DALLAS BUYERS CLUB

Basically…
Homophobic redneck rodeo, Ron Woodruff, (Matthew McConaughey) is diagnosed as HIV positive in 1985 Texas. With medical advances still in the early days, he turns to the black market in a bid to save his own life, and in turn others’ too. This true story shows Ron’s defiance against death and the lessons he reluctantly learns along the way. 

In other words…
One man stares death in the face and says fuck you.

The main men and leading ladies…
It’s still hard to shake the chick flick Matthew McConaughey from my mind – the leaning poster poses, smug smiles, sickly sweet storylines – Failure to Launch, The Wedding Planner and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days are enough to leave mental scars for a lifetime. But like Leonardo DiCaprio tirelessly fought to shake off the heart throb Titanic stigma, McConaughey has faced a similar battle with his early car crash of a CV. But while his crimes to cinema were far worse than DiCaprio’s, McConaughey is finally reaching a stage in his career where we can start to forgive him. Killer Joe, Mud, Paperboy, even his short (but delightful) role in The Wolf of Wall Street is evidence the romcom king has moved on to pastures new. His harrowing depiction of care-free Ron is well worthy of his Academy Award nomination, even before you take into account the startling amount of weight he had to lose for the role. He’s tipped to win the Oscar for Best Actor, and while DiCaprio should pip him to the post, few will grudge him that inevitable winners’ walk to the podium. 

In the chair…
Jean-Marc Vallee’s previous work includes The Young Victoria and Café de Flore but it’s his next release that bears the most resemblance to Dallas Buyers Club. Wild is the story, based on the Nick Hornby novel, of a woman who faces her demons by escaping through her hiking hobby. Her transformation is already well underway before she realises it’s happening, in a similar way Ron is initially oblivious. 

So…?
Ever googled your symptoms only to be told you’re dying, or had your GP tell you it’s just a virus trusty painkillers won't fix? Few are satisfied with the medical advice we get on a daily basis but for Ron, his contention with the FDA is a far bigger bone to chew. The fact this story is true makes it both remarkable and sickening to see how uneducated the medical world was at that time with regards to AIDs. Refreshing to see a hard-hitting movie with such a strong message not get dragged down by falling into the pretentious Oscar bait category (12 Years a Slave cough cough), this delivered a gritty, eye-opening and delightfully uncomfortable ride of rebellion instead. Special mention also has to go to the excellent Jared Leto who plays the transsexual Raylon, a character who warms even the heart of the disgusted Ron. 

Worth the money?
It’s a hot favourite for awards season so go and see what all the fuss is about.