This movie is misunderstood. I loved it!!! A man that loved his family greatly and just wanted to protect them. Remember, he joined his father because he was in danger and needed to provide his wit and education to save him and his family. All Michale wanted was to go legit, but the higher he went, the more corrupt he found it to be. He desired redemption, but the price he has to pay was the loss of his daughter and the women he loved. This was punishment for his acts. He lived much longer to reflect what he has lost, but I believe, in the end, he redeemed himself and learned the lesson. As he stated, the older he gets, the wiser he becomes.