Interleaved with this we get flashbacks to his father Vito's (Robert DeNiro) early life and adoption of a life of crime.
CW: domestic violence
Better than the first this is real historic cinema.
It's a serious, complicated story with little sensationalism and a lot of it is about deteriorating decision-making, broken families and regret. The breakup of Michael's marriage to Kay (Diane Keaton) gets little actual screen time but is key and at one point genuinely shocking for a movie of this era. It's not down to stereotypical over the top womanising, drunkenness and violence (Micheal is quite reserved in his personal habits) but his inability to keep a promise.
Did we need the flashbacks? Maybe not but the period detail is great and it serves as counterpoint with Vito rising as Michael falters.
One of the great bits of American cinema 9/10.