For people who say Mike doesn’t love or trust Tom- look into this scene: he was just almost assassinated (still not sure by who) and not only does he turn over his empire to Tom but also entrusts the lives of his wife and two children to Tom. If that isn’t the mark of trust I don’t know what is.
People only have value to Michael as long as he can use them to further his personal goals. Michael is lying just as he lies to everyone else. He didn’t keep things secret from Tom because he loves him. He kept things secret from Tom because he needed a clean lawyer. Look towards the end of the movie when he is happy to send Tom away forever if Tom is not “with him.” Flattering people to win their loyalty is the Corleone M.O. In the films, Luca Brasi illustrates this. Don Vito calls Brasi his “most valued friend” to his face but despises him in private. In the book Al Neri’s back story demonstrates this even better. Getting a former cop into the family was the plan from the beginning, and Neri was hand picked and groomed - with flattery - into a Corleone button man. Roth was weeks from death, but Michael still sent Rocco on a suicide mission to kill him, because ego. No one is above being used by Michael. When Michael compliments you, he’s manipulating you. He is manipulating Tom here.
I dunno. While I think Michael did love Tom in his own way, this feels like another example of Michael's ability to manipulate people. Whether it was the theatrical outburst when he visits Pantangeli in New York, meant to test Pantangeli's loyalty, his cynical manipulation of Kay when he returns from Sicily to convince her to marry him, or even his harsh testing of Tom at the end of part 2, he always seems to be using demonstrations of emotion as a means of manipulation.
@@mightymartianca why are you lying? What was cynical about Michael and Kay after he returned from Sicily? What is the matter with you? Michael conned Apollonia into marrying him at the hight of the danger so he can satisfy his thunderbolt. And he killed her, than moved on as if she never existed. He brought Kay back into his life more than a year after he came back, precisely bc loved her and cared for her. After he made sure it was safe for her. Goldigger died he told Kay he loved her and cared for her. Kay left he got diabetes aged over night, stopped smoking drinking killing, never took the ring of his finger or touched another woman for the rest of his life.
This is where I learned something interesting . Thomas was the acting Don of the family. Michael knew he had to keep this going for some time on the surface. Just like in starwars
As an Italian American myself we are not a race of people we're just white Europeans just like any other people from Europe lol but Tom is an Italian because he was adopted by veto Italians not a race so Tom can be the godfather because he's veto's son he is Italian because he got adopted just like Dotty's wife was Jewish in real life so his son was half Jewish again not a race but he was still allowed to be the boss
But Tom is Italian he got adopted by Vito that makes him Italian's not a race they're just white Europeans I'm an Italian believe me I'm white lol Tom's in Italian when he becomes part of Vito's family
Always kinda felt for Tom. The man who took him in and became like a father died, the man he looked up to like a brother was killed, the family dynamic changed quickly and drastically and what remained was a callous individual who alienated Tom on a regular basis. His conversation with Frank Petangelli showed his lamenting for what the Corleone family used to be.
@@brandonmedina494 Yup. The FINAL movie of the series. Final.(Lol, theres a few movies I think end good on their second film and don't need a third(Dark Knight, Godfather part II).
@@brandonmedina494 which is funny because Michael did turn it into more of an empire. His earnings made what Vito brought in look like small peanuts, mike took all the business from the five families and controlled Vegas as well. But his “empire” was only greater in finance, Vito had the respect and power and nobility that Michael couldnt achieve
The look on Tom’s face when Michael made him acting don, says a lot. And I wonder if that made Fredo even more pissed, him getting stepped over not once but twice
Yes, but Fredo could never do it. Michael knew that, Tom knew that, and Fredo did too, and I think it crushed Fredo the most because it made him feel insignificant to the family.
Fredo proved over and over that he should never be handed anything of importance. Granted someone like Fredo shouldn’t have been given the important job of guarding the Don, but it was to the point the gunmen knew Fredo was such a non-threat they just left him to weep over his wounded father. They wouldn’t even need to kidnap or torture Fredo, just get him drunk and subtlety point the conversation towards whatever the enemies of the Corleones wanted to know.
I don't think it pissed him off more than Michael being the head of the family being younger than him. Tom is older an he's got experience in the business, being around with Vito for years, it's not a bad decision at all. He might seem like he doesn't have the temper to be the Don but he even let a young woman die just to get Senator Geary on their side. Tom has the experience and intelligence to run the family business at least temporarily. Fredo is a good person but he could be outsmarted and fooled easily while Tom doesn't. That's why I think that decision didn't make Fredo angry (although I also thought that he might be). In addition to Fredo being the traitor in the family, he knew he wasn't meant to be the Don in that moment in particular.
Tho not blood they were brothers and Tom was the only person Michael could really trust, he didn't leave Kay and his children in the care of Fredo for good reason, he knew Tom would protect them at all costs
This writing for Godfather Part 1 & 2 is unmatched this was a serious chess move think about yall!!! You keep the one person you trust out the shady business because one day down the line something is going to happened and you have the ace in the whole ally. by your side because you know he don’t know nothin and can’t harm what he’s not apart of GENIUS
@@JTorres34 Don't ignore any possibilities, don't ignore any theories, people are crafty, people are devious, people are smart, people are cruel....and on that basis: "Anything is possible."
Michael speaks from the heart for the first time. He tells Tom the truth of how much compassion he has For Tom. Taking out Tom from family business is out of the question. Tom kept Michael in check with his emotions. Michael did the same for Tom. Tom was always admired trusted & respected. Vito saw this as did others. This reasoning was the perspective Vito always wanted & needed. That’s why Michael says “ I trust these people with my life senator” !
Honestly, the only times I think Michael was demonstrating true or at least unfiltered emotions in part 2 is when he reveals to Fredo that he knows Fredo was the traitor, and when he flies into a rage when Kay reveals she had an abortion and was leaving him. The rest of the time he uses emotion as a means of manipulating people. He had Vito's intelligence and insight, but none of Vito's heart. Even his first scene in part 1 where he's revealing the nature of his family to Kay, it's halfway between a bit of bragging to impress his girlfriend, and to mark him as different than his family.
@@mightymartianca Why are you lying? Wtf are you talking about? Most beautiful moment of entire trilogy is Michael and Kay on a dance floor. He is apologizing her for the people that are there. Kay :" It makes me wonder what you ones said to me. Corleone family will be legitimate in 5 years ago, that was seven years ago ". At that moment in a scene, in a script Coppola writes a sentence ---- Michael doesn't know what to answer her, just that he loves her and values her---- In a movie he he says " I know honey, I'm trying "....than he kisses her on the hand and her cheek. He was serious about legitimizing business. Throughout entire trilogy he is trying to legitimize it. He went to Cuba to kill Roth after the attack on the house but he also wanted that deal to happen bc it's the only path out of the gambling business and into the legitimacy.
Yes, he trusted them with his life, not bc they were " in charge of his emotions " ... But bc Al Neri protected him with physically and Hagen legally. Michael after Apollonia died " Pop, what about Sonny, what about Sicily. If we don't respond isn't family gonna be weak "... Not even mentioning her, not even saying her name let alone addressing her as his wife. Literally, just worried about status of his family. What about Sicily? Well, Barzini tried to kill him but he got away . Michael after house got attacked. Kay didn't die but almost " Did you hear what happened in my home, in my home in my bedroom where my wife sleep and where my children come to play with their toys. In my home. I want you to help me get revenge " At that moment in a scene, in a script Coppola writes a sentence --- Frank P has never seen Michael that angry----
@@mightymartianca She died he came home and told Kay he loved her and cared about her. Kay left he got diabetes, aged over night, stopped smoking, drinking, killing, never took the ring of his finger or touched another woman for the rest of his life .
The subtleties and nuances in the acting here. And all spoken at a hush, both men’s eyes-particularly Michael’s-radiating with inner life. How does one even begin to pick a favorite scene? Smh…..
Love how much context this scene puts into the earlier scene in part 1 when Michael leaves Tom out of everything except family lawyer. He said then it was no reflection on Tom but he had become so hard by that point it was hard not to think it was with what little we knew. Vito knew the true reasons as well hence why he tried to assure Tom that it had nothing to do with what happened while he was counsel to Sonny and what happened to him. But it would have been hard for Tom not to feel that way. Turns out Michael was telling the truth. It wasn't a reflection on Tom's inability but a reflection on his ability and the respect and admiration Michael held toward him. He knew one day he'd need that one brother to count on through thick and thin and heart and logic are not the same thing, so he set it up so that there would be by design zero reason Tom could ever logically not be trusted.
I often wonder if Michael really ever trusted or loved Tom, or was just saying nice things to him here to see how he'd react, to see if Tom was behind the attempt on his life.
I wonder that too until I watch TGF 1&2, but I actually think he does love/ trust him . Not only does he give him his empire but also asks him to look after Kay & their kids
@@NiqNiq exactly, i saw another comment saying that at this moment, not knowing who to trust, tom is the one michael goes to for protection of his family, that is as strong a mark of trust as anything else
He did. He set things up this way as far back as the first movie for a situation such as just this, so he could have Tom to rely on with no logical suspicions. He already knew that Tom having anything to do with this was an impossibility by virtue of Tom purposely just not knowing enough.
Tom always had acceptance from all of the Corleone’s, but clearly he wanted Michael’s acceptance the most. It damn near put him tears to finally hear words of validation from the one sibling he respects the most. This stands in contrast to the flashback scene at the end of the film, when Michael tells the family he joined the Marines. Tom informs Michael that he and Don Corleone have had discussions on Michael’s future, to which the latter stingingly replies, “You spoke to MY father about MY future?”, he meant it as a subtle and cruel reminded to Tom that he’s not blood.
I don’t know if I agree with that. If Mikey really felt that way why would he have introduced him as his brother to Kay? He could’ve said “my adopted brother” or my “step brother”. He just said “brother”
Agree with everything except the ‘my father’ part. I think Michael’s point is it’s not for anyone but him to decide what’s best for his life. He would’ve said the same thing to Sonny, Fredo or Connie.
@@Ruggz17 I agree. It’s funny but when it comes to the inner workings of the Corleone Family Sonny and Mike will throw subtle jobs to Tom he’s not blood. BUT to anyone else outside the family (Kay for example) he’s introduced as their brother and that was the bottom line
The biggest mistake of Coppola in the whole trilogy was getting out Robert Duvall on godfather III , his role as the lawyer of the family was always vital for the whole plot
"...Now, on that basis, anything's possible. You see, all our people are businessmen. Their loyalty is based on that.” Except Michael did not think as ALL the people around him did; Fredo's loyalty and motivation was not based on business, but on something more personal and familial. It was between the brothers (pun intended). That's partly why he's so visually distraught when he later realizes Fredo's betrayal. Besides his heart being broken, his mind is completely blown because there was a flaw in his logic, based on that false premise. That's why you see Michael's eyes fluttering; he's going back over his train of thought and connecting the dots that he previously missed. As a don he learned a lesson the hard way, by missing a wrinkle in that strategy.
Out of all the characters in The Godfather trilogy, I always thought I could relate to not only Michael as someone who had distanced himself from his family, but also Tom Hagen who just want to belong more in the family like a true brother and son. I wish they didn’t kill off Tom just before Godfather 3 happened. I wish he could be the next Don or help Connie go against the villain Michael to avenge Fredo’s death.
@@dc6461 When the Godfather started out, Michael was distancing himself from the family because he wanted nothing to do with the family business… until what happened to his father and his brother Sonny. That’s the part I related the most about Michael.
@@markdaza8425 True he didn't want to be like his family. He offered himself to save the family, with clear intentions.... legitimize the business and get his family out. He was the only one left to do it. He made a wrong choice and he failed to fully clear the name.
Duvall wanted the same amount of money than Pacino in Part III. So Coppola kill the character. The same happened to Richard Castellano. Clemenza was the one who would testify against Michael, but Castellano demanded a big salary and Coppola killed his character.
It really shows how far down the slope Michael goes as the movie progresses when the one guy that he trusts above anyone else, as said in this scene, ends up one step away from going on his shit list at the end simply for questioning the logic of one of his decisions.
What was the decision he questioned? Just watched the film and forgot. I never understood why Micheal made fun of Tom for the Vegas thing or receiving other offers.
@@cassandrawilliams2980 Yes, that is Michael turning himself into a savage animal to find Roth so he can kill him out of pure vengeance for what he had done to his marriage. After Kay told him about the baby, he found Roth in a record time, paid millions to get him into country and at the lowest point of Corleone family power killed him .
Michael was already starting to analyze Tom and the other family members in the flashback scene, when he announced he joined the Marines. After he said that, Mike didn't look at anyone else, but right at Tom, as if for approval.
Yeah it could've been Michael playing into Tom's emotions. I'd like to think that he didn't just trust him as a last resort but because he was his brother who was the most qualified
@@Matthew075 He looks exactly the way a man is supposed to look at the moment after they nearly killed him and his pregnant wife . After he lost his wife he got diabetes, aged over night, never took the ring of his finger or touched another woman for the rest of his life. Now, that is change...
This makes me even more sad about the original plans for Godfather part III where Tom was supposed to become the main antagonist, instead of that stupid Roman Church subplot.
Because Don Vito made Hagen his Consigliere, some of the other Families mockingly referred to the Corleone Family as “The Irish Gang”. God knows what they would’ve called it knowing Tom was now The Don.
Back then Corleone family was one among the big five crime families. Now it is the only big crime family in there. So even if Michael made a 5 year-old boy as an acting don, enemies would say : "Man, this godfather is really planning something huge. Beware."
I think Mike probably couldn’t have cared less what others thought of Tom or placing Tom at the front. Mike valued Tom a lot more than others opinions lol
This is one of the reasons why this movie is far better than the first......Duvall (one of the most underrated actors and should've been at least nominated for this) and Pacino (screw Deniro.... Pacino has range and is practically the greatest actor of all time)......the way he states that Tom is his true brother...I mean just look at the acting...... Tom deserved it all...
It's mad how Al Pacino aged...I look at this performance and I don't see any of the later versions of Al in it at all. From this to say Scarface to Scent of a Woman or Heat...it's like different guys altogether. I guess it's testament to what a great actor he is, but he seems like 5 different guys to me?
This scene shows how manipulative Mike had become. He treated Tom like dirt but after the assassination attempt when he needed a loyal person who wouldn't grab power behind his back, Tom suddenly became brother again. I am always sickened by this scene because Mike uses Tom's insecurity about belonging. And once he is back, he starts berating Tom once again, now that his use is over.
You’re complete wrong . Mike kept Tom out because he knew he was such an asset to the family and didn’t want him mixed up in the move they were making which was taking out the other heads of the families and the danger he’d be in which was also advised to Micheal by Don Corleone himself . He always loved Tom as a Brother and knows deep down he is the only one who’s got the smarts and brains to run things other than him . He’s his brother
You missed the point entirely.... Mike done that cause he wanted a close member of his family, who wouldnt be in dealings with Roth, thus not having any selfish agenda, or personal investment to undermine Mike( cause he was cut off from direct family business) I dunno know what past experience you had in your life but clearly it clouds your judgment Just because you got buthurt doesnt mean everyone is out there to manipulate you.......
@@DiMeo22221 Rather than lecturing me perhaps you need to rewatch the saga. Then you'd notice the simmering tension between Tom and Michael right from that Christmas Eve/ Vito's birthday dinner when Mike takes offence at Tom discussing his future with his father. Hear the tone in which Mike says 'MY father'. Tom was made peripheral after Sonny's death.
@@mauzikiwell the only disagreement I would say is look how Mike introduced Tom to Kay at Connie’s wedding: this is my brother Tom. He could’ve said my stepbrother or adoptive brother. He just said brother. And also while you may be right regarding looking for a loyal foot soldier to entrust his empire to- Mike entrusted the lives of his wife and two children to Tom while Mike stepped back completely. That’s not something to do with a loyal foot soldier in your “professional”. That’s something you do with someone you have a trust that’s almost unbreakable
Tom is an example of Corporate man, a legal advocate . He could hv started his own firm or start career into politic, alas he is with a mafia family since kid, " I am a lawyer , serve only one client" he said.
I might agree with you on that one. Michael was set out more than a gangster. He's almost invincible and he plays around even against international relations. He almost has no weakness except his family. Meanwhile Tom just executes every order and knows how the business operates no matter how shady while also trying to question his position, he's a humanized version of Michael Corleone who became too powerful.
Glad for the movie, more so having read the book. Tom was not on the violent side of the family business. He was a thinker and corporate was his sphere. Don Corleone knew, violence would be the only means to end the war and Tom could have no involved interest. Mike was told by the Don, so Tom ended up distant from the inner circle, as a means to protect him, just in case too much violence consumed all the NYC families. If so, Tom would be leader, the Corleone family to survive and clean.
I actually agree with this. I think mikes long term plan was to legitimize the family once he hit Vegas and Tom was to become a huge part of that. I think him and Vito both wanted to keep Tom out of what happened in New York in case things went bad Tom could still lead the family in Vegas. Tom was thinking of his position in the now sense. Mike was thinking of Tom’s position in the future
So fredo has men he controls. So he is given some power. He's also shown as the top capo in chart at the senate hearing. He has to know he could never be don. Just cause he's older he thinks he should get that kind of power ? Why would he even want it when he likes to party & have fun ?
In real life, Tom wouldn't even be as high up as he is in the corleone family. He isn't italian by blood at all he's part German and Irish. Never mind be a don
@@vendettairish9976 I don't know about real life, but he was always loyal to the family and Sonny adored him, and his opinion was not to be questioned by anyone except Vito's, who himself accepted him as his own son, otherwise he wouldn't have become consigliere and a man of a trust in the first place and that position in the world of mafia is also not given to someone who is not Italian. Michael needed some time to understand some things about him, because they were never that close, although they undoubtedly loved each other.
Most of the people are here businessman and their loyalty is based on that. Just think about it by imagining of people around you. And about the the all e-commerce gurus.
You can always tell Michael is being manipulative when he hands you a drink. It's his way of saying you can trust me but I am going to use you to get what I need out of you then either dispose of you or send you away. He did the same thing with Carlo Rizzi.
Why was Michael Corleone so mean to Tom Hagen? Michael loves Tom the way he loves all of his brothers. He was never mean to him. Unfortunately there were many things working against him. Tom was an orphan that was raised by the Corleone's. Tom was a valued son but he wasn't a Sicilian. That alone would put a target on his back if he wasn't careful. When Vito's old consigliere Genco was dying, Vito appointed Tom as the new consigliere. In terms of business and basic strategy, Tom was very competent. He was also the only one who could talk Sonny down. Sadly he lacked a deeper understanding as to how Sicilian's thought in times of war, as well as his lack of experience in said wars. Tom was incapable of guiding the family into a greater future while dealing with the war at hand. Tom was also a lawyer. He represents a legal and moral image of the Corelone family. There was no way that Michael could allow his hands to become dirty. Tom had to be sqeaky clean at all times. He was a crucial factor in Michaels plans to make the Corleone family legitimate. Michael was envious of Tom's position. Tom was spared the pain of having to cross into the darkness in order to keep his family safe. Michael didn't hate Tom for this. In fact he rewarded him by allowing him to be the Don for a short time while Michael went to Vegas to deal with Roth and check on Fredo. He also helped defend Michael against the Senate hearings against the Mafia. He also made sure to get Senator Patrick Geary on his side, covering up the death of a prostitute named June Gardner. Geary was having sex with her and believed to have killed her having been blackout drunk. Michael was never truly mean to Tom. It was circumstances and his desire to protect his family that made him ruthless. Protecting his family also included Tom. He needed to be sure that Tom was far away from all the horrors of the mafia.
I never undesrtood why Michael have to go that very night and why he chooses to transfer temporary power to Tom. He could go all over the places he went with a little army and still as the Don.
For people who say Mike doesn’t love or trust Tom- look into this scene: he was just almost assassinated (still not sure by who) and not only does he turn over his empire to Tom but also entrusts the lives of his wife and two children to Tom. If that isn’t the mark of trust I don’t know what is.
Mike's interpretation of love is definitely distorted but there's no doubt that he cares for Tom deeply
Michael really appreciated respected and genuinely loved Tom. How ever Michael wanted to keep Tom safe and secured.
People only have value to Michael as long as he can use them to further his personal goals.
Michael is lying just as he lies to everyone else. He didn’t keep things secret from Tom because he loves him. He kept things secret from Tom because he needed a clean lawyer. Look towards the end of the movie when he is happy to send Tom away forever if Tom is not “with him.”
Flattering people to win their loyalty is the Corleone M.O. In the films, Luca Brasi illustrates this. Don Vito calls Brasi his “most valued friend” to his face but despises him in private. In the book Al Neri’s back story demonstrates this even better. Getting a former cop into the family was the plan from the beginning, and Neri was hand picked and groomed - with flattery - into a Corleone button man.
Roth was weeks from death, but Michael still sent Rocco on a suicide mission to kill him, because ego. No one is above being used by Michael.
When Michael compliments you, he’s manipulating you. He is manipulating Tom here.
I dunno. While I think Michael did love Tom in his own way, this feels like another example of Michael's ability to manipulate people. Whether it was the theatrical outburst when he visits Pantangeli in New York, meant to test Pantangeli's loyalty, his cynical manipulation of Kay when he returns from Sicily to convince her to marry him, or even his harsh testing of Tom at the end of part 2, he always seems to be using demonstrations of emotion as a means of manipulation.
@@mightymartianca why are you lying?
What was cynical about Michael and Kay after he returned from Sicily?
What is the matter with you?
Michael conned Apollonia into marrying him at the hight of the danger so he can satisfy his thunderbolt.
And he killed her, than moved on as if she never existed.
He brought Kay back into his life more than a year after he came back, precisely bc loved her and cared for her.
After he made sure it was safe for her.
Goldigger died he told Kay he loved her and cared for her.
Kay left he got diabetes aged over night, stopped smoking drinking killing, never took the ring of his finger or touched another woman for the rest of his life.
"Micheal, why am I out?"
Because if this kind of a moment were to ever arise you are the only person I can turn to.
Tom becoming an acting boss and he’s not even italian ! ! ! That’s GOD STATUS achievement
Sicilian you mean
This is where I learned something interesting .
Thomas was the acting Don of the family.
Michael knew he had to keep this going for some time on the surface.
Just like in starwars
Exactly
As an Italian American myself we are not a race of people we're just white Europeans just like any other people from Europe lol but Tom is an Italian because he was adopted by veto Italians not a race so Tom can be the godfather because he's veto's son he is Italian because he got adopted just like Dotty's wife was Jewish in real life so his son was half Jewish again not a race but he was still allowed to be the boss
But Tom is Italian he got adopted by Vito that makes him Italian's not a race they're just white Europeans I'm an Italian believe me I'm white lol Tom's in Italian when he becomes part of Vito's family
Always kinda felt for Tom. The man who took him in and became like a father died, the man he looked up to like a brother was killed, the family dynamic changed quickly and drastically and what remained was a callous individual who alienated Tom on a regular basis. His conversation with Frank Petangelli showed his lamenting for what the Corleone family used to be.
Part 2 is the decline of a once Empire-like Italian mafia family.
@@brandonmedina494 Yup. The FINAL movie of the series.
Final.(Lol, theres a few movies I think end good on their second film and don't need a third(Dark Knight, Godfather part II).
@@phousefilms oh yeah GF 1 and 2 are the only ones. There is no GF 3
@@brandonmedina494 which is funny because Michael did turn it into more of an empire. His earnings made what Vito brought in look like small peanuts, mike took all the business from the five families and controlled Vegas as well. But his “empire” was only greater in finance, Vito had the respect and power and nobility that Michael couldnt achieve
@@youtubeaccount1661 yep
The look on Tom’s face when Michael made him acting don, says a lot. And I wonder if that made Fredo even more pissed, him getting stepped over not once but twice
Yes, but Fredo could never do it. Michael knew that, Tom knew that, and Fredo did too, and I think it crushed Fredo the most because it made him feel insignificant to the family.
Fredo proved over and over that he should never be handed anything of importance. Granted someone like Fredo shouldn’t have been given the important job of guarding the Don, but it was to the point the gunmen knew Fredo was such a non-threat they just left him to weep over his wounded father. They wouldn’t even need to kidnap or torture Fredo, just get him drunk and subtlety point the conversation towards whatever the enemies of the Corleones wanted to know.
I don't think it pissed him off more than Michael being the head of the family being younger than him.
Tom is older an he's got experience in the business, being around with Vito for years, it's not a bad decision at all. He might seem like he doesn't have the temper to be the Don but he even let a young woman die just to get Senator Geary on their side.
Tom has the experience and intelligence to run the family business at least temporarily. Fredo is a good person but he could be outsmarted and fooled easily while Tom doesn't.
That's why I think that decision didn't make Fredo angry (although I also thought that he might be).
In addition to Fredo being the traitor in the family, he knew he wasn't meant to be the Don in that moment in particular.
@@becca2938 no Fred I was pissed off because they had made mike the don and he beloved he was the best option since he was older
@@shalucard107 Again, it made him feel insignificant to the family.
Tom actually makes a great Don. Great leader and smart. Makes sense Michael gave his trust and all of his power to him
Jesus ....What a powerful scene Tom was very emotional when Michael said "your my brother"
Yeah I loved that
You’re*
Tho not blood they were brothers and Tom was the only person Michael could really trust, he didn't leave Kay and his children in the care of Fredo for good reason, he knew Tom would protect them at all costs
This writing for Godfather Part 1 & 2 is unmatched this was a serious chess move think about yall!!! You keep the one person you trust out the shady business because one day down the line something is going to happened and you have the ace in the whole ally. by your side because you know he don’t know nothin and can’t harm what he’s not apart of GENIUS
“Think as people around you think.” And with that... “anything is possible.” Wise words to Live By.
Can you please elaborate?
@@JTorres34 Don't ignore any possibilities, don't ignore any theories, people are crafty, people are devious, people are smart, people are cruel....and on that basis: "Anything is possible."
@@spaceballs72 thank you very informative the way you broke it down 🤙🏼
My favorite line was, “all our ppl are businessmen. Their loyalty is based on that. “
@@JTorres34 It means when you’re around the wolves you have to howl with the wolves . It’s called survival
Michael speaks from the heart for the first time. He tells Tom the truth of how much compassion he has For Tom. Taking out Tom from family business is out of the question. Tom kept Michael in check with his emotions. Michael did the same for Tom. Tom was always admired trusted & respected. Vito saw this as did others. This reasoning was the perspective Vito always wanted & needed.
That’s why Michael says “ I trust these people with my life senator” !
Honestly, the only times I think Michael was demonstrating true or at least unfiltered emotions in part 2 is when he reveals to Fredo that he knows Fredo was the traitor, and when he flies into a rage when Kay reveals she had an abortion and was leaving him. The rest of the time he uses emotion as a means of manipulating people. He had Vito's intelligence and insight, but none of Vito's heart. Even his first scene in part 1 where he's revealing the nature of his family to Kay, it's halfway between a bit of bragging to impress his girlfriend, and to mark him as different than his family.
@@mightymartianca
Why are you lying?
Wtf are you talking about?
Most beautiful moment of entire trilogy is Michael and Kay on a dance floor.
He is apologizing her for the people that are there.
Kay :" It makes me wonder what you ones said to me. Corleone family will be legitimate in 5 years ago, that was seven years ago ".
At that moment in a scene, in a script Coppola writes a sentence
---- Michael doesn't know what to answer her, just that he loves her and values her----
In a movie he he says " I know honey, I'm trying "....than he kisses her on the hand and her cheek.
He was serious about legitimizing business. Throughout entire trilogy he is trying to legitimize it.
He went to Cuba to kill Roth after the attack on the house but he also wanted that deal to happen bc it's the only path out of the gambling business and into the legitimacy.
Yes, he trusted them with his life, not bc they were " in charge of his emotions " ...
But bc Al Neri protected him with physically and Hagen legally.
Michael after Apollonia died
" Pop, what about Sonny, what about Sicily. If we don't respond isn't family gonna be weak "...
Not even mentioning her, not even saying her name let alone addressing her as his wife. Literally, just worried about status of his family.
What about Sicily? Well, Barzini tried to kill him but he got away .
Michael after house got attacked. Kay didn't die but almost
" Did you hear what happened in my home, in my home in my bedroom where my wife sleep and where my children come to play with their toys. In my home. I want you to help me get revenge "
At that moment in a scene, in a script Coppola writes a sentence
--- Frank P has never seen Michael that angry----
@@mightymartianca
She died he came home and told Kay he loved her and cared about her.
Kay left he got diabetes, aged over night, stopped smoking, drinking, killing, never took the ring of his finger or touched another woman for the rest of his life .
The subtleties and nuances in the acting here. And all spoken at a hush, both men’s eyes-particularly Michael’s-radiating with inner life. How does one even begin to pick a favorite scene? Smh…..
Love how much context this scene puts into the earlier scene in part 1 when Michael leaves Tom out of everything except family lawyer. He said then it was no reflection on Tom but he had become so hard by that point it was hard not to think it was with what little we knew. Vito knew the true reasons as well hence why he tried to assure Tom that it had nothing to do with what happened while he was counsel to Sonny and what happened to him. But it would have been hard for Tom not to feel that way. Turns out Michael was telling the truth. It wasn't a reflection on Tom's inability but a reflection on his ability and the respect and admiration Michael held toward him. He knew one day he'd need that one brother to count on through thick and thin and heart and logic are not the same thing, so he set it up so that there would be by design zero reason Tom could ever logically not be trusted.
Michael is so handsome
Yessss
I often wonder if Michael really ever trusted or loved Tom, or was just saying nice things to him here to see how he'd react, to see if Tom was behind the attempt on his life.
I wonder that too until I watch TGF 1&2, but I actually think he does love/ trust him . Not only does he give him his empire but also asks him to look after Kay & their kids
@@NiqNiq exactly, i saw another comment saying that at this moment, not knowing who to trust, tom is the one michael goes to for protection of his family, that is as strong a mark of trust as anything else
He did. He set things up this way as far back as the first movie for a situation such as just this, so he could have Tom to rely on with no logical suspicions. He already knew that Tom having anything to do with this was an impossibility by virtue of Tom purposely just not knowing enough.
Tom always had acceptance from all of the Corleone’s, but clearly he wanted Michael’s acceptance the most. It damn near put him tears to finally hear words of validation from the one sibling he respects the most.
This stands in contrast to the flashback scene at the end of the film, when Michael tells the family he joined the Marines. Tom informs Michael that he and Don Corleone have had discussions on Michael’s future, to which the latter stingingly replies, “You spoke to MY father about MY future?”, he meant it as a subtle and cruel reminded to Tom that he’s not blood.
I don’t know if I agree with that. If Mikey really felt that way why would he have introduced him as his brother to Kay? He could’ve said “my adopted brother” or my “step brother”. He just said “brother”
Agree with everything except the ‘my father’ part. I think Michael’s point is it’s not for anyone but him to decide what’s best for his life. He would’ve said the same thing to Sonny, Fredo or Connie.
@@Ruggz17 I agree. It’s funny but when it comes to the inner workings of the Corleone Family Sonny and Mike will throw subtle jobs to Tom he’s not blood. BUT to anyone else outside the family (Kay for example) he’s introduced as their brother and that was the bottom line
The biggest mistake of Coppola in the whole trilogy was getting out Robert Duvall on godfather III , his role as the lawyer of the family was always vital for the whole plot
It wasn't FFC's decision. The studio refused to pay Duvall what Duvall thought he was worth.
Tom was very intelligent instrumental & thought of strategic planning which Michael appreciated & approved of.
Was not about Coppola. But Yeah I missed Tom there he was my favorite character.
All our people are business their loyalty is based on that.. try to think what people around you think and on that basis every thing is possible.
"...Now, on that basis, anything's possible. You see, all our people are businessmen. Their loyalty is based on that.” Except Michael did not think as ALL the people around him did; Fredo's loyalty and motivation was not based on business, but on something more personal and familial. It was between the brothers (pun intended).
That's partly why he's so visually distraught when he later realizes Fredo's betrayal. Besides his heart being broken, his mind is completely blown because there was a flaw in his logic, based on that false premise. That's why you see Michael's eyes fluttering; he's going back over his train of thought and connecting the dots that he previously missed. As a don he learned a lesson the hard way, by missing a wrinkle in that strategy.
Mikey played his part so well
Tom and mike my favoerite character of the saga , powerful team🔥
Damn what a amazing scene 10/10
Tom is my favorite....
Out of all the characters in The Godfather trilogy, I always thought I could relate to not only Michael as someone who had distanced himself from his family, but also Tom Hagen who just want to belong more in the family like a true brother and son. I wish they didn’t kill off Tom just before Godfather 3 happened. I wish he could be the next Don or help Connie go against the villain Michael to avenge Fredo’s death.
Robert Duvall didn’t want to be in Part III.
Duvall said they gave Pacino 5 million and wanted something close to it and didn’t take the offer.
Michael is distancing himself from the family?
@@dc6461 When the Godfather started out, Michael was distancing himself from the family because he wanted nothing to do with the family business… until what happened to his father and his brother Sonny. That’s the part I related the most about Michael.
@@markdaza8425
True he didn't want to be like his family.
He offered himself to save the family, with clear intentions.... legitimize the business and get his family out.
He was the only one left to do it.
He made a wrong choice and he failed to fully clear the name.
Duvall wanted the same amount of money than Pacino in Part III. So Coppola kill the character. The same happened to Richard Castellano. Clemenza was the one who would testify against Michael, but Castellano demanded a big salary and Coppola killed his character.
It really shows how far down the slope Michael goes as the movie progresses when the one guy that he trusts above anyone else, as said in this scene, ends up one step away from going on his shit list at the end simply for questioning the logic of one of his decisions.
What was the decision he questioned? Just watched the film and forgot. I never understood why Micheal made fun of Tom for the Vegas thing or receiving other offers.
@@RayyanKhanRayyanKhan Killing Roth and the Rosatto brothers. "You won. Do you want to wipe *everyone* out?"
@@cassandrawilliams2980 "I don't feel I have to wipe everyone out. Just my enemies that's all"
@@cassandrawilliams2980
Yes, that is Michael turning himself into a savage animal to find Roth so he can kill him out of pure vengeance for what he had done to his marriage.
After Kay told him about the baby, he found Roth in a record time, paid millions to get him into country and at the lowest point of Corleone family power killed him .
Excellent life advice from Michael when it comes to business. Any effective manager in a business knows this.
Michael was already starting to analyze Tom and the other family members in the flashback scene, when he announced he joined the Marines. After he said that, Mike didn't look at anyone else, but right at Tom, as if for approval.
Carlo was kept out of the family business
Tom was very well fed by the family
Never let someone feed your dog ! 🙂
Tom, I got your money. And your yayo.
I often wonder if Micheal still loved Tom as a brother here despite how screwed up he is .
Yeah it could've been Michael playing into Tom's emotions. I'd like to think that he didn't just trust him as a last resort but because he was his brother who was the most qualified
Michael seems absolutely miserable.. like he's never had a happy moment in his life.
This conversation is simply because Tom is his brother. Regardless of blood. This was the brother he trusted the most
@@Matthew075
He looks exactly the way a man is supposed to look at the moment after they nearly killed him and his pregnant wife .
After he lost his wife he got diabetes, aged over night, never took the ring of his finger or touched another woman for the rest of his life.
Now, that is change...
@@dc6461 Truth
This makes me even more sad about the original plans for Godfather part III where Tom was supposed to become the main antagonist, instead of that stupid Roman Church subplot.
Agree. What the hell were they thinking... It could've been such a great part 3
@@rrguitar1 the movie was being rushed by Paramount and I think if there's one reason we can give for why 3 wasn't as good, it would be that.
Damn really?
In the end, Duvall was right. It was a money grab. That’s why he didn’t do 3
In personal, I glad Tom never became antagonist. All that left is a man who loved his family to the end
Because Don Vito made Hagen his Consigliere, some of the other Families mockingly referred to the Corleone Family as “The Irish Gang”. God knows what they would’ve called it knowing Tom was now The Don.
Back then Corleone family was one among the big five crime families. Now it is the only big crime family in there. So even if Michael made a 5 year-old boy as an acting don, enemies would say : "Man, this godfather is really planning something huge. Beware."
I think Mike probably couldn’t have cared less what others thought of Tom or placing Tom at the front. Mike valued Tom a lot more than others opinions lol
This is one of the reasons why this movie is far better than the first......Duvall (one of the most underrated actors and should've been at least nominated for this) and Pacino (screw Deniro.... Pacino has range and is practically the greatest actor of all time)......the way he states that Tom is his true brother...I mean just look at the acting...... Tom deserved it all...
It's mad how Al Pacino aged...I look at this performance and I don't see any of the later versions of Al in it at all. From this to say Scarface to Scent of a Woman or Heat...it's like different guys altogether. I guess it's testament to what a great actor he is, but he seems like 5 different guys to me?
This scene shows how manipulative Mike had become. He treated Tom like dirt but after the assassination attempt when he needed a loyal person who wouldn't grab power behind his back, Tom suddenly became brother again. I am always sickened by this scene because Mike uses Tom's insecurity about belonging. And once he is back, he starts berating Tom once again, now that his use is over.
You’re complete wrong . Mike kept Tom out because he knew he was such an asset to the family and didn’t want him mixed up in the move they were making which was taking out the other heads of the families and the danger he’d be in which was also advised to Micheal by Don Corleone himself . He always loved Tom as a Brother and knows deep down he is the only one who’s got the smarts and brains to run things other than him . He’s his brother
You missed the point entirely....
Mike done that cause he wanted a close member of his family, who wouldnt be in dealings with Roth, thus not having any selfish agenda, or personal investment to undermine Mike( cause he was cut off from direct family business)
I dunno know what past experience you had in your life but clearly it clouds your judgment
Just because you got buthurt doesnt mean everyone is out there to manipulate you.......
@@DiMeo22221 Rather than lecturing me perhaps you need to rewatch the saga. Then you'd notice the simmering tension between Tom and Michael right from that Christmas Eve/ Vito's birthday dinner when Mike takes offence at Tom discussing his future with his father. Hear the tone in which Mike says 'MY father'. Tom was made peripheral after Sonny's death.
@@mauzikiwell the only disagreement I would say is look how Mike introduced Tom to Kay at Connie’s wedding: this is my brother Tom. He could’ve said my stepbrother or adoptive brother. He just said brother. And also while you may be right regarding looking for a loyal foot soldier to entrust his empire to- Mike entrusted the lives of his wife and two children to Tom while Mike stepped back completely. That’s not something to do with a loyal foot soldier in your “professional”. That’s something you do with someone you have a trust that’s almost unbreakable
Underrated scene
MASTERPIECE!!!
Magnificent.🎬🤩🤩🤩🤩🎭🎭
Tom is an example of Corporate man, a legal advocate . He could hv started his own firm or start career into politic, alas he is with a mafia family since kid, " I am a lawyer , serve only one client" he said.
Best scene ever u don’t know about this it’s deep
Although German/Irish....Tom was the perfect Don!
People may Disagree with my Assessment, but I believe that Tom Hagan was The Real Gangster in The Corleone Family....
Cause he’s the lawyer?😂
How?
I might agree with you on that one. Michael was set out more than a gangster. He's almost invincible and he plays around even against international relations. He almost has no weakness except his family. Meanwhile Tom just executes every order and knows how the business operates no matter how shady while also trying to question his position, he's a humanized version of Michael Corleone who became too powerful.
Glad for the movie, more so having read the book. Tom was not on the violent side of the family business. He was a thinker and corporate was his sphere. Don Corleone knew, violence would be the only means to end the war and Tom could have no involved interest. Mike was told by the Don, so Tom ended up distant from the inner circle, as a means to protect him, just in case too much violence consumed all the NYC families. If so, Tom would be leader, the Corleone family to survive and clean.
I actually agree with this. I think mikes long term plan was to legitimize the family once he hit Vegas and Tom was to become a huge part of that. I think him and Vito both wanted to keep Tom out of what happened in New York in case things went bad Tom could still lead the family in Vegas. Tom was thinking of his position in the now sense. Mike was thinking of Tom’s position in the future
@@dillionoshea7535 agrees. Only issue, those he associated with were be held to the old ways still. To try to legitimize illegal is not realistic.
0:50 Fredo out here catchin' strays 😂
Very serious and powerful scene only real dudes understand.
We all have "tom hagan" in our life
So fredo has men he controls. So he is given some power. He's also shown as the top capo in chart at the senate hearing. He has to know he could never be don. Just cause he's older he thinks he should get that kind of power ? Why would he even want it when he likes to party & have fun ?
In real life, Michael would not make Tom Hagen the Don. Michael would still be Don, regardless of leaving to do business elsewhere.
In real life, Tom wouldn't even be as high up as he is in the corleone family. He isn't italian by blood at all he's part German and Irish. Never mind be a don
@@vendettairish9976 Yup. Facts.
@@josecarranza7555 But, he was probably the brainiest of them even though he wasn't one of them, until michael took over
@@vendettairish9976 Yeah and was the lawyer of the family so I guess Vito thought to might as well make him the consigliere as well.
@@vendettairish9976 I don't know about real life, but he was always loyal to the family and Sonny adored him, and his opinion was not to be questioned by anyone except Vito's, who himself accepted him as his own son, otherwise he wouldn't have become consigliere and a man of a trust in the first place and that position in the world of mafia is also not given to someone who is not Italian. Michael needed some time to understand some things about him, because they were never that close, although they undoubtedly loved each other.
I think Michael should have entrusted Hagen more with ruthless plans. As we saw that Hagen did not lack ruthlessness.
Most of the people are here businessman and their loyalty is based on that. Just think about it by imagining of people around you. And about the the all e-commerce gurus.
I believe Michael may have had love for Tom, but business was always at the forefront. So much so that he killed his own flesh and blood.
Yes, for Kay. Wtf does business has to do with his death?
You can always tell Michael is being manipulative when he hands you a drink. It's his way of saying you can trust me but I am going to use you to get what I need out of you then either dispose of you or send you away. He did the same thing with Carlo Rizzi.
Carlo was kept out of the family business
Tom was very well fed by the family
Never let someone feed your dog ! 🙂
Who killed the assassins? Was it fredo?
哈根是彌加爾的一隻暗棋。但只能用一次。
Why was Michael Corleone so mean to Tom Hagen?
Michael loves Tom the way he loves all of his brothers. He was never mean to him. Unfortunately there were many things working against him.
Tom was an orphan that was raised by the Corleone's. Tom was a valued son but he wasn't a Sicilian. That alone would put a target on his back if he wasn't careful.
When Vito's old consigliere Genco was dying, Vito appointed Tom as the new consigliere. In terms of business and basic strategy, Tom was very competent. He was also the only one who could talk Sonny down. Sadly he lacked a deeper understanding as to how Sicilian's thought in times of war, as well as his lack of experience in said wars. Tom was incapable of guiding the family into a greater future while dealing with the war at hand.
Tom was also a lawyer. He represents a legal and moral image of the Corelone family. There was no way that Michael could allow his hands to become dirty. Tom had to be sqeaky clean at all times. He was a crucial factor in Michaels plans to make the Corleone family legitimate.
Michael was envious of Tom's position. Tom was spared the pain of having to cross into the darkness in order to keep his family safe. Michael didn't hate Tom for this. In fact he rewarded him by allowing him to be the Don for a short time while Michael went to Vegas to deal with Roth and check on Fredo.
He also helped defend Michael against the Senate hearings against the Mafia. He also made sure to get Senator Patrick Geary on his side, covering up the death of a prostitute named June Gardner. Geary was having sex with her and believed to have killed her having been blackout drunk.
Michael was never truly mean to Tom. It was circumstances and his desire to protect his family that made him ruthless. Protecting his family also included Tom. He needed to be sure that Tom was far away from all the horrors of the mafia.
i thought tom is out in godfather 2, what the fuck
Back and forth lol
Part 1 Michael says “You’re out Tom”.
Later in the movie, Tom witnesses Carlo getting whacked.
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Was Michael drinking that bottle of Courvoisier? He always drunk water I thought he was diabetic
1:58. Help me, i cant hear Tom says clearly. Please help me to know whats he saying
He asks Michael when they find these guys if they could discover who is behind it all.
I never undesrtood why Michael have to go that very night and why he chooses to transfer temporary power to Tom. He could go all over the places he went with a little army and still as the Don.
Watching this after trump fail assignation.