Dallas Buyers Club – review

The Dallas Buyers Club is an impressive movie for a few reasons.  The story is deep and runs a gamut of emotions as we watch the main character grow from a homophobic bigot to an empathetic man who stands up for others in similar positions.  The acting is stellar and really showcases the talents of both Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto. 

In 1985 Texas, Ron Woodroof, played by Matthew McConaughey, is a man with extremely homophobic views until he is told he has the HIV virus. After illegally obtaining AZT, he is hospitalized after taking too much of it and ends up meeting an HIV- positive transgendered patient named Rayon, played by Jared Leto. After discovering that the FDA makes it hard to get drugs for HIV/AIDS patients, the two team up to bring drugs from over the Mexican border and sell them to HIV/AIDS victims. 

The character of Ron Woodroof is a very well written, redeemable jerk.  His pathos is felt and seems even more real by Matthew McCaughey’s outstanding performance.  Jered Leto is shocking in the amount of talent he portrays in his role. These are the performances that people will remember these actors for.  The movie doesn’t hold back and it is only stronger for every scene.

The Dallas Buyers Club will certainly be a strong contender for the Oscars.  If you get a chance you should see this movie.  If you are a fan of McConaughey or Leto and want to see them really surprise you with their acting talents, this is the movie for you.  The subtle theme of the FDA being an inefficient tool of pharmaceutical companies is present, but it is not preachy, which is nice. It is a great movie and one of the best I’ve seen in a long time.