Don Pope, this idea of the a man having a destiny that he cannot do anything to avoid comes from Buddism, I think, and it's called Karma.
The GF trology deals with religion, but it's not buddhism, it's Christianity, more specifically Catholism.
And the catholic religion is very clear: if someone slaps you on the cheek, present him the other cheek. Although you can justify the murders of Barzini and McCluskey with the fifth commendement: Honour thy father and mother, there is no way to justify the murders of the heads of the five family, his brother, his brother-in-law, Roth, Hola, etc... as they were all done for either, revenge or money.
This is where GFIII becomes very important. GFIII is about a man trying to come clean with the law .... but more important, with god! But what god will forgive someone with Micheal Corleone ? Well the Holy Bible says that no matter what you did, if you are truly repentant, Christ will forgive you:
==========================================
MICHAEL
Trouble with diabetes. Blood sugar levels must be low.
<The priest returns promptly with orange juice and candy.>
CARDINAL LAMBERTO
I understand.
<Michael drinks the juice and eats some candy. It helps him.>
MICHAEL
When I'm under stress sometimes this happens.
CARDINAL LAMBERTO
I understand.
MICHAEL
I come to you, on such a delicate matter -- accusations against your Archbishop -- was difficult for me.
CARDINAL LAMBERTO
The mind suffers and the body, cries out.
MICHAEL
That's true.
CARDINAL LAMBERTO
Would you like, to make your confession?
MICHAEL (laughs)
Your Eminence, I’m uh – I’m uh -- it's been so long, I wouldn't – wouldn’t – wouldn’t know where to uh, it's been thirty years, I'd – I’d – I’d use up too much of your time, I think.
CARDINAL LAMBERTO
I always have time to save souls.
MICHAEL
Well, I'm -- I'm beyond redemption.
<Don Tommasino and a priest wheeling him approach>
CARDINAL LAMBERTO (to the priest looking after Don Tommasino, in Italian)
"Give us a couple of minutes alone please – thanks…"
<The priest leaves with Don Tommasino. Cardinal Lamberto leads Michael to a corner of the courtyard.>
CARDINAL LAMBERTO
I hear the confessions of my young priests here. Sometimes the desire to confess is overwhelming. And we must seize the moment.
MICHAEL
What is the point of confessing, if I don't repent?
CARDINAL LAMBERTO
I hear you are a practical man. What have you got to lose? Huh?
(then, after a long pause)
Go on.
MICHAEL
I uh, I betrayed my wife.
CARDINAL LAMBERTO
Go on, my son.
MICHAEL
I betrayed myself.
(then)
I killed men.
(then)
And I ordered men to be killed.
CARDINAL LAMBERTO
Go on, my son, go on.
MICHAEL
Nah, it's useless.
CARDINAL LAMBERTO
Go on, my son.
MICHAEL
I killed -- I ordered the death of my brother. He injured me. I killed my mother’s son. I killed my father's son.
<He breaks down in tears.>
CARDINAL LAMBERTO
Your sins are terrible, and it is just that you suffer. Your life, could be redeemed, but I know that you don't believe that. You will not change.
<He prays in Latin, absolving Michael.>
=================================
The message here is that if Michael is truly repentant, he will be forgiven, no mather how terrible his sins are. But is he ?
Not long after that, he makes peace with Kay and it is hinted that they might be back together in a not so distant future. At this point, Micheal has everything he ever wanted, It really looks like god has forgived him. And what does Michael do when Tommasino is murdered ? All he has to do to stop the Bloodshed is to get out Luccesi's way, even if it means forgetting the 200 millions he already invested (this money was gained with things like prostitution and gambling, all sins in the eyes of god). That would be the way to redeem himself:
====================================
MICHAEL
Goodbye my old friend. You could have lived a little longer, I could be closer to my dream.
(then)
You were so loved, Don Tommasino. Why was I so feared, and you so loved? What was it? I was no less honorable. I wanted to do good.
(then, as Michael cries)
What betrayed me? My mind? My heart? Why do I condemn myself so?
(then, in prayer)
I swear, on the lives of my children: Give me a chance to redeem myself, and I will sin, no more.
=============================================
Instead, with Vincent, he orders the death of 5 persons. All that after god forgave him a life of crimes, including murders of members of his family.
This is the difference between Buddhism and Chritianity. In the first, your destiny is set whatever you do, in the second you have free will at each step.
When I first saw the movie, I saw it as a divine intervention when Mosca only superficially injures Mike on the first shot and kills Mary with the second. It is said during the movie that Mosca never miss. How come he missed this time ?
I think that god, in his fury, does not want Michael dead. He wants him alive and suffering. 17 years of self-condamnation....
