and unheard of, that I guarantee you the older brother has to see it happen before his very eyes and still might not believe it if it happens. I cannot relate to this mentality and you cannot relate to this mentality and just about anybody commenting here cannot relate to that type of thinking. Mother Corleone here, by accident just so happened to flip a switch in Michael's head and she has no idea of anything whatsoever before or during that moment. End of story. Your simple phrase answer is retarded.

[@jay-1800]

@@FIVE-0-APOCALYPTO dude I don’t care if you write an essay I’m not going through and wasting my time reading all that. There’s absolutely no reason to act like a facetious know it all. You literally aren’t proving any kind of points here

[@songspire]

Not even the warmth of Mama Corleone by the fire could warm Michael's cold snow filled heart. She misunderstands Michael's dilema. Michael has wiped out his enemies and in the process lost his family.

[@gregwatson8219]

GF3 xplains his fulfillment. and despair

[@songspire]

@@gregwatson8219 it tried atleast. Michael and Tom being at odds in GF3 for Michaels actions in GF2 would have made for a better exploration of Michaels despair. But atleast we got GF3 confession scene, and Michael stroke scene.

[@laminage]

She was such an amazing lady and a strong one. Losing her Husband and Son, never remarrying always wearing black in honor of his Memory. She had a stronger bond with Michael since she was so proud he went to College and no matter how busy he was he always made time for her and The Family.

[@DeepScreenAnalysis]

His mother lived her life seeing what she wanted to see and all that was meant her family.

[@Gzimkodra]

Yes a mother and son talk. This is the best coversation u could have ever have. Mother knows best

[@CVESVR707]

i love when he says times are changing then it blends to young Vito..wow what a scene

[@Karlebow571]

And we almost get to see Robert Deniro and Al Pacino in same scene

[@dannyhipolito817]

@@Karlebow571 key word being almost. They wouldn’t be in the same scene and in the same acting space alongside Joe Pesci until a decade later with The Irishman

[@wazid3738]

And also that music

[@DonFelixGallardo]

@@dannyhipolito817 you don’t say?

[@kingchrisa4188]

@@dannyhipolito817their first movie sharing a scene together was in Heat

[@ocasio6489]

This scene is so special, addressing your mother in your native language to ask questions about life is something that I have done numerous times.

[@DonFelixGallardo]

No way…

[@abbasjafiya21]

His Native Language is English. He only Learnt Sicilian when he lived there briefly in Exile

[@mrf9893]

@@abbasjafiya21 no

[@AnastasiaSaenz]

@@mrf9893 No, he spoke the Sicilian dialect when he was speaking with Solozzo in the restaraunt, before he fled to Sicily - but I suppose his fluency in Sicilian increased because of it.

[@DiMeo22221]

​@@abbasjafiya21 no you are wrong....God i hate when idiots like you made up shit like this He grew in old school italian Household, he learned it from his family

[@Nerd_Who_Lifts]

It’s 2020. Going through a tough phase in life, rewatched the movie and came back to this scene. This here encapsulates the problem. The difference in generations. Times have changed where the family standing by you is no longer a certainty. Maybe the strength of a wife that’s always with you is what made Vito so much stronger. That confidence and that backing is something Michael will unfortunately never have. Times have changed and like Michael we must also accept this melancholy, come to terms with it and still do what a man must do. 👊🏻

[@tiwaz4598]

You hit the nail on its head my friend. Individualism is spreading. Gone is family orientated society and culture, and with it almost any meaning or significance to a man's life.

[@jordanforever21]

Hang in there, I feel the same way in my own life.

[@parthakumar261]

Perfectly described Man...

[@noorie_noorie_]

Circumstances favored Vito and disfavored Michael is the way I see it. In Vito's time, strict gender roles and the make of immigrant society led him to create a happy marriage with Carmela. Michael always wanted to be an individual and marry one, but later found it was not conducive to the mafia life. The mafia structure was nascent in '20s, and the choice between poverty and "illicit" money-making probably looked quite straightforward to Vito. Michael (in his arrogance/ idealism?) thought he could steer it towards "legitimacy," but he could never achieve this in his lifetime. Michael's time brought a lot of ambiguity, every nuance of his actions tend to disfavor him in profound ways. While I clearly see how he drove his closed ones away (Fredo, Kay and Connie), I also pity him. Everyone revers Vito's memory, but no-one seems to be close to Michael at all.

[@stephaniestanley8041]

You my friend are wise. Your comments and this scene, brought me to tears.

[@bababuyiekaban7942]

“Times are changing”.., always so profound.

[@leopoldoastudillo7189]

This breaks my heart :'(

[@Colddeed]

I just love this movie. Everything about it.

[@joshuagerthoffer2321]

💯

[@eliw.7226]

That last line really hits hard. Families quit sticking together a long time ago.

[@amogh4319]

Yeah agree. I guess the problem starts when people indulged in individualism. That's when things go south with families

[@kentvesser9484]

@@amogh4319 Well if you look at ruling families going back into antiquity you regularly see sons killing fathers, brothers killing brothers, daughters killing fathers, mothers killing husbands, etc. Family bonds are largely a myth among the powerful when it comes to securing power or wealth. Perhaps in families where there is nothing at stake, you see more family loyalty, but it is ironic that the first murder in the Bible involves brothers and that there are so many tales of brothers betraying their own brother out of envy. It means this is nothing new. Families have been rife with betrayal for a long time.

[@mariahyohannes]

@@kentvesser9484Well said.

[@boundlessblade5205]

​@mariahyohannes he was right times did changed Look at we are at now, quite sad 😢

[@DoctorXander]

RIP Morgana King. Wonderful performance here

[@felipejl8182]

This escene really make me Cry, Is not a joke ;(..

[@5280PolotheKid]

Felipe Luna Mora Issa okay

[@andy_historia]

This scene is the explication on the final of the godfather 3

[@Poserjeff]

Isssa Nota funny

[@laminage]

I know right. Some Young Folks watched it for the First time and their jaws dropped. This Movie & Schindler's List was very emotional for them.

[@joshuagerthoffer2321]

Same tbh. He's so evil, gone, and cold at this point he can't even listen to his own innocent mother for advise. Heartbreaking indeed.

[@neelanshguptaa1440]

In my opinion this scene is the biggest insight we ever see into Michael's personality. Here's a man shrouded with power but at his core he's powerless; alone and weak, and this scene is the only time we see he knows that. Vito commanded the respect of everyone around him because he was just naturally likeable, people could rally behind him, find a reason to respect him and admire him when he acted for them because they could feel like they knew him. Michael doesn't have that. He's solitary and distant. He cannot open up to the people he's responsible for because he isn't someone who can open up or be likeable or command admiration, he may try to do his version of the best there is to protect his family but all the protection in the world can't earn you the genuine love of those around you when they feel distant and removed from you, and the more Michael tries to be powerful for his family, the more they feel removed from him because of his actions, the closer he gets to losing it all.

[@StygianWolf]

My personal assessment on this scene goes back to his first wife Appollonia, who would have been the traditional devoted Italian wife to him, that Mama Corleone was to Vito. Mama Corleone's mindset (as I suspect was that of Appollonia's as well) is that you stay devoted to your family no matter what. Kay was your modern (at that time at least) American White woman, who albeit devoted to Michael, did not seem to share the Sicilian notions of unwavering family devotion. She was quick to abort her unborn child, divorce Michael, and take their kids away because the going got tough. If Appollonia had lived, Michael would have had in her a wife that would have stayed devoted to him, and understood that all the evil he may have wrought was to keep his family strong and safe like his father did.

[@angelacarleton9575]

I said the same thing in another section. I truly believe if Apollonia was alive she would have been the same as the Mama Corleone's because of her mindset would have been to devote herself to the family not questioned it. Unfortunately, he decided to make it easy for himself and go back to Kate as if he can pick up from where they left. Big mistake - she probably changed since she hasn't been around him for more months or a year - could not get answers as for when she questioned him at the end. of the Godfather Part 1 when the door closed I don't think she believed him. She just accepted things as status quo but later would start to doubt again.

[@catboyzee]

Excellent assessment. I'm not Italian, but that's how I perceive this scene. Michael's mother could not understand the unique crucible in which her son was entrapped: He had no family to help escape the trappings of 'The Family'.

[@gorgeous6737]

Going got tough?!!! He promised her in 5 years "the family business" was going to be LEGIT, he lied among other million things. She stood until I dawned on him he wanted another boy because Anthony, even as a child, showed no inclinations to be part of that life in the future.

[@un-named6865]

behind every great man is a woman!

[@finnheisenheim8274]

Thats what michael lacked. An anchor to his humanity

[@073ali]

I believe this scene depicts the state of mind of Michael Corleone regarding Fredo. Michael has decided that Fredo must die but is lamented by his conscience.Deep in his heart he knows by doing so he is not only betraying his father but also the family that his father raised with his blood and protected till his last breath. He is trying to find some sort of philosophical consolation for the heinous crime he is about to commit.

[@Kileik]

I think it's just about his marriage with Kay. Michael's mother is old fashioned, divorce wasn't conceivable in his mother's time but "times are changing".

[@mockingbird806]

Exactly!!! He is asking for forgiveness before he kills him. That's why he asks about losing family and says times are changing. What a masterpiece!!

[@MrJellyton]

@@Kileik I believe it's both. Michael could no longer trust Fredo to not put his family in danger again. Fredo was careless. On the other hand, in acting to, in his mind, protect the family, Michael was also alienating and growing distant from it. The killings, the extinguishing of his enemies, in doing such things relentlessly, he became cold and cruel. He was losing his family in multiple ways. He is basically asking his mother if what he has been doing and is about to do is right, but his mother does not fully understand and perhaps could not fathom exactly what Michael was going through.

[@ThePrez49]

Michael should have listened to his Mama about not losing one's family. Fredo's execution was not necessary.

[@admin1728]

This achingly beautiful yet crushingly sad scene depicts a man desperately reaching out to try and connect with his family but as his "Times are changing" remark illustrates Michael is a man cut off not just from humanity but from time itself.

[@dynamicdave2647]

The thing about this scene is, mama corleone probably knows almost nothing about the gang stuff behind the scenes... she doesnt know about the fact they r suspecting fredo, etc... So in this scene, she thinks michael is sad bc of the baby, and then she is just confused that he is talking about losing family... to her. I think at this point she thinks he is talking about losing family through conflict. She is then saying that shouldnt ever happen. family is everything to her...so in a way, she is talking about forgiveness. So in a way, it was the final warning to michael... he would lose his soul after even having this discussion but killing fredo anyway. Does anyone else see this scene this way?

[@DA-ly3gk]

@@dynamicdave2647 yep I agree

[@noorie_noorie_]

Yes, well said!

[@DonFelixGallardo]

@@dynamicdave2647 wow you copy and pasted that comment a few times didn’t you…

[@davoz9773]

It hits me that Michael might've been referring to both Kate and Fredo. Maybe he knew his decisions would cost him his family

[@gerrymorales]

He could have let Fredo live and exile him somewhere far away...like Prince Harry.

[@Karlebow571]

@@gerrymorales and Kay?

[@ThomasAquinos]

I always think that Michael's question on losing family's member refers to Fredo. He has intention to kill him but wants to hear mama's thought on that

[@gregwatson8219]

Good point Fredo not only traitor. Kay sinned too

[@animelover3400]

Times are changing...

[@Roisinblacm]

Everything about godfather 1 & 2 are perfect right down to the score and how its used

[@Karlebow571]

What happened to part 3?

[@hh582]

@@Karlebow571 Part 3, whateva happened there

[@kiyavas1879]

@@Karlebow571 what part 3 there is no part 3

[@treasurehunteruk9718]

Except the non-English parts, that weren't translated so we couldn't follow what was happening. Silly. I have seen some with sub-titles,, but not all. It is pointless watching a film if you can't follow the plot and dialogue. Young Vito's parts were impossible to follow.

[@bhupeshgoyal5235]

A very beautiful scene indeed. Here Michael is talking about attachment. He asks his mother - 'when one is attached to something, wouldn't that thing prevent him from being his absolute best!?' In other words, if someone is unattached (and thus strong and determined in his decision making, not letting emotions stop him from taking the most logical decisions), isn't there a risk that by being so, the person may have to let go (of his family), thereby losing it. He asks 'what did daddy think deep down- was he attached to the family while taking his life decisions, or was he unattached from it!? Michael is saying- I just tried to take the best (/unattached) decisions for my family, but see mom how those decisions have led me to a point where my family is falling apart! So by staying strong (unattached), have I pushed my family away from myself? His mother fails to reach the depths of his questions.

[@mohamedkhalafallah6741]

I strongly agree with that!

[@kentvesser9484]

I think part of it is Michael is not really saying enough for her to realize what he is really getting at. His questions are to general. Part of it too may be that she never really interested herself in Vito's business the way Kay has always tried to pry into Michael's, so she couldn't even begin to fathom seeing her husband as some kind of monster because she never asked about the business or cared about it as long as Vito took good care of her and their children. Michael's mistake in many ways was marrying someone who would never accept what his business was rather than someone who didn't care what it was. The fact he had to convince his wife that he would take the family legit for her to agree to marry him, should have set off alarm bells in his head that if that didn't happen as promised there would be trouble down the road.

[@aquafinner1505]

@@kentvesser9484 actually in the books she was quite involved and open! she knew what was going on. “She often warned the wives of her sons, including Sandra (Sonny's wife) and Kay, about the truth of their actions” they mention that she prayed for vito corleone’s soul everyday because she knew very well what he is doing

[@zoranrubik2166]

Very powerful scene that foretells that sad irony of Michael's convictions. He tries to be strong for his family, keeping them in the dark about the family business, eliminating those he sees as a threat. In the end, he drives away his wife, his sister, his brother - having him killed - and ends up alone.

[@songspire]

Completely agree. I think this is over looked in the analysis of the film and the tragedy of Michael.

[@DonFelixGallardo]

“A great man is always alone”

[@Just2Julz]

I am currently going through these same sentiments Being strong and my family not understanding it And this misunderstanding creates growing separation

[@NamikazeNC]

this is on point. this scene is beyond beautiful and extremely relatable

[@bhupeshgoyal5235]

Same here buddy

[@simonjon9802]

Maybe what you think is strong is actually weak

[@kmars3]

Same

[@sandeepsinghconnected]

Only scene in the movie where Michael showed emotion .

[@jasonesapp]

sandeep singh he showed it with his sister more than once, his son, his wife, his brother. Did you watch the film?

[@benshapiro8058]

lol an emoticon.

[@notsansastark2541]

An emoticon? Might as well be an emoji 😆

[@scylla019]

:-(

[@hh582]

Internet was not around at that time

[@Superhellfighter]

“Times are changing” In our day and age, it's more relevant than ever - related to this topic, of course.

[@theproject568]

An emotional scene with, in my opinion, a lot of DARK foreshadowing. It almost leaves you dreading what’s ahead.

[@mistersalmon555]

Mom: You can never lose your family. Michael: Times are changing. Me: Damn.

[@powfoot4946]

I like how what mama corelone says has 2 meanings when she says you can never lose your family. In the literal sense and in the sense that once you become the don you cannot leave the life just by losing it

[@MrJellyton]

Interesting ideas.

[@plasticweapon]

nah.

[@DonFelixGallardo]

Losing what? That last bit makes no sense bro lol

[@johnbarth9494]

That scene shows that it is not easy being head of family to keep them all in balance. Michael wants to see where he must focus on more rather than losing it. His mother instructs him but she is not aware of all things happened so far.

[@Ascansio]

This scene gives me the shivers...

[@Colddeed]

Me too.

[@YourBuddyTom01]

The music in the background and the acting almost made me cry

[@Pouffly]

I also realized just right now how this scene was shot. Half of his face is unseen in the dark which means the lack of his humanity and the other side which is bright where all what he wants is love for his family, that he still got some humanity in him despite his tormented spirit.

[@jamescassaniti9694]

Always loved mama she was so sweet and beautiful and loyal

[@pufferfish5980]

this tears me up, only those who experienced it can truly feel michael.

[@beaf1]

A lot of interesting things being said in the comments about this scene. I remember I saw this scene when I was 15 -16 and it made a huge impression. I always saw it as the modern against the old. For her it was impossible to lose her family cus she came from a time and a place where it was sacred, but for Michael, and the modern American girl, Kate, whom he married it is very much an option. (Just do a separation).. Writing this I realize how conservative I must have been t the time, probably cus my own parents separated when I was really youg.

[@nikkosdinno312]

In all honesty, he never got over the killing of his true love, Appolonia, from the first movie. As much as he tried to love Kate he didn't truly love her. His humanity died that same day when Appolonia died. That is when he became truly ice cold. Appolonia was a woman he knew he couldn't lose a family being with her because she came from a traditional upbringing like his mother and Michael saw that. He did not want to accept the modern-day woman in Kate which is another reason he had disdain for her.

[@movsestimiryan3854]

I remember watching this movie around the same age, I was maybe.... 14 years-old. For me, this was one of the most gut-wrenching scenes in the entire trilogy. What was once unimaginable to people who grew up during more sane times (losing one's family) has now become exceedingly common for our generations. I remember watching this scene and having a black mood for a day or two afterwards. Because I was getting the very distinct feeling that as we "modernize" (in reality we are regressing), life becomes more sterile, hollow, profane and desolate. I remember that around 10 years-old, I began making more American friends and was shocked to discover how common divorce was. I remember being terrified by that possibility, the idea that one can just lose their family. What was perhaps more disturbing was how casual and accepting of this many people were and are.

[@lost_poet_]

Nikkos Dinno wow brilliant comment. And so accurate too. Kudos

[@omieg89]

beaf1 this is exactly how i took the scene as well.

[@jefriefultonii3666]

This was the most important scene in both movies. Michael knew he couldn’t be like his father.

[@kentvesser9484]

It's a bit like when Tom is talking to Frank and Frank is talking about how the Corleone family was like the Roman Empire. Times changed. The world his father lived in was a different one and his father's methods probably wouldn't work in the world Michael was living in. Even while Vito was still living the world started to change rapidly and he couldn't control it. He was right that drugs would bring unwanted scrutiny, but the lure of the money to be made was too much for others to pass up, so Vito failed to adjust to the times changing. Michael was trying to adjust, but it meant he had to be much more ruthless than his father would have been comfortable with. His father probably couldn't envision how far Michael would have to go to stay on top. If he had maybe he would have done some things differently and not condemned Michael to this life and instead tapped a captain to succeed him.

[@UMasther]

This is one of the greatest scenes that goes unnoticed .Michael was asking her mother about getting rid of his brother Fredo.

[@iyerzzzzz]

No

[@Patrickbatemanharvard]

1:26 criminally underrated acting from pacino. It felt so real

[@iyerzzzzz]

Brilliant al Pacino

[@773SleepyHollow]

Not to be that guy, but... Pacino's performances in TG I and TG II are almost universally regarded as some of the greatest acting work ever, so who is underrating it?

[@martapolo_]

I have seen many times The Godfather II, but it wasn’t until yesterday that I didn’t realize about the importance of this scene. I mean, Michael Corleone behaves during all time as a killing machine. And this is the only moment in the movie where you can appreciate a glimpse of humanity in his attitude. A bit of emotion: his pain of loosing his family. Somehow he realizes that there is something in his life that doesn’t work. It’s a pity because her mother’s advise and her point of view belongs to another age. She doesn't understand what is Michael refering to. A lost opportunity to him. 😓

[@pertamakedua3771]

The godfather III: Michael : "HE'S YOUR COUSIN!" Mary: "times are changing"

[@glenmichaelwong517]

sweet home alabama

[@DeepScreenAnalysis]

I can't reconcile this scene with the fact that Michael had one of his mother's sons killed.

[@Josh-g7d9t]

Gorgeous cinematography. The burning fire in the dark next to momma represents Vito

[@NamikazeNC]

Then we pan to his father in the past, in a different era when values where different..... this movie is perfection, best sequel of all time bar none

[@bbb462cid]

I appreciate how Micheal emotionlessly plods right past the trappings of being a child to go to his Mother for answers. He looks slightly ridiculous and uncomfortable as if he is bearing to be close to reminders of a happier time but that's all he can do: just bear it.

[@iyerzzzzz]

Al Pacino was robbed of an Oscar

[@xxczerxx]

1:35 There's something about the line "But you can never lose your family" and that timing of the music that is one of the most beautiful pieces of moviemaking ever put to film. My eyes well up every time that exact moment hits.

[@nepatriots77]

There are just so many scenes that I love about the godfather trilogy, including this one.

[@gregwatson8219]

She only know how to cook

[@gregwatson8219]

He needs Martha Stewart

[@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449]

Oh, how far we have come when bringing home a simple pear brought immeasurable joy to a young wife. And now, even with a millions in the bank, politicians in the pocket and power beyond measure....one is still a miserable, sad and lonely person. There is no wife, no second son and no redemption. Was it worth it, Michael?

[@gregwatson8219]

Good point!!

[@rum7335]

It happens in real life to.

[@variat3293]

Music is so amazing,beatiful in this movie.

[@andreschang9253]

I see this scene as Michael indirectly asking his mother for permission to kill Fredo or if it's acceptable to kill Fredo.

[@paulz4667]

It is

[@lindacosta3381]

The most touching part of the whole movie

[@ashlynwolff]

"But you can never loose your family" "Times are changing" Enough saying for tear breaking 😭

[@dancemaniac3868]

Vito was strong, but he was never heartless. Michael on the other hand killed his own brother.

[@Ettoredipugnar]

Times weren’t changing , he changed .

[@agostinafernandez272]

Please, if someone speaks or understands Italian, I would really love to read the quote "you can never lose you family " in Italian 🙏🏼

[@splash5974]

"Non puoi mai perdere la tua famiglia" This is the proper Italian translation for "You can never lose your family". In the movie you are getting a version of a Sicilian dialect, which im not even sure the actors said accurately being its not their mother tongue.

[@laminage]

This is so sad. When he spoke with his Father they knew that Michael had to take action for The Corleone Family could reclaim their power. However, Mama in her own way was saying "Don't take your Family for granted, Sonny is Gone, his Children are growing up without him, Fredo is divorced without any children, Connie has so many issues with your Children and as much as I love Tom, he's not Sicilian."

[@giovannigoduti7827]

Real life times HAVE changed

[@krimozaki9494]

the end of this scene when they show his father and the music , so intense

[@sidharthsharma2637]

💔

[@briantaulbee5744]

I think what adds to this scene is his struggle to talk to his mother. He's not a native Italian speaker. You can hear him fighting for the correct words and phrases to really make her understand him, and in that I think he fails.

[@slicecuts21]

Really is a sad scene. This was before she confessed it was an abortion and his mother died thinking it wasn't. Michael just got shit on throughout this film. Such a great contrast from Vito

[@jefftennis3907]

Also, in this scene, I think Michael is referencing Fredo moreso than Kay. This scene was after Fredo snapped on Michael. Michael always said Fredo was weaker and not as smart, therefore he always tried to protect him as referenced by Fredo's "send fredo to go do this, send fredo to go do that". He let Fredo do petty stuff as an underboss, to keep him busy and let him think he was important, instead of letting him handle more trusting matters (like he did with Tom). Contemplating killing Fredo.

[@sinfulkivisian20]

Jeffrey Albuna you are quite correct. Michael was also trying to see a path to either let Fredo live with his regrets and fears or just kill him and be hounded by the burden of killing a family member.

[@SN2903]

This scene was before the scene where Fredo snapped on Michael

[@pgutter6156]

My 2 favorite scenes are his last conversations with both his parents in 1 and 2

[@laminage]

Out of all of her Sons, I think she was the proudest of Michael. Sonny was a Hothead. Remember how Mama Corleone had to remind Sonny not to interfere at the Dinner Table with Carlo & Connie. She didn't think much of Fredo either. He didn't have to "avenge" his Father's Assasination attempt but he was able to step up when The Family needed him and that's why she was so proud of him.

[@jjrj8568]

she was also quite displeased with Connie too!

[@gorgeous6737]

I think Fredo was the son she babied the most, sickly child, almost died. So in her heart she knew he needed more from her and Vito. Being the middle has never being easy. Sonny the heir apparent, hot headed, womanizer, devoted to his parents and very, very protective of Connie. Golden child, Michael; came back a hero, went to college and became the Don. Fredo had no where to go, no way to win.

[@temogopilane1396]

Times are always changing. I love that talk between Vincent & Mary.. Mary: What about my father? Vincent: He's a great man your father. He's a hero. He saved the family. Michael did what he had to do.

[@charliebrown6590]

This never would’ve happened with Apollonia….His life is truly one big tragedy.

[@dc6461]

Apollonia was a manipulative goldigger who married him for money. Michael chased her in the middle of the mafia war, conned her into marrying him at the hight of the danger and killed her with the wedding. And than moved on as if she never existed. She was semiliteral, profoundly stupid imbecile who can't memorize seven days in a week in a roll. She had no decency integrity or scrupulous. She didn't cook or clean, she never served him breakfast. His children would have been bunch of Fredo level dumbass behaving like sociopaths while she went around shopping " I'm very happy with my wife and children. My son is 3 years old and already reading funny pages ".... words that would never come out of Michael's and had he been married to Apollonia.

[@dc6461]

Michael would never been in pain over Apollonia leaving. He didn't care about her.... he had physical act of love with her. And once he had her he was over it Now..... Kay leaving was a good ,right thing. She saved her son and gave us chance to see Michael after he lost her.... he got diabetes, aged over night, stopped smoking drinking killing, never took the ring of his finger or touched another woman for the rest of his life.

[@jolicska]

C​@@dc6461Kay is American wife who left him because she never accepted who he and his family was.

[@laminage]

You know what was so sad, his Family was being destroyed and he didn't even want to realize it. He comes Home, Kay isn't there to greet and welcome him, which was a contrast to the past where she at one point put her whole life on hold for him. He has to deal with Fredo betraying him in a monstrous fashion and the worst was yet to come.

[@michaelmejia8194]

Divorcement has increased stupidly in the last 37 years in the U.S. for various reasons... we live in a fucked up society and world! too much liberalism, ego and bullshit... Michael was a good guy, he really loved his wife and kids and wanted to save them but things unfortunately didn't work out for him... "Times are changing" times should change for good and not for bad.. God bless all of us in order to have a beautiful marriage and family.

[@allawy]

Michael Mejia Shut up and stop romanticizing a serial killer lol

[@rum7335]

Thank you!

[@jefftennis3907]

Back then, the household (especially in Italy) was male dominance and woman submissive... I mean, Michael had to ask permission to even see Appollonia, because the men were strict with their daughters. If Michael had stayed with Appolonia, he'd probably be just as powerful and influential as his father was, because his wife would be supportive in all of his decisions.

[@ken45y]

It is a shame she died though. I felt he never really loved Kay but went back to her to try to start a family and have an heir. I also feel that was a downfall too since Kay was always questioning things as with Appollinia understood how things were supposed to be.

[@mirandasummerset]

In the 3rd movie he was still in love with her...& when Kay tried to leave, he wasn't going to let her until she told him she got an abortion

[@A.D.0306]

Wow, this is the same conversation I had with my mother.

[@butchmagnus1699]

When Michael walks past, crows caw. He has officially become death

[@gofar5185]

thank you hani pasza.... for replaying the one scene in godfather.... that left a very lasting impression of consolation... in the darkest moment of a strong warrior, the words of a mother is strength in itself... like achilles being reminded by hhis mother of choose from only two... and be prepared to what he choose... leave the human world as a warrior ... or leave in old age with hiis family his nation... to michael coleone... his mother emphasized that his duty as a godfather is survival for the whole corleone... at the expense of personal family... fredo has to go...

[@stephaniestanley8041]

The lonely walk in the snow ❄️...

[@4nemtexas651]

She didn't understand that you could lose family because what Fredo did is a problem of new generation. This would never happen in the old days. Times are changing. Hell even Tom when to Jail to talk about to the old days. With the only man left alive that remembers.

[@ahmetbey8346]

ın the movie, this scene was after the scene which vito fired and come home with a pear. Vito has no many,no power,he only can bring home a pear but they are happy and they are kissing. Atmosphere is warm. Then we come back michaels life. When michael come home, atmosphere was cold and snowing. The toy car(which he made tom bought bc he has no time) was abandoned under snow. When he enter the house his wife doesnt realize him and keeps going stitching. (Or maybe she didnt care) they have all the power and money but they are not happy. Michael goes to his mom and questions what did he made wrong,where did he made wrong. He realises he is losing his family. Later on in the conversation his mom says "you can not lose your familiy." michaels answer is heartbreaking, "times are changing."

[@christiangrey5370]

You can learn something from this movie, this women and from the Michael Corleone also!

[@gonzaloNMF]

This is how I feel nowadays.

[@rum7335]

All the best!!!

[@gonzaloNMF]

@@rum7335 Grazie fratello

[@miurasrpnt_v2]

I don't have a baby or what, but I feel so concerned by this scene.

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

“You can never lose your family.” “Hold my beer….”

[@MiggyStyx]

Mama: you can never lose your family, Michael. Michael: Bet lol

[@skipdecatur]

Thank you for posting this. I always thought this scene should have garnered more attention in The Godfather II postings. Decades ago someone once said to me after watching the movie that Michael's problem here was because he married outside his culture. Had Apollonia lived does anyone seriously think this conversation would have occurred?

[@niss2142]

And after watching the film for the 1000s time. I never realized that Coppola combined two scene of Mama interceding in the "family" issues. When Vito decided to help Carmela's friend and Michael thinking he might be losing control of the business. Both men, husband and now son find her wisdom helpful when making decisions for different problems.

[@normanosborn1277]

Reminds me of how sad my life has been 1:38

[@nasmatique]

This was probably the most important scene for me of the movie. If Michael's mother had a better intuition, she probably could've stopped Michael from closing himself to everyone in time in this critical moment of his life. Of course, I'm not blaming her since she doesn't involve herself in the family's mafia. But this choice, along with Michael's decisions in the end, makes this scene all the more tragic. And the background music intensifies the tragedy of this unfortunate moment. The last attempt of Michael to try to have someone reason him. And the beginning of the end.

[@lowsi3153]

Michael finds some solace with his mother, because she is an honorable woman from an honorable time. Michael no longer lives in those times.

[@valdo9737]

The tragedy of Michael Corleone. He is simply being strong and protective of the family the way he felt his father would. He is a victim of two things in particular though, firstly the times have changed and secondly he doesn't have the same support system that his father had. His wife and people around him don't understand the meaning of unflinching loyalty or the sacrosanctity of family. Michael sees this unfolding and he runs to his mother for advise but she isn't of much help. She herself is of the old generation. She is unable to understand that the world has changed, to the point where a man can lose is family

[@mohamedkhalafallah6741]

Strongly agree!

[@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449]

How can someone so rich and powerful be so sad? It is the ultimate irony.

[@kentvesser9484]

In some ways it is the typical Greek or Shakespearean tragedy.

[@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449]

@@kentvesser9484 Well said !

[@billbatson6165]

Behind every great fortune lies a great crime.

[@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449]

@@billbatson6165 Perhaps.

[@billbatson6165]

@@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449 But to answer your question, Michael was coerced by circumstance into the family business. He never wanted to gain power and privilege this way, which is why its an error in judgment that allows him to transition from a well-seeming young man to a ruthless and cold individual. All he ever wanted was his family to be safe, that was his promise to Vito and it was a spectacular failure.

[@finnheisenheim8274]

Despite what people say about michael being perfect as don, he really isn't. In the end he became a broken man who lost everything and died alone

[@guacaquio]

He had no choice. Would you've done anything different

[@andrespabon6132]

Tempi cambiano :(

[@knurdyob]

his mother says you can never lose family, but she's also someone who would never have an abortion just because what her husband did was illegal. I think if appolonia had not been killed, michael would've had a much better fate. On one hand he wouldn't have become as cold as he did and thus might not have been able to handle the business, but he definitly wouldn't have lost his family in the end. He didn't even seem to love kay and that might've been one of the biggest reasons why the whole thing failed, marrying her was a pragmatic decision, marrying appolonia wasn't

[@mohash7316]

he did love her at one point. During the wedding I think they loved each other but she was from a time when Michael was more innocent and he didnt want to be part of the family business

[@attiliofiordirosa2977]

I was hoping they would talk more Italian Tru out the movie .

[@47FloridaManDre]

R.I.P Carmella

[@rikjamesguitare]

R.I.P. everybody

[@ozbiljnoupozorenje5846]

Times are changing....yes, that's ugly truth nowdays.... crisis of family is crisis of whole society and when families deaspear, humans will disappear too.

[@treasurehunteruk9718]

This must be the cottage Michael offers to Connie to live in, when she asks him for money to marry her third husband. He says live in the cottage with your kids.

[@azeemashfaq6961]

One of the best scene im entire series