i was never a big fan of kay in any of the godfather films. i think that, not only was she poorly played by diane keaton, but the character herself was not appealing to me

Interesting, Do you happen to think she is a spoiled brat?

Lol, oh God, here we go again....

Her character represented pureness throughout the franchise and I thought she was a good character to have and diane keaton played the role very well.

I liked Kay and I though diane keaton did a good job there.

I think Diane Keaton did a fine job bringing the character to life. I dont like Kay, but I dont not like her either. She needed to be there, to bring the nagging wife element to the movie.

Kay was what she was and I respect your opinion Neo. I would have to disagree wtih you on her portrayal of the role. I think she did do a great job at it as well, she injected a whole lot of depth and emotion into the character and contrasted to the more onesided character that was present in the novel, she really belied that limitation and expanded brilliantly and bravely on it.

Most mafia wives nag and thats what Kay did always asking questions, really annoying. I believe DIane Keaton played the part well. Especially when she tells Michael about the abortion.

Most mafia wives nag? Now I'm not a mafioso, but I'm pretty sure they go along with thier husbands business. From all the accounts I've read, they seem to be more like Carmella.

I'm with you on this one. I never liked Kay in the first place. Diane Keaton's acting was not great, but it was tolerable, I suppose. I just felt like slapping her during the whole scene where she reveals to Michael that she had an abortion.

"...because of this Sicilian thin-GUH..."

God, I hate the way she says that line..

Well whether Kay is annoying or not is simply a subjective question. I think Kay however was perhaps one of the wisest or at least the most sensible characters, because she really was right about crime taking a big bit out of the family in the end.

I always pity those who fail to appreciate either the character of Kay, Keaton's portrayal, or BOTH.

The character was as necessary to the story as Tom was...how much less interesting the dynamics would be had Michael ended up with an Italian wife!!

And Diane Keaton brings a depth to Kay that few actresses of the time could have accomplished. As is usually the case with good acting...she made it look easy.

Meryl Streep may have been one of the few others up to the job but this was several years prior to her emergence as a film actress.

Apple

F--- Annie Hall!!! Diane Keaton will always be Kay Adams-Corloene!!!

She ruled in that role!

Michael: "YOU WON'T TAKE MY CHILDREN!!!"
Kay: "I WILL!"

I love how Keaton delivered that line. In the face of a beating, she stood adimant to Michael.

Much props to Kay!

Diane Keaton was excellent as Kay Corleone. I cant imagine anyone else playing it but her. In the book, im wondering, what did it say about the events in her life after the separation /and or divorce? Who actually raised them? Im assuming it was Michael, n'est-ce pas?

Aside from the early Vito Corleone days, nothing depicted in GFII is covered in the novel. All of that was an original story for the sequel to The Godfather.

Anyway, it's apparent from Kay's final scene that the children are indeed raised by Michael...with the help of his sister Connie and the nanny who is seen waiting when Kay is saying goodbye to the children.

Until GFIII came alone, there was no indication as to what Kay's life was like after she left Michael.

Apple

GFIII


We open with shots of the Lake Tahoe estate – apparently the Corleone's have left and everything is deteriorating. We come to a shot of New York with the Text Over reading: NEW YORK CITY, 1979. We hear Michael Corleone speaking…>

MICHAEL (OS)

"My dear children. It is now better than several years since I moved to New York, and I haven't seen you as much as I would like to. I hope you will come to this ceremony of Papal Honors, given for my charitable work. The only wealth in this world is children, more than all the money and power on Earth. You are my treasure. Anthony and Mary, although I entrusted your education to your mother for your own best interests, you know how I look forward to seeing you, and to a new period of harmony in our lives…"

fathersson, not sure what you're getting at by quoting Michael's letter at the opening of GFIII.

When it's stated he entrusted the children's 'education' to Kay...I always took that to mean their college educations.

Doesn't necessarily mean he allowed her to raise them. Even with the completely unrealistic premise that they eventually reconciled, that would probably not have happened for years, probably not until the children were well into their teens.

Best,
Apple

Not sure if the topic of not liking Kay/Dianne Keaton is old but I feel the same way. This is what I don't get - when Michael first sees Appolonia, he's in awe right away, they say struck by a tunderbolt - but with Kay I never saw the "awe" of adoring her, except for the first communion party when they were dancing at night time - that was romantic and he seemed to love her but nothing like "awe". With me personally, it felt like he adored Appolonia, he smiled and laughed more and with Kay not so much - but maybe it had to do with his role as Don when he was with Kay? Or maybe it just bugged me because Michael/Pacino is too hot and yummy with his big brown eyes for boring beige Kay?

1971 - "The last time Michael sees Kay" [where?]; Michael moves back to New York

1979 - Michael's papal honors; Immobiliare proposal headlines, Nov 15

Geoff website

Of course by the time Michael and Kay's characters enter the scene at Connie's wedding in The Godfather...they have already been dating and are about to announce their engagement. Unlike the meeting with Appolonia, we are not privvy to Michael's reaction when he first laid eyes on Kay.

In the novel is Michael & Kay's first meeting ever described to the reader?

Also, in their early scenes in The Godfather...right up to the moment they discover Vito has been shot...they most certainly are an 'adoring' couple toward one another.

Apple

Apple you have a point - Kay and Michael were very cute and cozy before Vito was shot.
Good Point!