Originally posted by AppleOnYa:
[
In terms of the films, I think the Family and then Michael...did with Fredo what they could. He had to have some kind've inclusion in 'the Business'...otherwise he would not have been sitting in on the meeting with Solozo. I suppose it would've been after Vito's shooting that they came to figure him as a lost cause in terms of anything important. Off to Vegas...
Apple
Very insightful observation, Apple. And, as you know, the novel is even more explicit. Very early on, Puzo writes that Fredo was not expected to succeed his father because (I believe, not having the novel in front of me) he lacked "force." After his (apparent) nervous breakdown following Vito's shooting, someone suggests Fredo be included in the planning for revenge. But then Tom (or Sonny, I forget) says, "Leave him out of this, leave him out of
everything" [emphasis added]. He certainly was.
