The Godfather: Fredo Corleone was possibly dealing with Second Son or Middle Child Syndrome

John Cazale Facts

John Cazale portrayed Frederico "Fredo" Corleone in the 1972 classic film The Godfather. He and Al Pacino were friends, which is how he got the role. On sites dedicated to the movie, most people say Fredo was weak. As I binge-watched the film thsi past weekend, I noticed something else about the character.

In my opinion, Fredo was sleazy and did not respect matrimony. He had seen his parents have a good marriage, and he seemed to love his sister-in-law, Kay Corleone (Diane Keaton). Still, when Michael Corleone (Pacino) went to Las Vegas, his older brother tried to set him up with women, but Michael told his older sibling to run everyone away.

Sonny Corleone (James Caan) cheated on his wife, Sandra Corleone (Julie Greg). Still, Michael seemed to be serious about marriage and appeared to be disgusted when Fredo took him to see Superman.

The older brother seemed to think that "Mikey" would love the show and kept looking at him as if seeking validation, but he did not get it. Moe Green ( Alex Rocco) said Fredo was "banging cocktail waitresses two at a time," and he had to straighten him out.

Why did Fredo need straightening out? Did he feel invisible in the shadow of Sonny, who was positioned to be Don and also his baby brother, who was a war hero?

Middle Child and Second Son Syndrome

Middle child syndrome is real, and so is being a second son. Both Prince Andrew and Prince Harry were considered the "Spare" to their older brothers, Prince Charles and Prince William, who were heirs to the kingdom.

They had to watch their firstborn siblings be pampered and prepared for the Crown, while they were not treated the same way. Harry was quite wild in his younger days and later became estranged from his family. He married Meghan Markle and has now walked away from Royal life.

Andrew dated soft porn star Koo Stark and has lost his royal titles due to accusations of SA through his connection with Jeffrey Epstein. COudl being the second son have caused these "prince's to go astray and not follow the rules of the House of Windsor?

When Michael said he would take care of Fredo, his older sibling became angry and pointed out that he was the elder brother. Fans of the film realized the second son did not have what it took to be a Don based on his reaction after his father was shot.

Fredo lacked the skills to be Don

Fredo did not seek the police or an ambulance to save his dad. Instead, he fell to the ground and cried as if all was lost. He was no help to the Don during a time of crisis, which is why he was sent to Las Vegas.

Frederico was trying to prove himself by making deals, and he caused Michael's home to be shot into. Everything he did seemed to backfire, leading to further problems.

When confronted about his actions, Fredo cried as he told Don Michael that he wanted something just for himself. He didn't follow the rule Don Vito had emphasized to Sonny, and Michael had reiterated to him. Never side with anyone else against the family. Was Fredo doomed to failure because of his birth placement? There is no way to know for certain.

The death of legendary John Cazale

John Cazale was an iconic actor who also had roles in Dog Day Afternoon and The Deer Hunter. He began dating actress Meryl Streep in 1977 and was diagnosed with lung cancer in the same year.

The diagnosis is believed to have been related to the actor's history of chain smoking. The cancer metastasized to his bones, and Cazale rapidly declined. He died on March 13, 1978, at the age of 42.

Israel Horovitz, a close friend, wrote a eulogy, published in The Village Voice on March 27, 1978. In part, he stated:

John Cazale happens once in a lifetime. He was an invention, a small perfection. It is no wonder his friends feel such anger upon waking from their sleep to discover that Cazale sleeps on with kings and counselors, with Booth and Kean, with Jimmy Dean, with Bernhardt, Guitry, and Duse, with Stanislavsky, with Groucho, Benny, and Allen. He will make fast friends in his new place. He is easy to love

The actor will forever be remembered for his role as Fredo Corleone in The Godfather and The Godfather II, even though the character is not popular.