Review of Dallas Buyers Club (2013) by Thomas P — 24 Sep 2014

Crass, gritty, shocking, indelibly realistic- not for the squeamish. Def an anti-hero movie, and not a testament to the greatness of Dallas.

A burgeoning nugget of goodness from a cesspool of unredeemed, self-centered ambition.

I knew it wouldn't be pretty, but this is rather seedy and absolutely unflattering. Not that I expect an 8 X 10 glossy either, but I didn't want my nose rubbed in the stinking filth.

McConaughey and Leto shock with their emaciated appearances and contrasting fierce wills-of-iron.

A marvel of focus, commitment, and consistency from both.

Fine performances - deserving Oscars.

I'm sure the rave reviews are for the fearless clarity, poignancy, and stunningly conveyed reality.

Just not my cup of tea.

I lived in Dallas for 3 yrs, and looked fwd to this story of a rebel who saves his own life and parlays that into a business that inadvertently saves other's lives in the process.

But it's a gruff portrayal - akin to digging thru stinking garbage to find lost trinkets - admirable, but not for everyone.

It stays with you, along with the queasiness.

I'll call it unnecessary roughness.

3 out of 5 hard-to-swallow pills.