A Prayer for the Dying, the latest film from Norway-based director Dara Van Dusen, is a technically accomplished yet unsatisfying drama that fails to deliver on its promise of a gripping western epic. As reported by The Guardian, the film boasts a talented cast, including Johnny Flynn and John C Reilly, but ultimately lacks the emotional substance to sustain its sombre tale of an unfolding epidemic in 1870s Wisconsin.
Set in a frontier town in Wisconsin in 1870, the film follows Jacob, played by Johnny Flynn, a man who serves as both sheriff and pastor, albeit without the traditional trappings of either role. Haunted by his experiences in the civil war, Jacob is married to Marta, played by Kristine Kujath Thorp, and they have a young child together. However, their lives are disrupted by the discovery of a dead body on the town's outskirts, which sparks a catastrophic epidemic.
The town's doctor, played by John C Reilly, is horrified to realise that the dead man died of diphtheria, and a woman from a neighbouring religious community exhibits the same symptoms. As the epidemic spreads, the men are divided on how to respond, with some advocating for a lockdown and others pushing for a policy of non-acknowledgment. However, the disease ultimately renders these debates irrelevant, and Jacob is left to grapple with the consequences of his own inability to enforce order.
Divided Responses
The film's portrayal of the epidemic and its aftermath is marked by scenes of horror, which are complicated by the presence of a spreading wildfire. This eerie red glow could be seen as a manifestation of Jacob's PTSD, a dramatisation of his deeply unhappy mind. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Jacob may be immune to the disease, but the question of whether he is a carrier remains unanswered.
John C Reilly delivers a sympathetic and weighty performance, bringing depth to his character. In contrast, Johnny Flynn, while always watchable, seems to have been given less direction, resulting in a less nuanced portrayal of Jacob's anguish. Despite its technical accomplishments, the film feels like a short stretched too long, with striking visual gestures and set pieces that fail to connect with any deeper emotional truth.
A Prayer for the Dying screened at the Berlin film festival, where it likely sparked discussions about the film's themes and technical merits. However, for audiences seeking a more satisfying drama, the film may ultimately fall short of expectations.
