Debbie Moon at 2012-07-02 17:31:07:
To get things started - here's how the coins are different. Chigurh's coin is all about randomness from the beginning. It's an ordinary coin that's made special by the role it plays - determining whether someone lives or does. Harvey's coin is special from the beginning; it's a symbol of his determination to control (for the best of reasons) what goes on in Gotham and in his life. He goes through the motions of making random decisions, but he knows the coin toss is fixed. Until the Joker shows him the "value" of true randomness - it's an abdication of responsibility, of control. Now Harvey not only doesn't have to control everything that happens, he can enjoy being 'out of control'. Actually, I'm not sure what I'm saying here! :) But there's something in there...
blknwite at 2012-07-02 18:33:34:
Its been a while since I saw the dark knight but Chigurh's use of the coin is almost worshipful in the sense he sees the universe as randomly cruel, a tenet of his spirituality if you could call it that. For Harvey Dent as was said by Debbie Moon its all about power, that is his own. He fixes the coin toss. Will need to watch again to pinpoint this better.
Brad Johnson at 2012-07-02 20:11:51:
I've always viewed Two-Face ( at least Nolan's version of him) on two levels. He uses the coin and embraces the chaos exemplified by the Joker - but in a way, he IS the coin for Joker. J even begins the experiment by putting Harvey's gun to his temple and letting fate decide whether he would live or die. After that, he sets Harvey loose - the Joker's own walking, talking coin - briniging chaos to the streets of Gotham.
Kenneth Kleemann at 2012-07-02 22:58:58:
Two-Face is using a 1929 quarter if I'm reading it right). Real silver. Not like the scrap metal coins I get stuck with. Talk about unfairness-- Chigurh is using a 1958 Quarter. Also real silver. But unlike Two-Face, he lets his adversary have a chance at winning the quarter. Granted, a bullet in the head vs a real silver quarter is a piss-poor wager, but it's better than the chances my screenplays have.
No country for Old Men (thoughts on America). | Politics, Statesmanship, Philosophy at 2012-07-17 12:00:00:
[...] Compare Chigurh [No Country For Old Men] and Harvey Dent [The Dark Knight] (gointothestory.blcklst.com) [...]