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The Dead Don't Hurt

Viggo Mortensen wrote and directed the Western, The Dead Don't Hurt, a story set at the onset of the Civil War. A Danish American meets a French (or Canadian, it's not really clear) American in the American frontier, and they fall for each other but choose not to marry.

Olsen's dream location is a barren piece of land that seems unsuitable for his partner, Vivienne. She makes the best of it by getting a job at the local saloon, and plants flowers and vegetables the best way she can. Olsen, however, feels this urge to go fight in the Civil War, leaving her by herself.

Like most stories of the American frontier, there was not a lot of lawful behavior. With Vivienne now alone, shenanigans ensue. In fact, we know most of the outcome during the opening scene, which I haven't decided was the right decision. But there is enough mystery that I stayed interested, though ultimately disappointed.

I had some trouble with the story as a whole. Showing patriotism for the new country that was still being settled is honorable. But abandoning a woman who begrudgingly decided to stay in a harsh environment was very pathetic. His selfishness sets forth a chain reaction that resulted in a very chaotic ending. Passion for what you love is one thing, but it's meaningless when it comes at the expense of who you love.

I'm also a bit tired of the lawlessness old West trope, even if it's an example of accuracy. Our cartoonish villain's (Weston) father is even afraid of him, along with pretty much the entire settlement. Come on, Viggo. The characterization was just sloppy, and Weston really was only there to give the most extreme of outcomes to Olsen's choice.

I disliked the very end, and I'll leave it up to my readers to see if they feel the same.

Nothing new here. Not outstanding but I didnt die from watching it. The bad cattle- rich guy and his evil son. The immigrant who somehow becomes a victim,and then gets revenge. I don't get the storyline. She is a French Canadian and her father is hung by British soldiers for what reason.? Trapping? Never would happen I found the whole story very muddled and slow. People complained that Horizon didn't make sense. Too many threads. This makes less sense and is an inferior movie. He,Viggo comes from Denmark ? No background on his character before he came to the US. Evidently he was in the Danish Army. His medal is not a US issue. Viggo tried to make something different in a western and he created a muddled standard one. She is some kind feminist independent type but dies of advanced syphilis. It wasn't from Bad son Jeffries because not enuf time had passed. She may have got it in her tattered life before she went west. Syphilis is in in westerns these days I guess. That Nevada homestead Viggo has looks like the back side of the moon. Why would he settle there? His job before he is sheriff was what?

The Dead Don't Hurt may sound like the standard issue story of revenge and small town corruption but its greatest strengths lie in how it prioritises its characters and their relationships over any action or exploitation. It didn't need to be told in a non-chronological structure however, it's still able to find its rhythm and become an engaging slow burning western.

Even though it has a few recognisable faces, the film is held together by two quietly commanding performances. Viggo Mortensen & Vicky Krieps both carry the film by themselves at certain points as they internalise most of their feelings whilst showing how they really feel in subtle ways. Together, they make for a believable couple who's quickly blossoming bond has a real tenderness to it.

Viggo Mortensen shows he's a jack of all trades by writing, directing, and composing the score as well as starring in it. His direction is beautiful as he uses Marcel Zyskind's cinematography to gently glide through the sets and display the gorgeous locations in all their natural glory, keeping that going throughout the end credits as well. His mournful western score is a natural fit for the intimate proceedings.

The frame of this film is ingenious, beautiful landscapes and most of the score played by a string ensemble with piano. Acting is also great with the main characters saying more with their glances than a thousand words.

The negative thing is this film takes ages to get to the meat of the plot, namely when Olsen leaves Vivienne to rejoin the army consecutively showing what happens to her while he's away.

Just before that we were at the point to stand up from our seats and leave the cinema hall. Luckily I held on to my principle to watch films to the end, even if they're bad, so in the end we had an enjoyable afternoon at the cinema.

Beautiful story about the love of two outsiders in the countryside, where they just want to survive and build a home, and trying to keep the distance from the archetypical western "heroes". Wonderfully photographed tale, and Viggo Mortensen did his best as a director, actor, writer and composer. Sometimes, it's a bit too slow, otherwise, I appreciate that they didn't fill the story with common cowboy stuffs and self-serving violance - Mortensen's movie isn't about the danger and corruption of the west, but about independence and strong, unique connection between lovers. I really like the middle part, where the film switched to Vivienne's subjective perspective.