Lord Of War (2005)

The Tag-Line says "Where there's a will there's a weapon" and Yuri Orlov is the man with the will, the way, and the weapons!  Originally from Ukraine, Yuri is the son of Russian immigrant parents who run a restaurant in the Little Odessa neighbourhood of Brooklyn.

Yuri realises that the family restaurant business isn't going to make him rich so he starts smuggling guns. Starting out very much as an amateur he soon starts to moves on, and with the help of his brother his arm deals become bigger and more profitable.

The end of the Cold War opens up huge stock piles of weapons from former Soviet states which are stolen to supply other nations particularly in Africa. Yuri's deals become more brazen, dangerous, but always profitable, as he travels to different war zones around the world.

This film, especially at the start, contains a lot of wit and very dark humour.  Yuri introduces the film with a short narrative by saying "There are over 550 million firearms in worldwide circulation. That's one firearm for every twelve people on the planet. The only question is: How do we arm the other 11?" Another part shows Yuri complaining when he reads in the papers about Peace Talks and he says "but the guns are on the way!" The second half of the film becomes somewhat darker and unsettling.

Lord of War is a brave attempt to highlight the problem of the global arms trade. Apparently in the Ukraine alone between 1982 and 1992 over $32 billion in arms were stolen. The film also highlights the fact that a 'blind eye' is sometimes turned, by the larger nations, to the weapons-trade when it suits. It's a thought provoking film that will unsettle most viewers and the final message that appears on the screen at the end of the film is chilling.

Nicolas Cage gives a good performance as does Ethan Hawke an Interpol Agent who is trying to build a case against Yuri.

Jared Leto plays Yuri's brother Vitaly and Bridget Moynahan plays Yuri's wife Ava Fontaine. Ian Holm plays experienced gun dealer, Simeon Weisz, who dismisses Yuri as an amateur but later see him as a rival.

Lasting Thought: They say that "evil prevails when good men fail to act". It should just be "evil prevails".

Bottom Line: With its dark humour and portrayal of war this film wouldn't be considered 'main-stream'.  It is perhaps a little heavy handed but is nonetheless a thought provoking film which I would recommend. Just don't expect to leave the cinema whistling merrily to yourself!

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

RELATED MOVIE REVIEWS:

NICOLAS CAGE: Adaptation,  Captain Corelli's Mandolin,  The Family Man,  Gone in 60 Seconds,  Matchstick Men,  National Treasure.

ETHAN HAWKE: Taking Lives.

BRIDGET MOYNAHAN: Coyote Ugly,  The Recruit,  The Sum Of All Fears,  I, Robot.

JARED LETO: Alexander

IAN HOLM: The Lord Of The Rings - The Fellowship Of The Ring,  The Day After Tomorrow,  The Aviator.

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Genre: Action/Drama

Director: Andrew Niccol

Certificate: Lord Of War was rated 16 by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. Only suitable for persons of sixteen years of age or older. Violence = strong. Drugs = strong. Sex/Nudity = moderate. Language = strong.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: Lord Of War

~ Main Cast ~

Nicolas Cage, Ethan Hawke, Bridget Moynahan, Jared Leto, Ian Holm