Review of Dallas Buyers Club (2013) by Kevin C — 19 Jul 2014

And so the McConaissance leads to an Oscar, and RIGHTLY SO!!

AIDS, the so-called Gay plague, 80s prejudice; and Pharmaceutical corruption sounds grim. However this is a film made special by its sense of defiance and scabrous humour. Ron and Rayon simply don't accept their role as victims.

McConaughey has always been underestimated as an actor, I may have mentioned it a 1,000 times! Here, he gives an astonishing performance that combines sleaziness and venality; with dignity and pathos.

Ron and his business partner, the HIV-positive Rayon make a memorable odd couple. One a macho redneck and the other a Marc Bolan-obsessed transgender woman. Leto is just as superb as a character self-reliant but intensely vulnerable. Their handshake/hug is incredibly moving.

The tone is just right throughout. The film doesn't trivialise the plight of the HIV+ protagonists in pursuit of easy laughs. Nor does it go for mawkishness or heavy-handed solemnity. In many ways this is like The Wire, a story about American entrepreneurialism. Ron and Rayon are hustlers responding to market forces.

This captures the 80 paranoia perfectly, and is still thoroughly uplifting to watch. A great tale of the underdogs fighting back against the odds.