Men of War

Men-of-War
Men of War

The directors, Jen Gatien and Billy Corben thought it was a no-brainer to make a documentary centered on a former Green Beret and a special forces operative, Jordan Goudreau who had previously planned and executed a failed coup in Venezuela evidently, Goudreau is an interesting character. He is a self-proclaimed philosopher who is full of himself. His arrogance fills him with quotes from Heraclitus while being completely ignorant of most of his own flaws. In this film “Men Of War” Goudreau is portrayed as many things loyal, power-hungry albeit rather stupid, and at the same time brave or maybe gullible all due to the fact that he suffers from PTSD. It is a morally ambiguous image of a mercenary who sees himself as a soldier fighting for inclusion clearly a man who refuses to accept the repercussions of his conduct.

And such is the framework with which Gatien and Corben perform their character study, that failed capture of Venezuela also known as an attempted coup. The operation titled Operation Gideon was organized and led by Goudreau as a sea invasion aimed at Cove a new calling of setting up the US Mercury. The directors pursue and the composers manage to save this failed penetration on screenshots and pictures of to the last surviving who managed to survive: one journalist, an American dissident based in Miami, Lt Colonel general of Venezuela, and the brother of one of the captured Americans. Goudreau however happens to be the most important figure in the entire operation.

It’s clear that this is a frantic enchanting story told with style and in an engrossing manner, similar to the action films that Goudreau admires. Goudreau’s experience as a soldier in the post-9/11 American wars in the Middle East is depicted in the movie but the story does not lose touch of the core period of 2019 and 2020 when this ultimate disgrace was being scripted.

The directors provide Goudreau with the modern American cowboy look during the interview. Neutral tones in the clothing worn by Goudreau resemble military uniforms. There is a well-lit fire in front of him with a Harley Davidson motorcycle positioned beside him as he is seated. There is no irony in Goudreau’s comments because he believes that he is the combat acting character. He sees himself as a fusion of Jason Bourne and Rambo the American dreamer who longs for war like the Apocalypse Now and Starship Troopers characters without understanding the subtleties of such plots beyond war based exaggerations.

He always has the tongue of a soldier. Isn’t one easier in his language ‘activating a regime change to liberate 30 million people’ for Russia? gtb seems to be so. Rape in war becomes a justified act, however despicable when one thinks: this is for a greater cause. That is in fact American cause. If there is free money to squeeze out of some other country, it fits into the US total values system. The documentary dispels all these fantasies revealing the emptiness within him and the unimaginable price he has caused his friends and collaborators to pay. All the gullible losers who pampered his fantasies lost their lives are freedom. The doc is an attack on American principled manhood patriarchy and America itself.

Yet “Men of War” brutality intensity should never be underestimated as it targets US foreign policy in the same style as a visionary but unconvincing conspiracy theory. Goudreau had people in the US and entered into a contract with representatives of the Venezuelan opposition. This is kind of legit appearing history. The moment Goudreau or any other witness shifts to a US official, they nail into the camera some other known figures of the Trump admin and the production. The incorporation of such quick edits is creepy but at the same time adds depth to the movie so one is more likely to see it as a rogue US foreign policy than a mere fairytale.

In this case, however, the filmmakers never commit to a position it is up to the viewers to speculate. As a matter of fact, their only interference comes in the form of a disembodied voice of a remote interviewer who interjects at times to temper Goudreau’s statements or to mildly assist his self-righteous anger.

There are numerous shady and shadowy figures all of whom make for interesting interviewees. They are both Goudreau’s supporters and independent witnesses who contradict everything Goudreau says, and often at the same time. The filmmakers, however, are able to create a structure that is fast-paced and lively to fit in all these testimonies. It is only towards the very end that the film loses its kinetic feel. In making an effort to give these deeper complexities to Goudreau by showing him with his parents, the film forgets that it has already rolled all of Goudreau’s complexities. It is unnecessary to have such superfluous content; the emphasis should have been on the operation.

This approach, however, is not enough as “Men of War” is an interesting war documentary focused on serious aspects of its subject. It takes a look at the modern order of the world and criticizes the American war machine and the psychopathic condition of American soldiers. It tells a rather silly story that in its own way had significant repercussions and affected many people.

In the end, its most powerful story is of these men who irrespective of the facts, always believe in their fantasies of themselves. Not only Goudreau, but many more in Venezuela, Colombia, or the USA. Some were his mates, others his foes. But all of them had faith in his hubristic proclamations, up to their ruin. It is disturbing that the film exposes the subjects and yet, regrettably not all of them paid much if any cost.

For more movie Men of War like Visit 123Movies.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top