Since time immemorial, movie villains have gone to great lengths for money. Whether it’s a heist, a kidnapping, a hijacking, or any other crime, money was the ultimate goal. In The Dark Knight (2008), The Joker changed that, with style.The Joker does not steal for money. He steals what the money stands for: the fragility of law and order. This single line from Christopher Nolan’s film crystallizes a character who functions at a level way beyond hunger and greed.Let’s try to understand what makes this line and this scene so iconic and how it changed our interpretation of the modern antagonist. Understanding The Line: Philosophy Over Greed“It’s not about the money. It’s about sending a message.”Delivered softly by Heath Ledger’s timeless and iconic Joker, this line defines his character in the most elaborate and matter-of-fact way possible. By lighting a fire to an enormous pile of cash in the background, the Joker explains his psychological motivations and disses the “typical criminal.”Ledger plays The Joker with a constant sense of unpredictability and madness. Chaos is a part of his DNA, and this can be seen with every word, every movement Ledger incorporates in his performance. This scene is a perfect example of Joker emphasizing philosophy over greed. The Joker is driven by the urge to create chaos and mayhem, not by the simplistic greed for money, which is what the “typical criminal” is after. His words raise the stakes astronomically because Gotham isn’t facing a predictable criminal; it is up against...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Today