Set in the 1860s in Elk Flats, Nevada, the story follows Holger (Viggo Mortensen), who lives in a quiet, dusty home near the mountains. Although his house is quite plain, he enjoys a peaceful lifestyle and prefers to keep to himself. While venturing outside the community to gather supplies, he meets Vivienne (Vicky Krieps). Holger approaches Vivienne like a true gentleman, and they converse sweetly. As their newfound romance blossoms, Holger invites Vivienne to move in with him in Nevada, and she happily accepts. Once she moves in, they decide to plant trees and flowers together, working to build and expand their home.
Holger’s happiness is short-lived, though. Upon hearing about an opportunity to serve and fight for the Union in the emerging Civil War, he decides to enlist. Although he is offered a small fee for joining, his motivations include his experience as a captain, but more importantly, he feels it is the right thing to do. Naturally, Vivienne is displeased and saddened by Holger’s decision. Left alone, Vivienne begins working part-time at a local pub. However, the town is entirely controlled by Mayor Rudolph (Danny Huston). Vivienne must defend herself and do whatever it takes to fight and survive in Holger’s absence.
The Dead Don’t Hurt is a period western drama film. Viggo Mortensen not only stars as Holger but also wrote the story and directed it. This is Mortensen’s second feature film, following his directorial debut with Falling in 2020.The drama is heavy and gritty, with some scenes that can be genuinely uncomfortable to watch, especially after Holger departs to serve on the battlefield.
This film is visually stunning. The locations, set pieces, and overall vibe of the West and the time period feel realistic and believable on-screen. The performances are impressive, particularly from Vicky Krieps, who portrays a range of emotions, from light-hearted and playful to deeply dramatic. Viggo Mortensen delivers an acceptable performance, but his character tends to be quieter and expresses fewer emotions than Vivienne. This is likely a reflection of his past, including his experiences as a battlefield captain. Danny Huston, portraying the town’s selfish and cruel mayor, is excellent once again; however, this role feels familiar, and his performance doesn’t bring anything new.
Unfortunately, while I praise the film, it also has a few significant issues. Firstly, the narrative is often messy and confusing. The film frequently jumps around in time, and I usually found it unclear whether I was watching a scene from Holger’s past or present. Additionally, the pacing is slow and predictable. I also believe it was unwise for the film to reveal so much of its ending right at the beginning. It would have been more effective if the story had been told in a straightforward, chronological manner, with tighter scenes, making the overall impact stronger and less dragging. Another distraction for me was the makeup in various scenes. For instance, there’s a moment where Holger is digging a large hole, yet his face remains completely pristine, without a single drop of sweat or a sign of hard work.
Overall, as a Western period drama, I found many aspects of The Dead Don’t Hurt enjoyable, including the visuals, locations, and sets. The drama is compelling and well-acted by both Vicky Krieps and Viggo Mortensen; however, I’m saddened to confess how slow I found the plot progression. The style was also confusing at times, and the chronological timing of many flashbacks were not apparent; I found this frustrating and distracting. While the climax carries a good reward, outcomes are also apparent long before it’s shown, which feels less rewarding than desired.
The Dead Don’t Hurt (2024) will be available in Australian Cinemas from December 5th!
6.1/10
★ ★ ★
31st October 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
THANK YOU FOR VISITING!
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