Lord of War

Tom's Recommended Film of the Week

Normally Arms Dealing would not be a subject I'd persue in a film, but my son seemed anxcious to view Lord of War, so I picked up a used copy for him. Eventually I borrowed it back to watch myself and found it to be an impressive bit of work. Written and directed by Andrew Niccol, who worked on The Truman Show and The Terminal and starring Nicolas Cage, Ethan Hawke, Jared Leto, Ian Holm and Eamonn Walker as Andre Baptiste Sr., this film has a broad perspective and tells a grand story with business and moral alternatives laid flat out on the table. There is gruesome violence, in fact the subject of Lord of War is violence and human nature. But I recommend the viewer watch characters reactions to the violence they see and become complicant in, as the real story lies there. Overall this film moves quickly and plays like an action adventure film, but it's social conscience is clear for all to see. An impressive film with lots of depth, plus an entertaining two hours. Just the sort of thing I've come to expect from select Lions Gate Films.