Starring Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée
Matthew McConaughey delivers the most powerful and harrowing role of his career in the poignant drama Dallas Buyers Club.
The film is based on the true story of Ron Woodroof, a homophobic, drug addicted party animal who contracted AIDS in 1986 and was given 30 days to live.
Refusing to succumb to such a death sentence, Woodroof did exhaustive research on the alternative treatments, many illegal in the US because they lacked FDA approval. The ailing man soon finds such outlawed drugs are prolonging his life so he decides to start a special club (one of many that had already formed in the country) to provide other sufferers with much needed medicine for a membership fee.
McConaughey is almost unrecognizable, shedding 50 pounds for the role, as his spindly body and gaunt face serve as a haunting reminder of the ravages of the disease; yet he remains perpetually defiant, armed with acerbic wit and rapid fire delivery that gives the film much needed doses of black humour. As if his acting isnt captivating enough, Jared Leto also stuns as his transgendered business partner Rayon. The movies familiar tropes are saved by their jaw-dropping performances.
Perhaps the most stunning aspect of McConaugheys portrayal of Woodroof is his brilliant transition from close-minded bigot to champion for the cause; it makes for truly riveting viewing and marks a career high for the increasingly versatile actor.
