Stoners become arms dealers in ‘War Dogs,’ a fascinating tale

What It's About: A jaw-dropping stunner of a how-did-this-happen cautionary tale, "War Dogs" humorously chronicles how two pothead BFFs profited from selling weapons to the U.S. military.

One of the most outrageous schemes during the War on Terror, this rooted in reality comic-drama is based on the Rolling Stone magazine article, "Arms and the Dudes" by Guy Lawson.

Around 2005, small businesses were allowed to bid on Department of Defense contracts, along with the big dogs.

Todd Phillips ("The Hangover" trilogy), who directed and co-wrote this humdinger, along with Stephen Chin and Jason Smilovic, maintains a breezy, satirical tone through two-thirds of the fast-paced film. Then he dives straight into stone-cold serious consequences. The shift is effective, revealing sobering facts.

In his usual typical role, Jonah Hill plays Efraim Diveroli, a shady, fast-talking, crude 20-something whose bluster and bravado builds his business. However, he's too much of a self-destructive party-boy, and his increasingly erratic conduct could be his undoing.

He invites his old pal from junior high, David Packouz (Miles Teller), to join the company. A massage therapist, Packouz has a beautiful girlfriend Iz (Ana de Armas) and a baby on the way, so he wants to make bank quickly. And the money comes rolling in — piles of it. The good life soon follows.

Is it any wonder they succumb to greed and corruption? They are out of their league with a $300 million winning bid on "The Afghan Deal." Can they deliver or will bad behavior torpedo their efforts?

Performances: The misleading trailer presents it as a bromance, and given the mid-August release date, doesn't appear too promising, but this is meatier.

Far better than one expects, the film is genuinely engaging, with solid efforts from the Hill-Teller duo.

Teller ("Whiplash") who gets stronger with each film, is the more sympathetic narrator — a grounded family man, while Hill ("The Wolf of Wall Street") is in his wheelhouse as a foul-mouthed jerk and flim-flam man.

In what could have easily been stunt casting, Bradley Cooper creates a believable character as Henry Girard, a major player in wartime wheeling -and-dealing.

Kevin Pollak ("Mom") has an interesting turn as Efraim's devout Jewish uncle and local dry cleaner who is a silent partner.

What Works: Strong writing provides sharp satire and laugh-out-loud situations. Slickly made, we're in for one wild ride.

What Doesn't Work: Phillips must be a big Martin Scorsese fan, for he copies freeze-frame techniques used to great effect in "Goodfellas."

He also over-uses classic rock songs to comment on action. Some of it works to advance the story, some are puzzling choices.

The script is over-stuffed with foul language — going for a "Scarface" record it seems.

Nevertheless, this story would be preposterous if it wasn't true.

"War Dogs" is a shocking example of the lack of checks and balances in areas where it should have been applied.

However, the film is merely commenting, and the points are well-taken.

Martin Scorsese fan, for he copies freeze-frame techniques used to great effect in "Goodfellas."

He also over-uses classic rock songs to comment on action. Some of it works to advance the story, some are puzzling choices.

The script is over-stuffed with foul language -- going for a "Scarface" record it seems.

Nevertheless, this story would be preposterous if it wasn't true.

"War Dogs" is a shocking example of the lack of checks and balances in areas where it should have been applied.

However, the film is merely commenting, and the points are well-taken.

This story was originally published August 18, 2016 at 8:58 AM with the headline "Stoners become arms dealers in ‘War Dogs,’ a fascinating tale."