Apr 15, 2006 08:49 AM
1668 Views
(Updated Apr 15, 2006 08:55 AM)
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?
The bullet is made in the factory. It is sold to the army (Russian, I think). Who in turn sell it to an African war-zone. And an african shoots the bullet right on the forehead of an innocent kid. Thats how the movie starts.
The Lord of War (actual word warlord, but I prefer it my way) is a brilliant movie depicting how an immigrant from Ukraine starts, and goes on to become one of the biggest gun runners in the world. Not including the US, UK, France, China and Russia of course, as the movie points out.
An arms' dealer Yuri Orlov (Nicholas Cage, perfect as usual) wants it all. Money, money, money, money, and a trophy wife, after whom he has lusted since he was 10. Very good at what he does, Orlov manages to stay above the law, even though he is watched on continuously it seems, by an Interpol agent Jack Valentine (Ethan Hawke, also very good performance). He finally gets caught. But the man is so well protected that a high ranking and decorated General of the US army comes and lets him go, and also pays him for the trouble caused by him getting caught.. He goes on with his life, selling more guns all over the world. Why is he let go?
''The reason I'll be released is the same reason you think I'll be convicted. I do rub shoulders with some of the most vile, sadistic men calling themselves leaders today. But some of these men are the enemies of your enemies. And while the biggest arms dealer in the world is your boss--the President of the United States, who ships more merchandise in a day than I do in a year--sometimes it's embarrassing to have his fingerprints on the guns. Sometimes he needs a freelancer like me to supply forces he can't be seen supplying. So. You call me evil, but unfortunately for you, I'm a necessary evil.''
This is a true story.
Hollywood at its best.
ps: the soundtrack also features the theme from the movie Bombay, composed by AR Rehman.
