Dallas Buyers Club

Movie Name: Dallas Buyers Club
Year of Release: 2013

Director: Jean-Marc Vallee

Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Steve Zahn, Denis O'Hare, Dallas Roberts, Kevin Rankin, Griffin Dunne, Michael O'Neill, J.D. Evermore

Genre: Drama

Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7

Synopsis:

Director Jean-Marc Vallee's "Dallas Buyers Club" follows the true story of Ron Woodroof, an electrician and rodeo bull rider, who in 1985 discovers he's been infected with HIV. Ron goes through the process of denial, and eventually comes to grips with the fact that this deadly disease is causing the demise of millions of people. Ron starts investigating ways to get on AZT trials, and finds out much to his dismay, that the medication is expensive and difficult to obtain. At the end of his wits, he decides to go to Mexico, where he finds alternative ways to battle the ailment with different drugs, not approved by the FDA. Upon his returns to the US, he starts providing people with these drugs, with the assistance of a young transvestite, by the name of Rayon.
The "Dallas Buyers Club" is a film that anchors itself on the fantastic work of the cast it has assembled and the poignant story of it's main lead. The homophobic Ron Woodroof, is charismatic and impulsive, but also holds on to his life with everything he has. His resilience and persistence is a testament to the capability of human beings to pursue life above all and against all obstacles. The film details his misadventures, since the time he discovers his diagnosis, but falters in giving some additional ground for it's supporting characters, namely Rayon and Dr. Eve Saks. Both Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto go through startling physical transformations (that are quite impressive), both creating characters that indelible and unforgettable in their own terms. Jennifer Garner ends up with the more grounded character, as does the talented Denis O'Hare, however their characters are simple sketches without much depth. An interesting film worth watching.