Lord of War 2005

As the curtain opens on “Leverage,” we are introduced to Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage), a Ukrainian-American arms dealer whose voice-over narration sets the tone for a gritty exploration of the global gun trade. With over 550 million firearms in circulation worldwide, Yuri poses the philosophical question: how do we arm the other eleven? As the opening credits unfold, a poignant montage set to the haunting melody of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” takes us on a journey with a single 7.62×39mm bullet, from its manufacture in a Soviet Union weapons factory to its devastating impact in an African war zone.

In the early 1980s, Yuri finds himself at a crossroads, inspired by a chance encounter at a Brighton Beach restaurant where a Russian mobster dispatches two would-be assassins with ruthless efficiency. This brutal display of violence serves as a catalyst for Yuri’s entry into the world of arms dealing, an endeavor he rationalizes as akin to providing sustenance for humanity. At his father’s synagogue, Yuri forges a connection with an Israeli operative, securing an illegal Uzi and embarking on a new path that will ultimately distance him from his family’s restaurant business.

As the Lebanon War erupts in 1982, Yuri seizes the opportunity to establish himself as a major player in the global arms market. Despite witnessing atrocity after atrocity, he remains undeterred, leveraging his position to supply weapons to all sides of the conflict. This calculated decision sets him on a collision course with Interpol’s idealistic agent Jack Valentine (Ethan Hawke), who is driven by a desire for glory rather than financial gain.

The stakes are raised when Yuri’s business dealings in Colombia go awry, resulting in a violent confrontation with a drug lord who settles their accounts with six kilos of cocaine instead of cash. The exchange proves to be a turning point, as Vitaly (Jared Leto), Yuri’s brother and partner, becomes increasingly dependent on the drugs they’ve acquired. As Vitaly’s addiction spirals out of control, Yuri is forced to stage an intervention, ultimately checking his brother into rehab.

Meanwhile, Yuri’s personal life takes a dramatic turn when he reunites with childhood crush Ava Fontaine (Bridget Moynahan), luring her into a false photo shoot that ultimately leads to their marriage. Together, they welcome the arrival of their son, Nikolai (Nicky). As the years pass, Yuri finds himself increasingly isolated, his relationships strained by the moral ambiguities inherent in his chosen profession. With Valentine closing in, Yuri must confront the consequences of his choices and the true cost of his leverage in a world where the value of human life is constantly being redefined.

As the Soviet Union crumbles, Yuri seizes an opportunity for personal and professional growth. With Mikhail Gorbachev’s departure on Christmas Day 1991, Yuri travels to Ukraine, leveraging his uncle’s connections as a former Soviet General to procure tanks and weaponry. This illicit activity sets him up for a lucrative venture in Africa, where he catches the attention of Andre Baptiste Sr. (Eamonn Walker), a ruthless Liberian dictator waging a seemingly endless civil war.

During one fateful flight into the heart of Africa, Yuri’s cargo plane is intercepted by Jack Valentine and Interpol, forcing him to make an emergency landing outside a nearby city. With Valentine hot on his heels, Yuri cleverly offloads the weapons to local authorities, ensuring they’re not found on the plane when the authorities arrive. However, this temporary reprieve from law enforcement is short-lived.

Back in the United States, Valentine’s surveillance of Yuri continues unabated. Unable to bring charges against him, Valentine turns to Ava and reveals his suspicions about Yuri being an arms dealer, prompting her to confront him and demand he cease his illegal activities. Initially agreeing to comply, Yuri is soon lured back into the world of arms trading by Andre Baptiste Sr.’s irresistible offers.

Yuri’s next move takes him to Africa, where a militia force aligned with Andre Baptiste Sr. is preparing to destroy a refugee camp. Witnessing the brutal slaughter of an escaping mother and child at the hands of machete-wielding militiamen, Vitaly pleads with Yuri to abandon the deal and spare innocent lives. However, Yuri refuses to back down, knowing that doing so would only lead to the Orlov brothers’ demise alongside the refugees.

In a desperate bid to protect his family and the fleeing civilians, Vitaly resorts to stealing grenades and destroying one of the trucks carrying the weapons being sold. Before he can reach the second truck, RUF soldiers cut him down with gunfire. As Vitaly lies dying, Yuri rushes to his side, restoring a grenade pin and hurling an inactivated grenade at one of the killers responsible for his brother’s demise.

The reduced payment for the remaining weapons serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of Yuri’s actions, as well as the unyielding power dynamics that govern this treacherous world.

As Ava’s curiosity gets the better of her, she accompanies Yuri to his hidden cache of supplies, a makeshift arsenal nestled in a nondescript shipping container. With Nick by their side, they escape the consequences of Yuri’s deceit, but at a steep cost: his parents turn their backs on him, shattering any lingering sense of family unity. Meanwhile, the U.S. Customs investigation into Vitaly’s demise uncovers a bullet-ridden corpse, leading Valentine to apprehend Yuri and place him behind bars. But this is no ordinary prisoner - Yuri has an uncanny ability to anticipate his release, predicting with eerie accuracy that a knock at the door will signal his freedom, albeit as a “necessary evil” in the world of arms dealing. This calculated move allows him to distribute weapons on a large scale, all while avoiding any direct involvement by major governments. Despite the personal toll of his losses and the harsh reality of his profession, Yuri returns to his illicit trade with a mixture of resignation and resignation. As he so astutely observes, “Arms dealers are most likely to inherit the world one day - because everyone else is too busy killing each other.” His parting words to the audience serve as a poignant reminder: “Never go to war, especially not with yourself.”

In a telling postscript that scrolls across the screen, the stark reality of global arms dealing becomes apparent. While private dealers like Yuri may conduct some business, the true extent of the trade lies in the hands of the five largest arms exporters - the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, France, and China - who happen to be the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. This sobering truth underscores the scope and complexity of global conflict, leaving viewers with a lasting sense of unease.