Originally posted by Turnbull:
I think FFC and Puzo intended the scene as another dramatic device: to show Michael sad and tortured by what he did, but not repentant,
Ahhh, I don't know if I agree with that TB. Yes, it was FFC's intention to show us a sad and torutured Michael, but I also think that we are shown a guilt ridden Michael, one who was seeking forgiveness from God, but deep down could never forgive himself. And that, IMO, was the inner conflict.
He took many steps to try and redeem himslef, giving money to the church, setting up the foundation and eventually seeking absolution from the Cardinal. But deep down he knew that he was only fooling himself because he knew that he could never forgive himself no matter what he did.
I always felt that Michael was sincerely sorry.
Guilt ridden, sad and tortured, yes, but also sincerely sorry because of what he did to his brother. And because of the deep guilt that he felt, he could never forgive himself.
We see the guilt that is within his subconscience earlier in the movie when he goes into his diabetic fit and blurts out "FREDO!" We see it again when he is talking to Connie when she is giving him his insulin shot, and we see the confusion within him when he is talking to the body of Don Tommasino at his wake.
I must repsectuflly disagree with you on this one TB, Michael was sorry for what he did, however he could never find it within himslef to forgive himself.
Don Cardi
