Why did Virgil Sollozzo try to fool Micheal by making him think they were going to Jersey?
In The Godfather part 1 where Micheal sets up a meeting with Virgil Sollozzo and the police officer just after the attempted murder on Vito Corleone, when they are on the way to the restaurant the driver makes his way to New Jersey as can be seen on the signage.
Then Micheal anxiously asks 'we're going to Jersey?', then the driver quickly spins the car around going back to the original destination and Virgil Sollozzo pats the driver on the back and says 'nice work Lou'.
What is the purpose behind Sollozzo planning this? Did he simply want to see if he was being followed Micheal's men? I never quite understood that segment.
Best Answer
Did he simply want to see if he was being followed Micheal's men?
Exactly
They are just both checking to see if they are being followed and making an abrupt reversal of direction to ensure that if they are being followed, that they shake the tail.
The novel confirms...
The heavy automobile jumped into the air when it hit the divider and bounced over into the lanes going back to New York City. Both McCluskey and Sollozzo were looking back to see if anyone had tried doing the same thing. The driver was really hitting it back to New York and then they were off the bridge and going toward the East Bronx. They went through the side streets with no cars behind them. By this time it was nearly nine o’clock. They had made sure there was no one on their tail. Sollozzo lit up a cigarette after offering his pack to McCluskey and Michael, both of whom refused. Sollozzo said to the driver, “Nice work. I’ll remember it.”
The Godfather - Mario Puzo
As does the Script
SOLLOZZO checks to see the cars that had been following, and then leans to the DRIVER. SOLLOZZO Nice work; I'll remember it.
Pictures about "Why did Virgil Sollozzo try to fool Micheal by making him think they were going to Jersey?"
What was Sollozzo saying to Michael?
Sollozzo : [to Michael, in Sicilian] I am sorry. What happened to your father was business. I have much respect for your father. But your father, his thinking is old-fashioned.What did Sollozzo do in The Godfather?
He also secretly had the support of Don Barzini, who assisted him in his business, and was the mastermind behind his scheme to dominate the narcotics business. He then went to the Corleone family to obtain money and protection from the police and courts.Why does Michael shoot Sollozzo and McCluskey?
They've discovered that McCluskey is guarding Sollozzo, making him invulnerable. If they take him down, they need to take down both. Michael and Clemenza are both in favor of killing Sollozzo and McCluskey, even though he's a cop. Michael personally offers to do it, since Sollozzo and McCluskey want to meet with him.What was Sollozzo saying in Italian?
Here is a translation of what they say in Italian: Sollozzo: I'm sorry. Michael: Leave it alone. ( or ) Forget about it.Michael was testing Sollozzo
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Ketut Subiyanto, Ketut Subiyanto, Ketut Subiyanto, Liza Summer