Viggo Mortenson is an actor who has done some of the biggest movies in Hollywood in his career, namely the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He has also done a lot of indie and character studies like Green Book, Captain Fantastic, Eastern Promises, and A History of Violence. Whatever kind of movie he does, he puts one hundred percent into every role.  He’s even done a western with Hidalgo. He must have loved doing that film because he decided to write, direct, and star in another western, The Dead Don’t Hurt. 

Holger Olson (Viggo Mortenson) is still recovering from the death of his wife when he meets a Fiesty French woman Vivienne Le Coudy (Vicky Krieps) She is a determined woman who likes to stand on her own feet. As she becomes familiar with him, they become a lot closer. They begin living together in his little Shack on the outskirts of town and are happy with their lives there. Eventually, war came calling, and Mortenson’s character went off to fight for the Union Army.  When he came back, things weren’t the same as when he left.

I’ve seen Vicky Krieps in a few movies, including Corsage, Old, and The Phantom Thread. She has the ability to keep viewers interested in what her characters are saying and doing during the context of the films she’s in. Her character in this film is the same way. Even when she’s farming or bartending or just being a loving companion, she exudes an essence on screen. Being in a Western is a little different for her, but she still gives a very good performance despite the script not being that great.

Viggo is a great actor, and he does a terrific job directing this movie, but he has failed by himself regarding the script he wrote. There is something lost in translation from the page to the screen. The motivations of the villains, who are played by Danny Huston who is the corrupt mayor of the town, Garret Dillahunt as a shady businessman, and his vicious and violent son played by Solly McCoud are a bit obscure. The viewers of the film are left in confusion to a bit regarding why these men are the bad guys. Something happens later in the movie that puts a target on one of their heads, but that’s late in the story. There is mention of a mining operation, but it’s not discussed that much. I was left wondering what this had to do with the overall film. Other than that, it is difficult to figure out these men’s true motivations in this town. 

Viggo plays this character and directs himself as an aloof character. He’s quiet and doesn’t say much, and that gives him a mysterious element to his character. He knows what he wants from himself as this character. He just doesn’t connect the dots with some of the other characters besides Kreips character.  Their love shows in the movie, and I can get behind that. I just didn’t feel this way concerning the antagonists in the film.

The Dead Don’t Hurt is a good Western, but it lacks some things that could make it a great Western. Viggo acts and directs himself for the first time and he knows what he’s looking for in those aspects. He has good chemistry with Krieps and that shows in the movie. The script doesn’t necessarily do this story justice. The villains aren’t explained in a way that helps the film move in the right direction. It’s a confusing place to find the story in. This fails the film to some extent. It doesn’t mean Mortenson is a bad director, he just didn’t put all the pieces together this time. I’m sure he will do a better job next time out if given another chance. I wasn’t invested in this one though.

2 ½ stars

Dan Skip Allen