In the crime-comedy film War Dogs (2016), we follow the chaotic journey of David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli as they dive headfirst into the murky world of arms dealing. The movie, directed by Todd Phillips, is rife with twists and turns that pivot around friendship, moral dilemmas, and the ambiguities of a profit-driven war economy.
The story begins in 2005 with David Packouz, a 22-year-old licensed massage therapist in Miami. Disillusioned with his current predicament of rubbing shoulders—or rather, bodies—with old rich men, David dreams of a more prosperous future. After dropping out of college and battling multiple job terminations, he discovers that even his business venture of reselling quality bedsheets to retirement homes has fallen flat.
His mundane existence takes a dramatic turn when he reunites with his old school friend Efraim Diveroli at a funeral. Efraim's life had been far more adventurous; he's been working in arms dealing, recently breaking free from a partnership gone sour with his uncle. The chance encounter draws David into Efraim's world of gun-running and military contracts.
Efraim is immediately captivating, especially when he exhibits a reckless side by brandishing a machine gun. His audacity and confidence strike a chord with David, who longs for a change from his stagnant life. When David learns about Efraim's business, AEY, he is initially hesitant to join, particularly given his and his wife Iz's anti-war sentiments. However, faced with the prospect of fatherhood after discovering Iz is pregnant, he is enticed by Efraim’s pitch to sell arms to the U.S. government—money with a touch of compunction.
As David immerses himself in the arms business, he starts uncovering the intricacies of military contracts and the significant profits hidden within seemingly minor deals. Along the way, he discovers the unsavory reality of being a "war dog," profiting from global conflicts without ever setting foot on the battlefield.
The Rise to Power
Their operation begins to flourish, leading to lucrative contracts that allow them to indulge in lavish purchases like matching Porsches and upscale apartments. However, as their wealth grows, so does the tension. David's relationship with Iz suffers as she begins to uncover the truth about his business dealings.
Their breaking point comes when complications arise with a contract for Beretta pistols meant for the Iraqi Police, leading David and Efraim on a harrowing journey to navigate customs and safety in the Middle East. This venture solidifies their reputation but also unravels the fragility of their business relationship.
A Dangerous Game
As the duo seeks larger contracts, they encounter various arms dealers, each more dubious than the last, including the notorious Henry Girard, who offers cheap weapons from Albania. Despite setbacks and intense pressure, David and Efraim push forward, employing unethical practices like repackaging illegal ammunition to satisfy U.S. military bids.
Their choices lead them to a moral crossroads. David struggles with the ramifications of his decisions, especially after Iz leaves him due to his continued deceit. His growing concern for his family's safety compounds the pressures of their illegal dealings.
The Downfall
The eventual downfall of their burgeoning empire comes crashing down when David discovers that their Chinese ammo is illegal due to a U.S. embargo. The subsequent attempt to cover their tracks leads to dangerous entanglements, including kidnappings and threats from veterans of the arms trade.
As tension mounts, both men find themselves at odds. A betrayal occurs when Efraim takes David's signed partnership agreement, leading to a dramatic confrontation that tears their partnership apart.
The consequences of their choices manifest when Enver, a local contact who helped with their operations, spills the beans to the Pentagon. A federal investigation ensues, culminating in David and Efraim's arrest at the hands of the FBI. The fallout is staggering, with Efraim facing years behind bars while David receives a sentence of house arrest.
Conclusion
War Dogs is more than just a darkly comic retelling of real events; it serves as a reflection on the lengths people will go to chase the American dream, even when it is steeped in moral ambiguity. David Packouz returns to his humble life as a massage therapist after his ordeal, and in his reencounter with Henry Girard, the agonizing recognition of their past dealings brings the story full circle.
The film highlights the absurdity and dangers of a world where profits supersede ethical boundaries, ultimately delivering a cautionary tale about the consequences of ambition, friendship, and greed.
Part 1/8:
War Dogs: A Wild Ride Through Arms Dealing
Introduction
In the crime-comedy film War Dogs (2016), we follow the chaotic journey of David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli as they dive headfirst into the murky world of arms dealing. The movie, directed by Todd Phillips, is rife with twists and turns that pivot around friendship, moral dilemmas, and the ambiguities of a profit-driven war economy.
The Struggling Mass Therapist
Part 2/8:
The story begins in 2005 with David Packouz, a 22-year-old licensed massage therapist in Miami. Disillusioned with his current predicament of rubbing shoulders—or rather, bodies—with old rich men, David dreams of a more prosperous future. After dropping out of college and battling multiple job terminations, he discovers that even his business venture of reselling quality bedsheets to retirement homes has fallen flat.
His mundane existence takes a dramatic turn when he reunites with his old school friend Efraim Diveroli at a funeral. Efraim's life had been far more adventurous; he's been working in arms dealing, recently breaking free from a partnership gone sour with his uncle. The chance encounter draws David into Efraim's world of gun-running and military contracts.
Part 3/8:
From Friends to Business Partners
Efraim is immediately captivating, especially when he exhibits a reckless side by brandishing a machine gun. His audacity and confidence strike a chord with David, who longs for a change from his stagnant life. When David learns about Efraim's business, AEY, he is initially hesitant to join, particularly given his and his wife Iz's anti-war sentiments. However, faced with the prospect of fatherhood after discovering Iz is pregnant, he is enticed by Efraim’s pitch to sell arms to the U.S. government—money with a touch of compunction.
Part 4/8:
As David immerses himself in the arms business, he starts uncovering the intricacies of military contracts and the significant profits hidden within seemingly minor deals. Along the way, he discovers the unsavory reality of being a "war dog," profiting from global conflicts without ever setting foot on the battlefield.
The Rise to Power
Their operation begins to flourish, leading to lucrative contracts that allow them to indulge in lavish purchases like matching Porsches and upscale apartments. However, as their wealth grows, so does the tension. David's relationship with Iz suffers as she begins to uncover the truth about his business dealings.
Part 5/8:
Their breaking point comes when complications arise with a contract for Beretta pistols meant for the Iraqi Police, leading David and Efraim on a harrowing journey to navigate customs and safety in the Middle East. This venture solidifies their reputation but also unravels the fragility of their business relationship.
A Dangerous Game
As the duo seeks larger contracts, they encounter various arms dealers, each more dubious than the last, including the notorious Henry Girard, who offers cheap weapons from Albania. Despite setbacks and intense pressure, David and Efraim push forward, employing unethical practices like repackaging illegal ammunition to satisfy U.S. military bids.
Part 6/8:
Their choices lead them to a moral crossroads. David struggles with the ramifications of his decisions, especially after Iz leaves him due to his continued deceit. His growing concern for his family's safety compounds the pressures of their illegal dealings.
The Downfall
The eventual downfall of their burgeoning empire comes crashing down when David discovers that their Chinese ammo is illegal due to a U.S. embargo. The subsequent attempt to cover their tracks leads to dangerous entanglements, including kidnappings and threats from veterans of the arms trade.
As tension mounts, both men find themselves at odds. A betrayal occurs when Efraim takes David's signed partnership agreement, leading to a dramatic confrontation that tears their partnership apart.
The Legal Reckoning
Part 7/8:
The consequences of their choices manifest when Enver, a local contact who helped with their operations, spills the beans to the Pentagon. A federal investigation ensues, culminating in David and Efraim's arrest at the hands of the FBI. The fallout is staggering, with Efraim facing years behind bars while David receives a sentence of house arrest.
Conclusion
War Dogs is more than just a darkly comic retelling of real events; it serves as a reflection on the lengths people will go to chase the American dream, even when it is steeped in moral ambiguity. David Packouz returns to his humble life as a massage therapist after his ordeal, and in his reencounter with Henry Girard, the agonizing recognition of their past dealings brings the story full circle.
Part 8/8:
The film highlights the absurdity and dangers of a world where profits supersede ethical boundaries, ultimately delivering a cautionary tale about the consequences of ambition, friendship, and greed.