One of the many great things about cinema is its ability to shed light on important events and crises in our history. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, Dallas Buyers Club is one such example of this capability, shedding light on the beginnings of the AIDS disease through an intimate and moving character study.
Based on true events, the film tells the story of Ron Woodruff (Matthew McConaughey), a Texan electrician whose numerous vices include unprotected sex, smoking, and drugs. His hedonistic lifestyle catches up with him when he is diagnosed with the AIDS virus, and is given only 30 days to live.
Once the truth of his new circumstances has sunk in, Ron does anything he can to keep himself alive, whether it be acquiring AZT – the only drug showing limited success against the virus – or traveling to Mexico to get his hands on unapproved medication. Realising that alternative drugs are more effective, he soon partners with transsexual and fellow AIDS sufferer Rayon (Jared Leto) and forms the Dallas Buyers Club, where people who have the disease can receive better medication in exchange for a membership fee.
Penned by Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack, the script does an excellent job of showing the fear and hate that HIV sufferers were subjected to in the disease’s early days. Indeed, Ron – himself an unashamed homophobe at the film’s outset – is angrier at the suggestion that he is gay than the fact he may have AIDS when he is initially given the news, and is quickly shunned by his co-workers.
McConaughey has had the Midas touch for quite some time now, and his string of great performances continues here. Ron’s journey from obnoxious bigot to unlikely crusader is a poignant one that’s easy to get behind, and McConaughey’s down-to-earth portrayal never regresses into melodrama. Matching him scene for scene is Leto, almost unrecognizable as Ron’s ally and eventual friend Rayon. Like McCounaghey’s, it’s a performance that goes beyond the radical physical transformation, with everything from movement to voice cadence undergoing alterations. That he only had three weeks to prepare for the role makes it all the more impressive. Meanwhile, Jennifer Garner is likable as a sympathetic Doctor who befriends our protagonists.
Anchored by two phenomenal central performances, Dallas Buyers Club is a moving and inspiring tale that will be well-deserving of any awards in Oscar season. The McConnaisance continues.
[Rating:4/5]
