Review of Dallas Buyers Club (2013) by Matthew D — 14 Jan 2019

A harrowing watch of a man withering away due to HIV/AIDS.

Dallas Buyers Club (2013) is one of the finest films ever made. Director Jean-Marc Vallee matches slick panning shots and rapid fire cuts with devastating close up shots and long held shots on characters to rip the emotions out of you. Dallas Buyers Club is well crafted by Vallee with a careful purpose to not go too far to offend the subjects or people like them. Dallas Buyers Club is a success of human empathy in understanding the victims of a terrible disease with no cure and only treatment.

Treatment is the main theme in Dallas Buyers Club as we see a man treated poorly by others and he once did to them, so that he must change in order to help treat other patients of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Here as we follow Matthew McConaughey's brilliant and awe inspiring performance as Ron Woodroof. His treatment by doctors, of doctors, and instead of doctors leaves a hole in your heart. His massive weight loss is startling to witness with his gaunt frame and hollow eyes. But McConaughey's real talent is in portraying the complex humanity in Woodroof, who goes from a wastrel homophobe to a brave survivor that helps others live on despite their illness. McConaughey is brilliant in Dallas Buyers Club and certainly earned his Best Actor Oscar. He gave a sincere and hard to watch realistic display of empathy and compassion. He is an incredible actor.

Similarly, Jared Leto goes all in as the highly effeminate Rayon. His tender voice and kindly persona give Rayon a warm welcoming vibe that is quite endearing. I found his portrayal of this dying angel to feel sincere, captivating, and heartrending. There is a profound sadness to his character that feels hopeless, but his lively personality lends a genuine charm to Dallas Buyers Club. I love Jared Leto in Dallas Buyers Club and I am glad he won Best Supporting Actor for such a powerful performance.

Lastly, I must mention that Jennifer Garner gives what is perhaps her greatest acting performance alongside two outstanding acting depictions from McConaughey and Leto. Garner feels so genuine as a doctor that desperately wants to help her dying patients. She comes across as very sweet and intelligent.

Dallas Buyers Club feels all the more important as it brings to light the FDA and federal government's profiteering off of dying patients in order to prevent their curing. Doctors and businesses refusing to hear, help, or accept outside research is shocking and upsetting to see. Who knows how many have died who could have been treated with better medicine instead of dying at the hands of doctors just prescribing what they are told to by the FDA. Dallas Buyers Club thus feels immediate and significant. There should be serious change in the world of medicine as medical costs still skyrocket in America as millions go without coverage or health insurance. Where will the dying get their medicine and treatment from if not from the doctors? Dallas Buyers Club gives an alternative that is worth hearing.

I highly recommend Dallas Buyers Club as a gripping biopic of immense sorrow and hardship, while doubling as a humanistic drama of understanding those that are different that you. Dallas Buyers Club also perseveres as a infuriating account of medical reform that is so very necessary.