Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

The Dead Don't Hurt Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 8, 2024

As he slowly backs away from an acting career, Viggo Mortensen has found his way behind the camera. In 2020, there was his work on “Falling,” a tough but meaningful examination of relationships put under the weight of dementia. For “The Dead Don’t Talk,” Mortensen pursues a western, also scripting this story of a partnership between decent people as it goes through trials of trust, separation, and comfort. This isn’t an Eastwood-ian take on revenge, though aggression does play a part in the tale, with Mortensen much more interested in the development of characters as they deal with the joys and misery of life, especially during a time of national unrest. “The Dead Don’t Hurt” is atmospheric and attentive to emotional expression, lacking a brisk pace. The reward for such patience is another deeply felt picture from Mortensen, who delivers a film of grace and personality, offering a few genre kicks between long stretches of behavioral examination.

Olsen (Viggo Mortensen) is a solitary man, an immigrant from Denmark, and he’s created a life for himself in a remote part of America. At a marketplace one afternoon, Olsen meets Vivienne (Vicky Krieps), a French-Canadian woman who also exudes independence and intelligence, making for quick chemistry between the strangers. As time passes, Olsen and Vivienne become a couple, and soon build a home together, living a peaceful life with some adjustments for the woman, who isn’t educated in the ways of rural living. Breaking such stillness is Weston (Solly McLeod), the hotheaded son of businessman Alfred (Garret Dillahunt), who often causes trouble around town, and he’s particulary fond of Vivienne. When the Civil War reaches the area, Olsen elects to enlist to defend his ideals, leaving his partner behind to continue her life and deal with predators, finding Weston making his presence known.

Time plays a particularly important role in “The Dead Don’t Hurt.” Mortensen and editor Peder Pedersen don’t offer major visual transitions between shifts in years, preferring hard cuts as the story is chopped up into segments of development, daring to begin with the death of Vivienne. This is no spoiler, happening right as the picture opens, watching as a sorrowful Olsen confronts the loss of someone he loved with all his heart, left alone to care for child Vincent (Atlas Green). The movie also exposes viewers to the reckless ways of Weston, who murders those who oppose him, while his father manages to find another man to accept the blame, allowing the innocent one to be dragged through a kangaroo court and hanged, helping the son to escape punishment. “The Dead Don’t Hurt” offers madness and loss in its first ten minutes, beginning to move around time to approach these characters from unusual perspectives.

Vivienne is a strong woman, raised by a loving mother after the loss of her father, and she’s not one to pay attention to men (recently escaping a suitor looking to control her). However, Olsen is different, with the pair connecting on a primal level, quickly getting physical, but also intellectual, as Vivienne offers art appreciation as part of their courtship. They share an outsider status but bond as friends and lovers, taking their union to a home away from town, where Olsen enjoys managing the land, while Vivienne gets used to such a life. “The Dead Don’t Hurt” takes its time with this attraction, which is tested by change but rooted in communication. Mortensen pays careful attention to respect, extending to Vivienne’s need for employment, soon working at the local saloon, which is prime real estate value to Alfred, creating a bit of plot to follow for a feature that’s primarily about character interactions.

The Dead Don't Hurt Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.39:1 aspect ratio) presentation maintains detail throughout, exploring the weathered faces on the cast and wiry facial hair on the men. Costuming retains fibrousness, examining heavy suits and thick hats. Exteriors maintain expanse, preserving activity in the open world. Interiors are dimensional, visiting intimate living spaces and active town gatherings. Decorative additions are open for inspection. Colors preserve western hues, with lots of browns and blacks on style and sets. Brighter primaries are maintained on dresses and greenery. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is tested with heavier evening activity and limited lighting, and a bit of information is lost at times. Very brief banding is detected.

The Dead Don't Hurt Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix is a delicate affair, dealing with the contemplative nature of "The Dead Don't Hurt." Dialogue exchanges are crisp, preserving emotionality and hostility at times. Scoring delivers clear support, with sharp instrumentation, and musical moods offer a softer sense of immersion in the surrounds. Low-end isn't challenged, but galloping horses and harder hits of violence register some weight. Sound effects are defined, and atmospherics are appreciable, capturing community bustle and the movement of nature.

The Dead Don't Hurt Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (45:27, HD) is a video conference discussion of "The Dead Don't Hurt" with director Viggo Mortensen and his close friend, director Jame Campion. The pair first collaborated on 1996's "The Portrait of a Lady," sustaining their relationship over the decades. This ease of communication was missed by Mortensen during the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down a theatrical release for his helming debut, "Falling," preventing him from acquiring audience and colleague feedback to learn from. The conversation turns to "The Dead Don't Talk," keeping Mortensen busy dealing with financing issues, and while the picture was prepped, the lead actor dropped out, inspiring a quick casting change. Technical challenges are detailed, and the interviewees go deep into character and storytelling, describing efforts to make something surprising and meaningful.

• Making Of (68:53, HD) features interviews with director/actor Viggo Mortensen (who converses in multiple languages), producer Regina Solorzano, dialect coach Jean-Francois Beaupre, production designer Carol Spier, property master Hugo Reyes, costume designer Anne Dixon, cinematographer Marcel Zyskind, sound mixer Gabriel Coll, stunt coordinator Omar Ayala, head wrangler Rex Peterson, and actors Solly McLeod, Vicky Krieps, Danny Huston, and Shane Graham. This is no simple featurette, but an elegantly produced look at the creation of "The Dead Don't Hurt," permitting plenty of time for the interviewees to explore their relationships with Mortensen and delve into characterization and technical challenges for the western. There's plenty of BTS footage as well, mostly focusing on the film shoot in Mexico. There's a real sense of moviemaking passion and camaraderie presented here, making a lovely companion piece to the feature.

• Deleted Scenes (6:34, HD) are offered.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:02, HD) is included.

The Dead Don't Hurt Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Dead Don't Hurt" has moments of softness, as Mortensen and Krieps share appealing chemistry, working to sell the core bond of the pairing while playing with its outside challenges, including military duty for Olsen. This separation takes place midway through the film, following Vivienne's experiences on her own, finding Weston trying to take advantage of the situation. There's horror in the screenplay, finding many forms of cruelty visiting the characters, but Mortensen doesn't get hostile with the picture, preferring a more meditative approach, which results in a slow-burn viewing experience that's not for everyone. "The Dead Don't Hurt" does indulge in some western traditions, including standoffs and gunplay, but the material stays as human as possible, as Mortensen favors the power of intimacy over the sting of violence.