Elliot_Kyouma t1_j2cvnox wrote on December 31, 2022 at 8:23 AM

The Appolonia plot is mostly unnecessary and diminishes Michael's relationship with Kay. It feels like a soap opera arc.

I genuinely think 2 is perfect.

jlambvo t1_j2cwl8w wrote on December 31, 2022 at 8:35 AM

I thought that was kind of the point. Appolonia was Michael being pulled between his heritage and the independent identity he was originally trying to form. Diminishing his relationship with Kay was really about diminishing that break from his family's path. Returning to her was a way of lying to himself.

Elliot_Kyouma t1_j2cxaxu wrote on December 31, 2022 at 8:45 AM

That's a great interpretation, i hadn't thought about that. Still, him breaking away from his independent identity is evident from whole rest of the movie, there was no need for another love interest to highlight it imo.

Generally i think the first movie goes into a few tangent plots that sometimes work, like the hollywood producer subplot, but sometimes they don't. The second film is more focused.

ColdPressedSteak t1_j2cwm7m wrote on December 31, 2022 at 8:35 AM

I don't really think it diminishes his relationship with Kay. It's not supposed to be a perfect relationship and he's not supposed to be the perfect significant other, by a long shot

It does drag the pacing of the movie though and yeah, ultimately unnecessary

l5555l t1_j2e7clo wrote on December 31, 2022 at 4:36 PM

I don't think it's unnecessary at all. It changes him fundamentally as a person. He becomes a bitter, cynical, ruthless man as a result.

justin_caseimhigh t1_j2eipb9 wrote on December 31, 2022 at 5:52 PM

In the book the murder of Apollonia is what prompts him to decide to join the family. For what it’s worth

neurosisxeno t1_j2ejd0h wrote on December 31, 2022 at 5:57 PM

I think it’s largely a wake up call that no matter what he does he cannot escape the family business and live in peace. It will follow him and destroy everything he loves if he keeps trying to run away.

queenrosybee OP t1_j2fw9hb wrote on December 31, 2022 at 11:49 PM

I love the Appolonia part. Bc before that, Michael is Americanized with his waspy, college educated girlfriend. The. He returns to his roots and his primal self falls for Appolonia based purely on wanting to bang her and that she’s untouched. Without speaking to her, he arranges to marry her with her father, without discussing it with her. In modern terms, it’s like the guy who pretends to be woke but then… not so woke. Then finding out Sonny was murdered and Appolonia was too, and he’s in vengeance mode.