WFG RATING: A

Shout! Studios present a Tallpot Studios production in association with Recorded Picture Company, Perceval Pictures, and Polyphony Digital. Written and directed by Viggo Mortensen. Produced by Viggo Mortensen, Regina Solorzano, and Jeremy Thomas. Cinematography by Marcel Zyskind. Edited by Peder Pedersen.

Stars Viggo Mortensen, Vicky Krieps, Danny Huston, Garret Dillahunt, Sonny McLeod, W. Earl Brown, Shane Graham, and Atlas Green. 

A relationship between two immigrants in the Wild West is tested by the rigors of war and more in this very tense and emotional film from star, writer, and director Viggo Mortensen.

In 1860’s San Francisco, French-Canadian woman Vivienne Le Coudy has come to a small frontier town in hopes to start life anew on behalf of her family. She is courted by a rich prominent art collector, but it’s clear that she doesn’t seem to have an interest in him. However, the moment she lays eyes on Danish immigrant Holger OIsen, the sparks begin to fly. The two begin a whirlwind romance together and even goes as far as living with him at his farm in Nevada.

However, with a chance at independence, Vivienne gets a job as a barmaid in a nearby town run by the powerful Alfred Jeffries and his son Weston, known for his hot temper. When Holger joins the Civil War as part of the Union, the relationship is soon tested when Vivienne is assaulted by a drunken Weston, resulting in a son, Vincent. When Holger returns and learns what has happened, he has one thing in mind. However, he soon learns of a bigger fate in store. 

It is sometimes fascinating to see what actors can do when they go behind the cameras. For instance, Keanu Reeves has directed one film, the highly underrated Man of Tai Chi while Mark Dacascos made his directorial debut with the indie action film Showdown in Manila. Viggo Mortensen’s second directorial effort after 2020’s Falling, is a great emotional tale set in the Wild West and focuses on the relationship between two immigrants to the nation. It becomes interesting how this plays out, but an exciting cast keeps it going. 

Taking a page from his actual heritage, Mortensen is great as Danish immigrant Holger, who is seen as a likable fellow who follows the letter of the law. Starting out as a carpenter, we see Holger become someone strong and respected in the community, especially when it comes to his relationship with the mayor, played by Danny Huston. We see him as a man who likes to keep to himself. That is, until he meets French-Canadian immigrant Vivienne, played by an excellent Vicky Krieps. 

Mortensen and Krieps show excellent chemistry that is the heart of the film. Even when we see Holger return home from war and learn Vivienne had a son from an assault, he is willing on her behalf to let it go and help raise the boy as his own. While he is in love with Vivienne, she does at times love him back, but also feels like if she married him, she would be relegated to the life she doesn’t want to live in the first place. So it’s clear that their relationship is complicated but deep down, they clearly love each other. 

The Dead Don’t Hurt is a tense and emotional look at a complicated relationship that proves love grows from bad situations with excellent performances by Viggo Mortensen and Vicky Krieps as the heart of the film.