Dallas Buyers Club

The movie is set in Texas during the mid-eighties, and brings us the moving story of Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey), an old-fashioned homophobic rodeo cowboy, whose life is full of drugs, booze and (unprotected) sex. As expected, Woodroof’s lifestyle comes at a cost – HIV infection and a misinformed 80’s diagnosis of 30 days to live. Not conformed to his low chances to the early and dangerous medication available, the main character embarks on a journey to better understand the virus and discover alternative medication abroad (not always through legal channels) not yet approved by the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) at the time. Along the way, Ron meets a his transsexual business partner, played by Jared Leto, also infected with the virus, and with him, not only he learns to accept and respect the gay community, but he also finds a huge business opportunity therefore founding a Club where alternative treatment and medication is made available for buyers (most of them gay) according to a subscription monetary fee.

As a whole, the movie is beautifully directed. Woodroof’s struggle to survive, the way he proves the medical and pharmaceutical community wrong, and how he develops a compassionate and touching friendship with a once hated gay character are portrayed brilliantly. But even though the movie is truly well directed it wouldn’t achieve its greatness if it wasn’t for Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto’s performances. Both characterizations are brave! McConaughey went through fearless weight-loss and Leto’s is almost unrecognizable. Their acting is flawless being the most exciting and compelling ones I’ve seen from those nominated to the Oscars. For me, they are the two most serious contenders, with two performances for the ages.

While I was writing this review I was trying to decide whether this was the best AIDS-related movie I’ve seen so far, but it became a tough decision to make. I tried to compare it with Philadelphia, but it’s a daring thing to do. The feeling you get from both movies is the total opposite, one is truly dramatic and the other is full oh hope, so it isn’t a fair comparison to make. Still, if I had to pick the one I liked better, I would probably go with Philadelphia.

All in all, Dallas Buyers Club is certainly one of the most beautiful movies of the year, and as far as the Oscars go, I’d say it will take home both the best male performances (main and supporting role).