The Dead Don’t Hurt – Movie Reviews by Ry!

The Dead Don’t Hurt – Life and Love on the American Frontier

Going into a film, there will be thoughts of wonder and caution.  For all the anticipation, to see a story unfold becomes a matter of that genuine touch.  When it comes to a Western, the uncertainty becomes a matter of folly, but if done right … it can turn into a character masterpiece.  In this review, I look at the latest Western to hit the big screen.  In a journey of heart and purpose, The Dead Don’t Hurt rises to the occasion to build a retrospective look at life on the open plain.

In a story of love and sacrifice, two individuals will prove what it means to persevere on the American Frontier.  When it comes to storytelling, there are many ways for a filmmaker to tackle ideas, characters and meaning.  For a visionary of any kind, telling the story becomes a manner of building from these elements through a purposeful eye of intent.  For Viggo Mortensen (Writer/director), he builds upon the foundation of the Western genre, but weaves into the emotional fortitude of his characters.  With this film, the traditional narrative structure is pushed aside for a weaving of time jumps, building through the relationship between Holger Olsen (Viggo Mortensen) and Vivienne Le Coudy (Vicky Krieps).  These two individuals are contrasting personality types, but that friction manifests in layers of humanistic overtures for passion, worth and zeal.  Through these individuals, the story becomes a leveling of conversations and personal interactions.  Through Mortensen’s directive, he builds upon the visual technique of ‘show not tell’, leaving moments to be raw, emotional and gripping.  As the story slowly builds through their budding relationship, it becomes an aspect of what it means to live life on the open plains.  This leveling approach helps the characterized plot to lift the Western like foundation that makes it feel riveting in its typical motif.  Even with its cliché of lawlessness on the American Frontier, its that same simplicity that elevates the narrative to a wholesome glance of our two leads, Holger and Vivienne.   

As mentioned before, the narrative ditches the typical buildup for a character piece, mixing it in with specific time skips.  The non-linear approach creates a path of the end before the beginning, leaving the audience to fill in the pieces through the methodical eye of its characters.  Even with the nuance of knowing certain outcomes, the twisting of circumstance elevates the artistry of its visuals, characters and moments.  There is poignancy to Holger’s honor of war and Vivienne’s tenacity of individuality, helping breathe life into a journey of telegraph moments.  As everything builds towards its third act, it becomes a mixed bag of character moments and obvious resolutions.  Even with an ambiguous ending, it leads into an epilogue that is heartfelt through the meaning of its own guise.  The Dead Don’t Hurt is a film that elevates through the mastery of its own characters.  If you are a fan of Westerns, character films or non-linear narratives, this is one for you.  It might be a niche genre, but to me, this one worth the full price of admission.

Full Score – 4 out of 5 (Full Price)