I agree with your points about Michael's evolution, dt.

I think some of us make the mistake of interpreting Michael's actions in GFI in the context of who he was by the end of GFII. Although you see glimpses of who he would become, he definitely changed over the years.

But I don't think Michael was "totally deluded" in thinking he could get his family back.

If you remember, Kay is confessing her eternal love for Michael in Sicily when the news of Don Tommasino's murder intervenes, leading Kay to mutter "it never ends."

If not for that bad timing, who knows what would have happened between them?

Even that may have been overcome eventually but, of course, Mary's murder but a permanent end to any potential reconciliation between Michael and Kay.

DT and Woltz, good analysis. Yes, Michael does evolve, especially throughout GFI. Woltz, you are right about the potential for reconciliation between he and Kay until Tommasino's murder. I also think that we fail to recognize that, being a Mafia don, the potential for Michael's death was around every corner. The strain must be monumental for such people.

I agree. Can't imagine having to wake up day after day not knowing who's turned on you, who's still your friend, who your enemies have aligned with, who's plotting against you, who you may need to plot against, and if you are going to make it through another day. Monumental pressure.

But.....this is the business that they have chosen.

And Michael didn't handle it as well as some, for instance his father and Roth. Michael was a pill popping wreck who ended up half dead of a diabetic stroke.