Only Cage can make Yuri not hated in "Lord of War"

Rating: 10/10 (27 March 2006)

I 100% agree with those who believe that only Nicholas Cage is the only actor who can make us not-hating Yuri and even feel sympathy for him. Though a gun-seller who earns, let's say his living and not his millions, out of death selling, Cage convinced us that he is trading in no more than a double-faced merchandise. As he says arms can be killing no more, if not less than, cigarettes or cars can. Both kill if used heavily, rashly, or badly. The privilege in his merchandise, arms, is that it has a safety tool that hinders the trigger while cigarettes, cars, and alcoholics do not have similar security tool !! I am convinced with his logic or even his justification.
The feeling for admiration and sympathy did not faint from me, at lest, for Yuri till the end of the movie. Though he is selling death with a cold blooded heart I have never missed tenderness in his eyes and acts with his wife and kid and more strongly with his brother. I believe that Cage deserves to win the Oscar for his marvellous performance in the scene when his dear brother, who was felt as a son to him, was brutally shot by the very weapons he is barging. The way he tried to save him, the strained tears in his angry eyes, and the way he continued dealing with the killers of his brother are all fertile lessons for any acting learner or fan.
Any other actor may act the character of Yuri; however, it will, definitely, end by hating Yuri and his death-business. Cage made us rethink more than once in the whole philosophy of gun-market and its inevitable necessity without losing our sympathy and admiration for Yuri/Cage.
The narrative voice of Cage all over the proceedings of the film, sorry for using "proceedings" as I work in the Law field, made a homey human background that lessened some violent scenes. Though some Cinema watcher may not like it; I find it indispensable as many sciences and behaviors can never be felt and understood if it is removed. It was like an echo or mirror of Yuri's deep conscience which he wishes and pretends not to have though it is still lurking and paralleling his actual conduct. I felt the same with the narrative voice in "National Treasure" as the voice only, even without his appearance embodies and recalls visions and feelings not written in the script.
I can not end without respecting the daring implications and condemnation conveyed to Machiavelli political attitudes in the US and in the third world.
Good work Cage and all movie Crew who entertained us courteously, thank you all. Shireen Abbass Shoshoshow13@hotmail.com