'The Dead Don't Hurt' Review: Viggo Mortensen's contemplative masterpiece leaves you teary-eyed
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Dead Don't Hurt' is releasing in theatres on May 31, 2024, and it tells a love story between Vivienne Le Coudy (Vicky Krieps) and Holger Olsen (Viggo Mortensen) who are separated due to the American Civil War. Olsen who is a Danish immigrant is determined to fight slavery in the war and he leaves Vivienne alone among ruthless men.
'The Dead Don't Hurt' is directed by Viggo Mortensen who brings a realistic feel to the era of the American Civil War and how it impacted families. The film is essentially Vivienne's story as she tries to survive alone in a world dominated by men. She fiercely resists as she waits for Olsen to come back to her.
The film moves at a slow pace almost reflective of the life of that era as time stands still on many occasions. The story has its moments of action but they are massively accentuated by the moments of contemplation where silence plays a huge character in the story. Here is a detailed review of the film.
Viggo Mortensen pauses time to make every frame a moment in 'The Dead Don't Hurt'
Viggo Mortensen does a lot in this film. He writes, directs, and plays the character of Olsen. But he impresses most with his direction as he crafts every frame with meticulous perfection.
There are moments in this film that involve the static camera capturing actors performing normal tasks but the metaphoric brilliance that those frames create is a joy to behold for every cinephile.
A moment in the film sees a pregnant Vivienne cleaning her walls. The moment might seem insignificant but it gives the viewer a peek into her everyday struggle. One that she has to do alone.
Vicky Krieps delivers a spell-bounding performance
Vicky Krieps delivers a performance that will be regarded as one of the best performances in her filmography for sure. She starts the film as a florist madly in love and then goes on to become a picture of resilience and determination.
Credit must go to the writer and director Viggo Mortensen, who keeps the story about her throughout. Once Olsen leaves the town, it is all about Vivienne and her struggle and while some directors might have chosen to show the more dramatic Civil War sequences, the director crafts Vivenna as the portrait of a strong woman.
Talking of performances, a special mention needs to go to the villain of the movie Solly McLeod, who impresses as a despicable antagonist. The film however will be remembered for Vicky's intense performance.
'The Dead Don't Hurt' is a visual delight
The leisurely pace of 'The Dead Don't Hurt' is beautifully complemented by its landscapes and use of space to draw out allegories. The loneliness of Vivienne is often expressed by a wide and empty frame with her being present in a small part of that frame.
The pacing of the film is slow and that perhaps is its biggest advantage. The narrative draws you in and grows on you. The silence from the first scene which is the same as the end of the film is pervasive and lingers on until the end of the film.
'The Dead Don't Hurt' trailer
