In one sentence or less, sum up the main strength and weakness of each of the characters below:

Michael
Strength: Can play his enemies like a violin.
Weakness: Too unforgiving and power-obsessed.

Tom
Strength: Loyalty.
Weakness: Irish (with regard to being an effective consigliere).

Sonny
Strength: Fearlessness.
Weakness: He has excess of his strength--which got him killed.

Fredo
Strength: He can run a casino.
Weakness: Easily manipulated--the total opposite of Michael.

Vito
Strength: Manipulative power.
Weakness: Underestimates the enemy.

Feel free to add other characters.

Mick

Hyman Roth
Strength: Manipulative, Smart, Cunning.
Weakness: Underestimating, revengful (Moe Greene)

Actually Cosa Nostra, with Sonny it wasn't his strength, i think it was his anger that did him in.

Clemenza
Strengths: Thorough, doesn't get carried away
Weakness: His size

Tessio
Strengths: Smarter of the Caporegimes
Weaknesses: Too greedy

Vince
S- learns quickly
W- Hotheaded / Cuban

Vito (Weakness) (From the novel):

"I have a sentimental weakness for my children and I have spoiled them."

(After Sonny's out-of-line comment to Sollozzo about the "Tattaglis guaranteeing their investment")

Maybe this is just from a female's point of view, but what about Connie?

In GF she was weak, whimpering, dependent, a punching bag for Carlo.

By GFIII she conquered all those weaknesses becoming independent, strong and somewhat controlling, making her, I think, the only character in GF to "change" to such an extreme no?? (with the exception of Michael who changed from nice college boy, to cold blooded killer)

TIS

great point TIS, on the Connie thing.

Vito's strength: compassion, life's early tragedy (shaped and i think made a big impact)

Tom's weakness: lack of stength

Fredo's strength: sensitivity, loving nature

Fredo's weakness: insecurity, low self esteem

Yes, TIS, good point. Also, what about Kay? The loving, silent wife of Michael--who, as you said, changed the most throughout the film. Because of her husband changing from college boy to murderer, Kay also had to change, and in the end she perhaps caused Michael the most unhappiness. In a way, she was Michael's biggest enemy (except for himself).

So, Connie's strength: She knows when to go with the flow and when not to (she was tright in trying to stop Sonny going after Carlo, and also made the right move in returning to the family in Part II.

Her weakness: Vouches too much for others--pleading with others for Carlo, and then later for Vincent.

Kay:
Strength: Is the silent puppeteer of her children's futures.
Weakness: Overestimates her power over Michael during Part II.

Mick

Phillip Tattaglia: [strength] Knew how to have a good time
[weakness] bad table manners i.e. combing his hair at the meeting

Barazini: [strenght] Nice car and snappy dresser
[weakness] pissing off Mike

Moe Green Weakness: Should've let Michael buy him out

Woltz: Strength:Runs a studio
Weakness: should've gave Johnny the part with out getting Vito involved

Tessio:

[strength] Knows the good restaurants.
[weakness] Can't hang his hat in Brooklyn.

Johnny Fontaine:

[strength] Good singer and got friends jobs in Las Vegas.

[weakness] Not welcomed at Frank Sinatra's house for dinner.

Sollozzo
Strength: Good with the knife, but only in matters where he has a reasonable grievance.

Weakness: Hired REAL crappy hit men.

McClusky
Strength: Mean right hook.
Weakness: Liked his veal too much

Enzio the Baker:

[strength] good friend and knows how to pickout nice flowers.

[weakness] squeaky shoes.

</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 The Italian Stallionette:
<strong> Maybe this is just from a female's point of view, but what about Connie?

Woltz also had a weakness for underage girls. This was demonstrated more in the delete scenes of the DVD. I don't recall if it's mentioned in the novel.

Yeah the novel talks about it a little, but I dont think that it was really needed in the movie.

I definetely agree with TIS about Connie. She really became independent, and was a very strong woman.

I think mine are better...

Sonny

Strength: His convictions
Weakness: His temper

Fredo

Strength: Natural entertainer and talent for working a room
Weakness: Jealousy

Vincent

Strength: Street smarts
Weakness: He gets blinded by his desires

Kay strength: can make anyone feel bad for her

Weakness: doesnt get wat is going on (when michael is explaining about the band leader)