Dallas Buyers Club
(2013)Dare to live.
True story drama with Matthew McConaughey (in a Golden Globe and Oscar-winning performance) as a womanising, redneck Texan staring down a 30-day death sentence when he is diagnosed HIV-positive. Not finding help through traditional means, he hustles his way around doctors and police in acquiring non-approved drug treatment.... More
Ron Woodroof 's free-wheeling life was overturned in 1985 with his terminal diagnosis. Learning of medicines lacking government approval, Woodroof took matters into his own hands, tracking down alternative treatments from all over the world by means both legal and illegal. Bypassing the establishment, he joined forces with an unlikely band of renegades and outcasts - brought to life by a supporting cast including Jared Leto, also a Golden Globe and Oscar-winner for his role - and established a hugely successful "buyers' club" to sidestep the law.
Leto and McConaughey, who reportedly lost over 17 kilograms for the role, are joined by a cast that includes Jennifer Garner, Steve Zahn and Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox in his film debut.Hide
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Best Lead Actor (McConaughey), Supporting Actor (Leto), Makeup & Hair, Academy Awards 2014; Best Actor, Drama (McConaughey) and Supporting Actor (Leto), Golden Globes 2014
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Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Steve Zahn, Dallas Roberts, Kevin Rankin, Denis O'Hare, Jane McNeill, Griffin Dunne, James DuMont, Bradford Cox
Written by Craig Borten, Melisa Wallack
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 6 providers
Flicks Review
BY Rebecca Barry Hill Flicks Writer
Ron Woodrof loved his cocaine, his women and his rodeo. He was also somewhat of a sado-masochist – perhaps that explains why he failed to notice himself wasting away. Enter Matthew McConaughey, whose 17kg weight loss playing the unlikely medical activist hasn’t weakened his on-screen presence. If anything, it has given him the wily, taut look of a man desperate to survive.... More
This is a film 20 years in the making and while it doesn’t feel as grand in scope, it’s a story with something to say, essentially a character-driven tale about a redneck cowboy facing his death. A few questions arise, one being why neither Woodrof nor his friends noticed he was so gaunt. But McConaughey, whose extreme physical and emotional commitment to the role makes him thoroughly deserving of his Golden Globe, is incredible in Woodrof’s skin, allowing even his worst traits a forgivable way to shine through.
When he begins to fight his disease and the injustices of those also suffering, McConaughey’s transformation is wholly satisfying – as is Jared Leto’s Golden-Globe-winning portrayal of transsexual Rayon, in which Leto amazingly transcends his smug personality. Rayon’s charismatic cheek adds a levity to a script somewhat laden with pharmaceutical references. Jennifer Garner as the sympathetic doc ain’t bad either.
Director Jean-Marc Valle doesn’t shy away from the visceral nature of the victims’ lifestyles or the disease, showing via woozy handheld photography their sex and drug lifestyle and declining health. Given the lack of over-sentimentality, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that it’s not the most emotionally engaging film. But Dallas Buyers Club is worth seeing for the impressive performances alone.Hide
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Dallas Buyers Club
BY thorinoak superstar
For McConaughey's and Leto's performances alone this is worth watching. But this touching true story will stay in your heart and mind for days to come. Highly recommended.
BY Zamm superstar
I loved everything about it - the harrowing realities of those who were greatly affected by AIDS in the mid-80s, Matthew McConaughey was deserving of his OSCAR in portraying a man's quest man to prolong his life, make money from his discovery and transformation to be genuinely fighting for a cause - which was his life and the lives of others suffering just like him. I love Jared Leto, too, he was also very deserving of his OSCAR.
BY Francis-Glenday grader
All credit to Mathew McConauhey and his apparent evolution into a quality actor, but i did not enjoy this film, at all. A glossy harkening back to the turgid sunday-night fare of the 80's.
The wife, on the other hand, thought it was amazeballs. Go figure.
BY Weds_Loafers superstar
Woodroof, shunned by all his friends (who presume he is gay) and unable to get on a drug... More trial, researches alternative drugs and smuggles them into Texas (mostly from Mexico). In real life, he was given 6 months to live and lasted a little over 7 years. Along the way he helped hundreds of AIDS sufferers.
Our average for this movie was 4.5 stars but 3 of us scored it at 5. Do go and see it.Hide
BY Olivia-Duncan nobody
What a remarkable story, about a pretty remarkable man. Grim subject matter but absolutely an gripping movie, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this movie. Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto are brilliant.
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The Press Reviews
94%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
McConaughey is currently the most exciting acting talent at work in movies. Full Review
If not wholly convincing as an 'issues' movie, this memoir is a triumph as an actors' showcase; with McConaughey and Leto giving the performances of their careers. Full Review
An affecting if conventional real-life story of medical activism... McConaughey brings a jolt of unpredictable energy. Full Review
Fits our Breaking Bad moment perfectly, offering a difficult hero whose personal code takes on an intriguing coherence. Full Review
It's a formulaic story that takes full advantage of these broad, familiar formulas to win viewers, but finds enough unique detail to retain its own identity. Full Review
McConaughey and Leto give terrific performances in this riveting and surprisingly relatable true story. Full Review
McConaughey delivers a twitchy, hostile performance on par with anything he's done since he escaped the rom com cul-de-sac. Full Review
Entertaining account of a rodeo redneck who becomes an unlikely angel in the AIDS struggle. Full Review
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