Michael and Kay did meet and fall in love, but it was more of a pleasant dating thing. It was sophisticated. She was a get out of the family free card. He did like her very much. But, when she called him she said "I love you". Michael could not even return the favor. If things would have remained the same as it was before Vito's failed assassination attempt and the killings of Sollozo and McKlusky, Michael would have grown to love Kay. However Michael had to flee to Italy, cutting off ties with her, unofficially. It seems as if he did not carry the memories of Kay with him.
As soon as Michael saw Apollonia, he was literally stopped on his tracks, he could only stand there. He immediately thought she was beautiful and amazing. In that moment he picked his spouse, mentally. Later, he speaks with her father and mentions Apollonia gaining husband (him). He and Kay dates for a while. Michael and Apollonia dated for like 4 days then got married. We were able to see the entire relationship unfold, and we were even able to catch a glimpse of their wedding night. Which was filled with undeniable passion. Sadly, Apollonia was quickly taken from him. It was the turning point in Michael.
When he returned, he waited over a year to reach Kay. He proposed in a dark awkward way. I personally feel like they married our of necessitie and convenience not love. He lied to her face in the end.
In the second movie, Michael's despicable ways drive Kay to abort their baby. Michael is irate to say the least. He slaps her, calls her a bitch, and threatens to kill her. Do you think he would ever do anything to sweet, pretty Apollonia. Honestly, she would have never got on his space or aborted his son. He would have always been gentle with her.
Safe to say: Apollonia wins all! Sorry Kay, can't win em all girl
As soon as Michael saw Apollonia, he was literally stopped on his tracks, he could only stand there. He immediately thought she was beautiful and amazing. In that moment he picked his spouse, mentally. Later, he speaks with her father and mentions Apollonia gaining husband (him). He and Kay dates for a while. Michael and Apollonia dated for like 4 days then got married. We were able to see the entire relationship unfold, and we were even able to catch a glimpse of their wedding night. Which was filled with undeniable passion. Sadly, Apollonia was quickly taken from him. It was the turning point in Michael.
When he returned, he waited over a year to reach Kay. He proposed in a dark awkward way. I personally feel like they married our of necessitie and convenience not love. He lied to her face in the end.
In the second movie, Michael's despicable ways drive Kay to abort their baby. Michael is irate to say the least. He slaps her, calls her a bitch, and threatens to kill her. Do you think he would ever do anything to sweet, pretty Apollonia. Honestly, she would have never got on his space or aborted his son. He would have always been gentle with her.
Safe to say: Apollonia wins all! Sorry Kay, can't win em all girl
Your feedback is private.
Is this answer still relevant and up to date?
Related QuestionsMore Answers Below
Brian Overland, Not a made man; just a fan of Mario Puzo
Kay was the wife that Michael thought he wanted; Apollonia was the wife he was more suited to.
Kay Adams represented success in the American establishment… well-heeled, educated, and (I believe) from a Northern-European Protestant background. But she didn’t wear her Protestantism or her non-Italian background on her sleeve, so the family was willing to accept her.
The fact that Michael chose Kay in the end might have been a remnant of the underlying dream of social acceptance in America. (“Senator Corleone, Governor Corleone”… “We’ll get there, Pop.”)
Apollonia, despite “looking Greek” had full Sicilian blood. But more importantly, she was of the “old country” and personified old-country values.
One of the facinating episodes in Godfather I is how the father tries to “protect” his daughter from young male admirers, but Michael instantly knows that there is a way to overcome that barrier — and it is by doing things as they are done traditionally, in the old way:
Family is the most important thing.
When you marry a girl, you must first win over the family.
Having long discussions about life and love is not necessary, as it would be in the United States. A girl will marry only a suitor that her family has approved.
Then, once married, such a young woman understands that it is not her place to question her husband’s business. Only to support him.
In short, despite the language barrier, which they overcome, Appollonia would’ve actually been the ideal wife for Michael Corleone. And this in turn is because, despite the fact he understands modern society, he is at heart a Sicilian and appreciates the “old” ways.
Maja Burazin, lives in Zagreb, Croatia
It is hard to tell because Michael met these two women at different periods in his life. Kay was his (almost) whole-life companion, a wife and a friend. Apollonia was a woman of his dreams purely due to her good looks. He met her during the most disturbing period and at the turnpoint in his life (when he had to flee the US and move to Sicily).
Michael was building his relationship with Kay for a very long time. Slowly and steadily. They shared the same interests and they had a lot in common. Their relationship and marriage were mature and they worked hard to keep the marriage work. However, when Kay realized that Michael would never give up his lifestyle and the world of crime, things started falling apart. In “The Godfather 3” it became obvious that they had always had a feeling of deep respect for each other. Although Kay betrayed Michael when she aborted his son and although Michael cheated Kay (when he married Apollonia, the two of them were still together) and didn't keep his promise (that he would make the business legitimate), Kay and Michael loved each other. Especially after they had kids. There were times when Kay loathed Michael and when she was scared of him, but, she cared for him.
When Michael first set eyes on Apollonia, he was swept off his feet. It was the love at first sight for him and he forgot everything when he met her. He no longer cared about Kay or his family in America. If she hadn't been killed, they would have been the perfect couple. While Kay was an American who never truly understood Italians, Apollonia was a perfect traditional Italian wife. If she hadn't been killed, the would have probably given birth to many Italian babies, she wouldn't have asked any questions about the “business” and she would have been the perfect stay-at-home mom.
But, she was killed and this short marriage was just a happy dream.
Anonymous
People have their own preferences and some of it involves their own feelings towards the actresses. I like to stick to Mario Puzo and respect that the characters belonged to him, not me. I don't think Mario intended for it to be a contest between the two women as women are peripheral anyway. Also, there are contradictions/inconsistencies between the film and the book that are maddening to me. However, Mario only used the word "love" for Michael twice--that he "loved" Kay and "loved his father". Kay was his dream girl. Al Pacino said that Michael loved Kay from the beginning. Remember that Mario's character of Michael was a man who had dreams and I do not ever want to dismiss this important deep aspect of Michael. Also, this transformation of Michael is considered the "destruction of a man" yet it seems like commenters want him in this destructed state and in a relationship they think will better facilitate it. We are introduced to Michael and Kay after years of being together. Michael loved Kay, respected her and shared his dreams with her...and she was more important to him than his family. They also had an mind-to-mind relationship--with humour and wit. He liked that. He could talk with her. Michael was a brooder and a thinker and he liked to talk with his girlfriend (not a guy's guy--beer drinking with the buddies)--so his girlfriend had to be that someone he could trust his thoughts to. He would consult with Kay (ie. his surgery) and ask her "what should I do". She didn't care how he looked, she loved him but explained why he should do it. He knew he got the truth from her. Michael needed that. People forget the intellectual part of Michael and how he needs to connect to the one person. En route to Sicily, he was sure Kay would be disgusted with him, imagined the moment when she would read the papers believing that once she knew that he was in that world he claimed to abandon, that it was over for them, that she would never want him again. Yet, he still thought about her until he met Apollonia. When he returned from Sicily he wasn't glad to see anyone in his family but he was glad to see Kay and when he was with her (in book only six months transpired from Sicily and Apo's death) he was home. Kay was more than just business. She was his connection to home, his humanity and his dreams. He had to be a better man with her...and Michael wanted to believe he was a better man. Kay called him on his sh.t because that is what women in a free world do. I love Apollonia too and Michael fell hard. We are introduced to them at the moment of meeting. He lost her at the most intense stage of his feelings for her and that would live on. But what about the feelings of a woman? She did not feel for Michael like Kay did. Their love was new and not tested for time and I believe that in time their marriage would have been typical for Italian culture relationships that come together in those circumstances (me being Italian). Especially after kids are born and the women (who were not in love in the first place) focus on the "mother" and not the "wife". Mario offers few words regarding relationships--again peripheral so read the few clues carefully. The facts about that relationship: she was disinterested in him, not attracted (spoke with brother and laughed with him instead)...until she was gifted jewellery and was persuaded of the life she would have; she was self-involved but then he was constantly running with snot and she was only 16 for crying out loud. He let her drive--women in Sicily weren't allowed. Cars were forbidden to women. They were just married and Apo convinced him to let her stay with her parents for an extended period of time...more than Michael wanted. She didn't care if she was away from him, no mention that she would miss him, and didn't linger with him in bed on their last day. Michael noticed that because he was hoping she would. She doesnt. He consoled himself thinking it must be because she was making a special breakfast for them on their last day--yet he went down to the kitchen only to find his guard sitting at table eating. The movie doesnt show this. I wish it did but Mario doesnt expand on the feelings anyway. But here's the clue: In both book and film the guard in the kitchen perceptively volunteers "Apo will make a good "American" wife". (Think about that. All you who comment about her being the sicilian wife he needs so he can be the sicillian criminal) Anyway, like usual the servants aren't blind. So what were they seeing? People comment on how Apo would have been the submissive for Michael as opposed to independent Kay. Apo didnt have the benefits and free world upbringing Kay had yet Apo didn't listen to him. She was in the car when he told her not to. She readily snatched at liberties. It's interesting to me to think what America would have done for her in combination with being married to a man she was not gravitated to in the first place--big What if story--but Mario doesn't go there, it never happened. Mario doesn't offer words of their relationship to indicate in any way that the core parts of Michael would in time have been nurtured or satisfied by Apo. To say it wouldn't be necessary for him means that you need to dismiss Michael and who he is as a man and what he needs in the long game. Also you would need to argue that if his dreams were dead and the dreamer in him finally destroyed that he wouldn't be tormented...and even happy and content with the woman who shares his life while in this destructed state.
Christian Fann, Front Desk Agent at Saddlebrook Resorts (2017-present)
I LOVE this question.
The answer: Apollonia.
- Apollonia was from the old country. She was a traditional Italian girl. Michael would have gotten along better with someone that understood his history and who appreciated his old-school values, like Apollonia would have.
- Michael was more struck and enamored by Apollonia than he was with Kay. Apollonia was younger, less set in her ways, and more willing to “live and let live”. She would have questioned Michael less (if at all) about any of his business dealings. You see, vintage Italians come from a culture where it’s considered rude for women to question their fathers, brothers, husbands, etc.
- While Michael wanted to “make it in America,” he would have only made it so far with Kay. She was a Protestant girl from America and, while that may have given Michael some credence, it would have only been a matter of time before their relationship dissolved. Michael would have never truly disavowed his crime lifestyle; it was too enticing for him.
- Michael was fiery and emotional. Kay was fiery and emotional. Their personalities were too similar for it to work. Remember, after having enough of Michael’s family business, when Kay told Michael, “I aborted your son?” that set Michael off. Kay did that just to get his attention. Yes, she was scared and hurt. But she just wanted to hurt Michael. Apollonia, on the other hand, was quiet and submissive. Michael would have had an easier relationship with her as opposed to Kay.
- I am of the opinion that Michael would have wanted to move back to Sicily, the place of his birth. Apollonia was there. And I don’t think Kay would have ever wanted to leave New Hampshire to move across the ocean to a different continent (and culture).
Chintan Varma (चिंतन वर्मा), The Godfather has significantly affected my perception of criminals, even though at the end of the day, the...
It was always Apollonia whom Michael deeply loved. He was shattered by her killing. He had Apollonia's death avenged. He sent out men to kill Fabrizio at an apt time, later. Plus, Michael contacted Kay only when he felt need (more than a year after returning to NY from Sicily) to have a family. As noted in The Godfather Legacy documentary, Michael was not a lover while convincing Kay to marry him, he was just a businessman who 'dealed' subtly with Kay to convince her of his new responsibility. Apollonia's death had made him emotion - less enough. In the final scene of The Godfather - III, a montage shows him remembering Apollonia. Having said that, I don't deny that he was having a budding romance before the shooting of Vito Corleone incident and that when he grows old, he wants to have Kay accompany him.
James Rhett Kennedy, Movie Enthusiast
In my view, Michael loved Apollonia more than Kay but that opinion is not based on the intensity of his feelings for Apollonia compared with the respect and affection he held for Kay. Instead, I look at the effects that losing both of them had on Michael's life and the difference is clear. When Apollonia is killed, Michael decides that in order to protect the ones he loves, he must do what he had always sworn he would never do - become a true son to his father. Apollonia's murder, therefore, seals Michael's fate and he knows this and readily accepts the consequences to come (or, so he thinks at the time). On the other hand, when Kay leaves him, Michael pretty much remains what he is. He doesn't turn his back on the destiny he has chosen in an effort to keep her and doesn't really do much of anything to stop her from leaving. Just imagine what Michael would be willing to do if given the chance to save/keep Apollonia. Furthermore, if Michael and Apollonia had, for some strange reason, actually divorced, I can't see Michael ever allowing her to marry another man. But after Kay remarries, Michael apparently enjoys a semi-friendly relationship with her new husband. Michael clearly cares deeply for Kay but I think his love for Apollonia was all-consuming.
As for which is the better match for Michael, I think Apollonia is the obvious, correct answer. As a traditional Italian wife, Apollonia would not have questioned Michael's decisions as Kay did and I certainly can't imagine her ever leaving Michael, much less aborting his child.
As for which is the better match for Michael, I think Apollonia is the obvious, correct answer. As a traditional Italian wife, Apollonia would not have questioned Michael's decisions as Kay did and I certainly can't imagine her ever leaving Michael, much less aborting his child.
I of course have to say Apollonia
With Michael and Apollonia it was love at first sight, he was hit by the "thunder bolt"
- Michael was only in love with the idea of starting an american life with Kay, he wasn't truly in love with her
- Apollonia could have handled being a mob wife, she wouldn't have left Michael like Kay did. She would have been just like Michael's mother, a loving wife who didn't interfere in the business
- There was actually a deleted scene where Michael kills Fabrazio with a shot gun and in the novel he sends an assassin to kill him, so Michael does avenge her
- Apollonia accepted Micheal and respected him while Kay didn't respect him nor his family nor his culture
- Kay killed his unborn child (which provoked him to smack the living hell out of her)
- Michael and Kay's marriage turned out to be a total disaster that ended with Kay attempting to take away the kids and Michael slamming the door in her face
- Apollonia was a hundred times more beautiful than Kay
Mi Lesley, Reader, writer, lover of characters and their stories
Who did Michael love more? Kay. That love had time to mature and deepen even as their marriage ended in divorce, even as Kay remarried.
Apollonia is the passion of his youth, she's young, beautiful and devoted forever—she died young, leaving a good looking corpse—while Kay and Michael age and become... friends.
His love for Apollonia is hot, but his love for Kay is deep. She challenges him. And let's not forget, Kay is also the mother of his children.
However, I think Apollonia may have been better suited to him in his role as a mafioso. I think had Apollonia lived, Michael's edges would have softened. He might have been less paranoid, secure that no matter what, Apollonia would be devoted to him and their family.
One reason I think Michael can't separate work from family is that when he is with his family, he is always reminded by Kay's presence he should be getting out.
While married to Apollonia he would have assumed the mantle of responsibility without the threat of disappointing his wife, but knowing his wife respected him for being a good provider.
By accepting him as he is, rather than trying to nag him into being "better" father, husband and person, Apollonia might have actually made him a better father, husband and person in a way that Kay's disgust never could.
He loved both of them, but the book/movie shows different phases of love with Kay and Appolonia. When the book/movie started , he had already been in a long-term, stable and loving relationship with Kay, ( so the readers/viewers did not get the chance to see how they met and fell in love. With Appolonia we only get insight of an initial ‘butterflies in your stomach” phase of relationship/infatuation which is usually very passionate and intense. Had Appolonia lived long enough, this initial passion would have waned over time , evolving into less intense yet more mature and deep relationship that he had with Kay. It s hard to say who was better-suited for him in a long run, because Appolonia was still very young and her character wasn’t fully developed. She had lived her entire life sheltered and protected from the outside world by overprotective father and brothers. We don’t know what would have become of her if she had moved to the States with Michael. Faced with freedom and many new opprtunities and away from home, she could have been easily influenced by American lifestyle. We saw how eager she was to learn to drive and to adopt Amercan ways, which caused a rift with her traditional Sicilian family. Who knows, after years of living with Michael in the States, Appolonia could have been as fed up with his mafia life and and concerned about the safety of their children as Kay was.
Michael clearly loved Kay more and here are the reasons
-In a interview with Al Pacino they ask him, “"who does Michael love the most” and he says “kay, not only is Michael in love with Kay but he's also very fascinated by her and has a lot of respect for her” not in that order but he did say all of that
-She was his dream, to live in the freedom of the country and have their children grow up and be “"Lawyers, doctors or teachers”
-He begs her to marry him and not just because Applonia is dead but because he wants to marry her (in the book his explanation for wanting to marry her is like 3 pages long)
-in the book kay was the only person Michael listened too. we are givin’ many examples to the point where Kay says “"she knows shes the only person who can change his mind” and during this time Michael was taking over and nobody can go against what he wants.
-on his little trip to italy Michael admits he spent most of his time thinking about Kay and what she thought of him
-Even after Apoplonias dead in the book and movie Michael says he's very happy with Kay, (the book goes into so much detail)
-during the 2nd movie when he was fighting with Kay you can hear him saying “"I love you, your my wife” Like 3 times lol
I think some of you guys have forgotten the detail about Michael and Kay in the book. It's a whole different (and better) love story in the book. Let's not forget who protected Michael from the cops after he fled.
Gino Balcacer, I own a copy of all three movies in both VHS and DVD....capiche.
Other than marriage, there's no evidence of his love for Apollonia. She was hot and in Sicily at the time, messing around would be pretty messy. Plus, the girl couldn't even drive a car...love will only get you sofar. Now, Kay was his life long love and he married her even though his family members probably advised against it. Plus, she knew how to drive.
Walt Karas, Software Developer, https://github.com/wkaras
I don’t remember that the movie (or the book) made it clear who he loved more. Whether he married Apollonia because he preferred her, or he thought Kay was irretrievably lost to him. Since he chose to become more traditionally Sicilian (as the culture is presented in the movie), Apollonia would have been better suited for him had she lived.
He was in love with Kay, in lust with Apollonia. What he had with Kay was deep and mature. What he had with Apollonia was impulsive and possessive. It says so in Mario Puzos novel. Both relationships were doomed because with the death of Sonny, Michael was given no choice but to become the head of something he only had contempt for. This would have affected either relationship regardless of who he was with.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét