Gun dealer Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage) governs his bloodstained existence with many rules, but his mandate is “never get shot with your own merchandise.”

Unfortunately, this isn’t accomplished easily, especially since Orlov’s business fuels most of the world’s bloodiest conflicts and getting shot is a little more than an inconvenience since his lovely wife Ava (Bridget Moynahan) doesn’t know the truth of Orlov’s dealings.

“Lord of War” is an intelligent, humorous and unflinching trek through the war-torn world of international arms dealing. The film follows Orlov from his humble beginnings, using connections at a local synagogue to market Israeli uzis to his eventual rise as the third world’s premier gun runner.

Unfortunately, as the driven Interpol agent Jack Valentine (Ethan Hawke) closes in, Orlov soon finds out getting shot is the least of his troubles.

Tailing behind Orlov is his younger brother Vitaly (Jared Leto). Although brash and impulsive, Vitaly is loyal, brave and, most importantly, moral. But when a deal goes sour, Orlov finds his brother entangled in a heroin addiction. As Vitaly drifts in and out of rehab, Orlov begins to lose sight of his conscience. His booming business leads him to the company of the bloodthirsty Andre Baptiste Sr., warlord of Libya.

When a rehabilitated Vitaly comes face to face with Andre Sr. years later during a deal, Orlov finds himself in the middle of a full-blown crisis conflict. Here, Orlov must choose to pay a price for his business, either in blood or diamonds.

The problem with the film is, due to Orlov’s own philosophy, one wonders why the audience should even care about him. Orlov is not a bad man, as Cage’s performance does a good job of gaging sympathy for the role. Orlov seems genuinely appalled by what his customers do with his weapons. Yet while Orlov believes his guns defend people and rights, he blindly accepts no such responsibility for massacres and atrocities.

“Lord of War” is a thought-provoking look at mankind’s morbid fascination with the things that do the most harm. Orlov isn’t fascinated with killing or maiming, but he cannot deny his role in the world. The movie is not an action-packed intrigue, as the trailers suggest. Instead, “Lord of War” is a rich blend of satire and realism, exploring one man’s journey through the world of arms trafficking, and through his own conscience as well.