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Good stuff, thanks.
You're right, the characters are certainly not sloppy and dimwitted, like the Fargo characters. They showed resourcefulness. Moss was thoughtful, but in the end not thoughtful enough. None of the characters were smart enough to succeed.
The only thing with which I definitely disagree is your last sentence. Surely his desire for the money was what did Moss and his wife in. Please explain why you think otherwise.
Thanks again.
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A lot of people will miss this and I missed it the first time I read the book. This is a mild spoiler, so don't read this if you are planning on seeing the movie guys. <font color="white">When Moss takes the money and goes back to his wife no one knows about it. Neither the drug sellers, buyers, nor Chigurh have any idea that Moss took the money. The transponder only works at close range, and he might have been found later, but that is a big maybe. Moss goes back to the scene and has to abandon his truck to escape. His truck gives away his identity and seals his fate. Moss goes back the second time to bring water to the wounded Mexican. He tells his wife, "I'm fixin to do something dumber than hell, but I'm going to do it anyway." He can't leave the man to die. He just can't do it. This is what gets him into the mess. This is also how he is different than the sheriff. The book ends with the sheriff telling a story of leaving his men behind to die in the heat of battle. There is more to it than this, of course. But in my mind, the money isn't what gets Moss killed, it's the moral code that he follows that won't allow him to leave a man to die. </font>
I know you were expecting me to wax philosophical on why it's not about the money. But there is actually tangible evidence that it wasn't the money that got him into the mess. Of course it's just my opinion. I like talking about movies and books I enjoy, so keep asking away.
To your point about none of the characters being smart enough to survive. This is a hallmark of all tragedies. I'm an intelligent person myself and I enjoy tragedies because they are full of brilliant people, good and bad, who will never reach a happy ending. Just makes for great art.
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GTL,
(in white)
<font color="white">If Moss doesn't go back to give water to the dying Mexican, he never gets seen. However, there is still the transponder in the satchel. It is the fact that he goes back and gets seen that allows him to last as long as he does. Otherwise, Chigurh just shows up unexpected and blasts him and his wife to hell. </font>
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Possible spoikers **** (Don't read this thread unless you've seen the movie, obvi)
The transponder wouldn't work unless Anton gets close enough for it to pick up the signal. He doesn't get close enough for that unless he goes to the motel Moss is staying at. He doesn't find the motel unless he goes to Moss' place of residence and gets the phone records. He doesn't know where/who Moss is unless Moss drives back to give the mexican la agua.
Also:
I loved the movie, here's a semi-half-interesting movie with the Cohen brothers, Bardem and whoever played Moss
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=...h&plindex=0
(Charlie Rose makes a lot of mistakes in this)