The Lost Highway: Lord of War
Posted by Mary Markham on 03.03.2006
You know who's going to inherit the world? Arms dealers. Because everyone else is too busy killing each other.
Greetings my fellow movie lovers. I will begin with another lame apology about the lack of weekly columns I am supposed to deliver. However all excuses aside I am still here and will deliver as often as is humanly possible.
I've rented quite a few movies this week. All of which were quite good. Jim Jarmusch's "Broken Flowers" (beautiful performances from all), "November" (indie film with Courtney Cox and ghost actor James Le Gros…okay movie, overdone plot line), "Mrs. Harris" (BRILLIANT) and finally "Lord of War". I loved the last two so much that I had a hard time deciding which to discuss but once again violence and corrupt behavior win over in my book.
I sincerely believe the fall of man was determined in 1836 when Samuel Colt developed his "revolver" the first patented gun introduced to the world. Actually the history of firearms dates all the way back to the 15th century but all were failed attempts at weaponry. It is no surprise then that men have dedicated their lives to the great arms race. "Lord of War" is a grim depiction of such ambitions.
We all live in a world where guns have always been prevalent. Killing machines that rest in the palms of the cowards who carry them. Revolutionaries, armies, gangs, government agencies, protective services, and of course individuals. Mainly men who mirror society becoming apathetic and preferring instant gratification without getting blood on their hands. It's bullshit. I suppose what's even further disgusting are the death dealers themselves, mercenary freelancers who peddle their wares to third world countries and into the hands of the poorest of men, women and yes, children. And adding insult to injury the powers that be, the biggest arms dealers of them all, hire these lone wolves making sure their own fingerprints don't touch the sale.
The movie opens with a distressing statement from Nicolas Cage who plays Yuri Orlov, arms dealer extraordinaire. "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 opening credits then follow a single bullet from its birth on the assembly line to the journey it takes to finally pierce the head of a small African boy.
The son of Russian immigrants who settled in Little Odessa (Brooklyn) Yuri decides the predetermined restaurant business is not for him. With Russian mobsters flooding the local streets with bullets, Yuri realizes that there is money to be made in all this death. He then begins a 20 year career as an arms dealer to leaders of the world. As many gifted individuals who apply themselves usually come to find out that they are really good at what they do. As is Yuri. The movie tracks his lucrative career and the trail of blood and death that seem to follow him. His over zealous lust for his job begins to isolate him from those he loves as he loses sight of tangible attachments with his family. In order to remain at the top of his game, Yuri has successfully learned to disassociate himself from humanity.
The movie's ability to deliver on all levels are due to the excellent cast which includes a consistent scene stealing performance from Jared Leto as Yuri's younger more sensitive brother, Vitaly. As well as solid acting from the innately gifted Ian Holm. The supporting cast is strong as well with a surprisingly good Bridget Moynahan and a truly sinister performance from Eamonn Walker as Andre Baptiste, the West African dictator of Liberia. And yes, even Ethan Hawke as militant Interpol agent, Jack Valentine is good.
The closing credits claim that the story is based on actual events. Some say that the fictional Yuri Orlov is loosely based on Viktor Anatolyevich Bout, a Russian arms dealer and former KGB officer. He is nicknamed the "Merchant of Death". "Bout came to officials' attention in the 1990s, when he was accused of supplying arms to rebels in West Africa after a cease fire agreement had been brokered. At that time he owned or was using many airlines, including Air Cess and Centrafrican, which were later forced to shut down by the authorities. He was also the official arms supplier to the deposed regime of Charles Taylor in Liberia." – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Interestingly enough, although "Lord of War" has the auspices of a big Hollywood movie, there is no American money attached. New Zealand born director, Andrew Niccol said no American company would go near it. "Since the film does not shy away from stating the facts about the role of the US in supplying arms, it was considered too controversial." The $US 50 million ($67 million) budget was raised mostly in Europe, by French producer Philippe Rousselet.
The movie left me feeling sad, frustrated, helpless and disgusted. Disgusted and disappointed at the obvious Lord of War: Capitalism. I realize this should come as no surprise in the 21st century but the movie paints the glaringly obvious picture of its reality. The final statements during the ending credits were the most disturbing to me:
The US, UK, China, Russia and Europe are the 5 largest arms dealers in the world. They also hold the 5 permanent seats on UN Council.
"They say evil prevails when good men do nothing," Cage drawls on the narration. "What they should have said is, evil prevails."
