Dallas Buyers Club

Craig Borten was out of college and wondering what kind of movies he wanted to make.  Around this time is when he heard of Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey).  A man, who had been diagnosed with AIDS in 1986 and given less than a month to live.  Director Jean Marc Vallée digs out this script that was hidden away for over 20 years, to give us The Dallas Buyer’s Club.

Vallée takes us through the feral lifestyle that Woodroof used to live.  Althought the rodeo bit is dramatized for effect, most of the other aspects shown in the movie are true.  Woofroof was an electrician by profession because his father was one and the genes found their way to him as well.  The aspect that also found its way was that of being a drunk.  Add a few drugs to the mix and you have a lethal combination.

Although it is not clearly explained or called out as to how Woodroof actually contracted AIDS but one can only assume that it was through a syringe somewhere.  The narration is hard hitting and more so towards the giant pharmaceutical companies that declared AZT to be the only cure despite other several other options available in the international market.

That was, however, not going to deter Woodroof who uses all his street smartness to rally around suppliers and doctors from Mexico to Amsterdam to Japan.  He works around the system to form a Buyers club that eliminates the need for a medical license to supply what he wants to – another aspect that I found was not delved into deep enough and if you don’t keep a track of the accent, it can get really tough to keep up.

Loads of stuff that is right about Dallas Buyers Club.  To begin with, the script is simple and straightforward.  The only thing you will need to keep up with is the accent as mentioned earlier but that is a necessity and can be eliminated with subtitles if you are watching on video.

The costumes are superb – very true to the time frame.  The team has spare no expense to de-glam the cast.  They most importantly appear REAL.  It took me a couple of shots to identify Jennifer Garner with no make-up AT ALL!!!! Either that or the make-up artist is so good that s/he makes you believe that none is used.

Matthew McConaughey shed 38 pounds for a role that is touted to get him the golden statuette – although anything we say at this stage would only be conjecture.  That does not change the fact that Ron Woodroof’s portrayal by McConaughey has been the man’s best performance to date. Of course the chest thumping, coke snorting, Mark Hanna (Wolf of Wall Street) was not too far away.

Jared Leto’s performance has earned him a nomination but if he loses out to either Barkhad Abdi (Captain Philips) or Michael Fassbender (12 Year), there is nothing to be disappointed about.  Leto was stunning as Rayon aka Raymond – at times I thought he was one in real life.  Super casting!!!

With Dallas Buyers Club, I have seen 7 out of the 9 nominated movies this year.   Nebraska will happen on Friday (28^th February 2014) but I may not be able to catch Philomena till the movie houses are kind enough.  DBC may not be the movie of the year but it has to be on your watch list.  8 on 10. Make it a part of your weekend.

Watch the trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2410326809/?ref_=tt_ov_vi