Movie Review: The Dead Don't Hurt

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A wonderful western. 

When many people think of westerns, the idea of shoot-em-up action films may come to mind. This movie though is anything but. This is a slow-paced picture with little action. While this may not be for everyone as it requires much concentration and patience on the part of the audience, for the right audience this is a great movie. At first the slow pace and non-liner storytelling required some work on my part. However, as the film went on, I became hooked on the characters and the storytelling to where I couldn't look away from the screen. The story itself is very simple but it is the characters and the atmosphere that make this movie a must-see. Though Viggo Mortensen directs, writes, produces and acts in this film, the real star of the picture is a woman played by Viky Krieps. This woman trying to survive often times alone in the old west, is the personification of a strong tough person. This is not the type of tough person you see in an action flick, but someone who simply pushes through tragedies and tough situations without letting them stop her from being the beautiful person she is. This is the type of admirable person that we can relate to and who feels completely real to us in a way most action heroes can't. As the film goes on we grow to truly care about this woman as well as admire her and this leads to some great emotional scenes. This film will make you feel many complex and powerful emotions. By the time the end credits rolled I simply found myself overcome with emotion in the best way possible. 

Like many of the great westerns this is a very handsome movie. Shot heavily in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada as well as Durango, Mexico, this film features beautiful shot after beautiful shot. Many of these shots were reminiscent of the best classic John Ford westerns. Yet these shots also serve their purpose in the film, often increasing the feeling of isolation with the vastness of everything around the very few main characters. The setting becomes just as much a character in this film as any of those played by actors. 

I don't want to give much away about this film as it is best seen with little idea of what it is truly about. While it may take patience and concentration, it greatly rewards anyone willing to give it just that.