‘Men of War’ Review: Masculine Bravado Runs Amok in Doc Examining How a Coup Failed in Venezuela
variety.comMurtada Elfadl In Jordan Goudreau, a former Green Beret and special forces operative who planned and executed a failed attempt at overthrowing the government of Venezuela, directors Jen Gatien and Billy Corben found a fascinating subject worthy of being the main character in a documentary.
He’s full of bravado and hubris, quotes ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus and evades serious self-examination. In “Men Of War,” Goudreau is shown as brave, greedy, power-hungry, stupid, gullible and loyal, as well as a victim of PTSD.
It’s a morally complicated portrait of a mercenary who thinks he’s a righteous soldier: a man who obviously cannot grapple with the consequences of his actions.
The framework for Gatien and Corben’s character study is that aforementioned coup attempt. Goudreau planned what was named Operation Gideon, a 2020 sea invasion of Venezuela by a coalition of local dissidents and American mercenaries to overthrow president Nicolas Maduro.
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