Dallas Buyers Club

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Dallas Buyers Club.

Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée.

Written by Craig Borten & Melisa Wallack.

Review #243

MPAA Rating: Rated R for pervasive language, some strong sexual content, nudity and drug use.

Run Time: 117 min

Hulk Spoils Hollywood Podcast Page

Cast

Matthew McConaughey...Ron Woodroof

Jennifer Garner...Eve

Jared Leto...Rayon

Denis O'Hare...Dr. Sevard

Steve Zahn...Tucker

What's up everyone. After a bit of a break. I'm back and what a way to kick off my return with a film that goes deep into the minds and motivations of people living in a time where the HIV and AIDS virus caused mass panic and hysteria. There have been films made in the past that dealt with this topic but none quite like this. Based on a true story of Ron Woodroof. Dallas Buyers Club takes you on a journey that goes way beyond the black market pharmaceutical business.

Plot

In 1985 Dallas, electrician and hustler Ron Woodroof works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is himself diagnosed with the disease.

There's so much to like about this movie. The performances which were stellar by all. The story which has the heart and soul of the real life events it depicts. However, these two aspects don't hold a candle to the messages Dallas Buyers Club sends. Don't believe me? Take a look at the tag line at the top of the film's poster. "SOMETIMES IT TAKES A HUSTLER TO CHANGE THE WORLD."

I can't sum it up any better.

This is the real Ron Woodroof. He's long since passed away but his story did change the world by exposing a reality that many of us know now. Chris Rock said it best in one of his concerts. "The money's not in the cure....The money's in the medicine." He was dead on and so was Dallas Buyers Club. The film portrays the seediness and corruptible nature of the health care industry during the AIDS epidemic of the 80's. The experimental drugs and treatments passed by the FDA were making the patients sicker and in most cases killing them. So what happens when a degenerate drunk and whoring junkie finds an alternative to help these people that's seeing positive results?

You can do the math.

This was the most disappointing part of watching this magnificent film. Being reminded that getting to the finish line first for these companies was more important than saving people's lives. It was tough to stomach. That being said the frustration of that situation was easily quelled by the spectacular performance of Matthew McConaughey. This man has been through a career renaissance. A McConaissance if you will. After languishing in god awful rom com's with the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Kate Hudson. McConaughey has reclaimed his good name and re-established himself as a high caliber performer. It started with his performance in the film Mud. Check out my review HERE. From there he went on a major roll. From Magic Mike to his small cameo in The Wolf of Wall Street and now his stunning portrayal of Detective Rustin Cole on HBO's amazing show True Detective. The man is on fire and this film is getting him the recognition he's long deserved.

Now let's get the obvious stuff out of the way. It's no secret that the man looks nothing like the McConaughey that we are accustomed to seeing. This dude went on a serious diet to put it mildly. The last time I saw an actor go through a transformation like this for a role was Christian Bale in The Machinist. He was scary looking in that film and McConaughey is just as frightening in Dallas Buyers Club. There's no escaping that his physical appearance lends credence to his performance but his true brilliance comes from the attitudes and behavior he exhibits. Woodroof is a redneck loser that literally screwed himself into an early grave. Top that off with some back woods views on the world when it comes to homosexuals and you have yourself a rotten person plain and simple. It's those parts of McConaughey's performance that makes his star shine the brightest. He makes you root for the villain. Not an easy task but he pulls it off masterfully.

Of course he did have some help.

That is Jared Leto. Hard to believe right? After taking some time off from the big screen he's returned with a vengeance. It's not uncommon for an actor to take a small or "safe" role to get back into the game. Leto does neither in this case. If McConaughey's Woodroof is The Hulk then Leto's Rayon is Bruce Banner.

Forgive The Hulk reference but by now you should know if I can get one in I will.

Rayon is the calming influence that wafts around the film and Woodroof. Which is ironic since Woodroof struts around sporting anti gay sentiments and temperament. Like many people back in those days. The HIV and AIDS virus was solely a homosexual disease. Woodroof and his buddies spend the early portion of the film not shying away from those feelings. It isn't until Woodroof becomes ostracized himself that he realizes that despite his bigotry, a mutually beneficial alliance can be made. 

Leto was in a word stunning as Rayon. He owns the character outright and balances out Woodroof's rusty facade making these two quite a dynamic duo. Its no surprise that both leads are strong contenders for some Oscar hardware. McConaughey is the front runner for Best Actor and Leto was the hot guy but Micheal Fassbender may give him a run for Best Supporting Actor. Curious who I picked for the awards?

Check out my podcast where I pick this year's winners.

Shameless plug I know. Sue me. =)

The bottom line here is Dallas Buyers Club is a film that should be seen for several reasons. The performances, story and depiction of a man who struggled to fight himself. A life taking disease and a health system that worked in concert to do more harm than good.

On the 5 star scale. Dallas Buyers Club gets 4 stars with a "Worth Every Penny!" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"