While watching GFIII the other night I came upon the scene where Michael and Vincent are discussing Vincent's role as the leader of The Corleone family. Finally Michael tells Vincent
" Give up my daughter, it's the price that you pay for choosing this life." As I watched this scene I wondered to myself, did Micheal tell him to give up his daughter because of the life that Vincent would live, or did he tell him this because he (Michael) wanted to save the family from the shame of two cousins having relations?
Personally I think that it was a combination of both with the assurance that his daughter would not live the life that his mother and wife had lived being the main reason for this command. What are some of your thoughts?


Don Cardi

This is a scene that always got to me. The whole Vincent/Mary relationship was gross. I personally thought Michael meant the lifestyle was too dangerous, which is why Vincent had to give up Mary. I don't think he meant having cousins marry and having 2 headed babies was dangerous. Just one of many reasons why I could not get into this movie.

Michael just meant to protect Mary's life, IMO. With no succes, anyway

I think michael meant that either you lead my family into the new era or try to have my daughter "thats the price you pay" He couldn't have both.So he made his choice in the end.

Through there was no outward display that Mike disapproved because of thier blood relationship, I think it had to be both, but more that he didnt want he to be killed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Michale's drive, throughout the three films, is to make the family legitimate. By this point in Part III it has become obvious that, in so far as the " family " is concerned, he cannot achieve this. The Corleone " family " must remain mired in death, intimidation and voilence.

I believe that Michael shifts emphasis - if he cannot keep the " family " clean he can at least keep his own, personal family out of it.

He does not include Vincent in this family, nor does he want to since Vincent embraces the very life Michael rejects and possibly also because Vincent is an illegitimate off-shoot of his personal family. So, he wants Mary to have nothing to do with the Corleone " family " at all - she is titular and probably eventual real head of the legitimate business - and she cannot, will not, be involved in it through marriage to Vincent.

So, I believe it was your first theory that motivated Michael, Don Cardi - if he could not save the " family " he would at least save his family. Most intriguingly, this is the very reversal of the decision he makes at the end of Part II.

Warmest regards

dave

Dave, that is an oustanding observation! Very well put! Welcome to the boards!


Don Cardi

Gratze, Don Cardi

( I bet I spelled that wrong - apologies if I did )

Warmest regards

dave

When Michael is walking with his kids, he tells Mary that she cannot be associated with Vincent in "that fashion" and that Vincent is her first cousin. He is clearly concerned as any father would be about the sanguinary and moral implications of such a relationship. beyond that you can impute other concerns of him.

totally!
michael said to vencenzo:when they come,they'll come after what u love.
and that's mary,the only wealth of michael in the world.

I also think that Michael made that statement to Vincent with the memory in the back of his mind of how they came after him and wound up killing Appolonia, his true love!

Don Cardi

I think this is exactely the primal cause of that statement, Don Cardi.

PS. Teflon Don????

It's because he has bad credit. Everytime he goes to buy something with a credit card the person says:
"sorry sir, these charges won't stick"

You're telling me that if Don Cardi invites me to dinner I run the risk of paying the bill?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Beth E:
<strong> I personally thought Michael meant the lifestyle was too dangerous, which is why Vincent had to give up Mary. I don't think he meant having cousins marry and having 2 headed babies was dangerous.
That's what I thought.

Ask TIS and the crew how many bills I stuck them with when we were in Chicago!


Never Happen!


Don Cardi

John Gotti was nicknamed "The Teflon Don" because of several court cases where the charges brought against him by the governemet did not "stick."


Don Cardi

I never doubted it, DC! Now, what is the fanciest NYC restaurant???

Don't even try it, DC. You never offered to pay my Emergency Room bill.

Yeah, true, But I did try to send you flowers, but O'Banion's was closed down!


Don Cardi

They only become fancy when I walk in!


Seriously though, for Italian food I would have to say that Il Giglio's in downtown Manhatten is one of the best Italian restaurants for both food and service. A very close second would be Da' Noi's in Staten Island. For seafood and steaks I would go with The Old Homestead and Sparks. Both are tops in food and service!


Don Cardi

Ok, DC. Pick me at 8.00 p.m. Il Giglio's will do.

You're gonna wait at Jack Dempsey's?

I'm not gonna wait. He's gonna wait!

What happened? I was there at 8:00 sharp, waited 15 minutes, and you never showed up. So Al P. and I went in an had dinner without you!


Don Cardi

O, never mind..... Bob D.N. was very kind to me: he asked whom I was waiting for and when I told him it was DC he said: "Why are you waiting for a DC when you can have ME at dinner?"

We talked Italian a bit. It was a nice dinner. He was in a good mood. Unfortunately I have this stupid rule "never kiss a boy on the first date".

Not to worry Lavinia, I don't know who this Al P. is but Al Pacino was having dinner with me at that time!
I hope this made you feel better!

Oh by the way, I don't have that law of yours for not kissing on the first date. I just thought you should know. It is not a good idea.

much better, Afs. I KNEW I could count on you....

Gee, what's this " " for? It sure doesn't have a positive vibe!