Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto
Ron Woodroof (McConaughey) is a homophobic electrician and bull-rider from Dallas, Texas. After he mysteriously collapses one night, Roy discovers he has tested HIV Positive, with his condition quickly developing into AIDS. Ron discovers experimental treatments from across national borders to help stall the disease and decides to sell them on to other people. However, the FDA and the medical community, backing a more dangerous drug, make life difficult for Ron and his associates.
Taken from the true story of Ron Woodroof, in execution Dallas Buyers Club seems to take comparable points from a couple of films. It has the LGBT social/historical perspective of Milk (2008) whilst also the notion of a businessman who, through pragmatism, becomes a hero like in Schindler's List (1993). Dallas Buyers Club however, does carve out something of a unique identity and is an engaging watch.
The centrepiece to the film is its performance which come to the fore rather than the period setting, Matthew McConaughey steps a little outside of his comfort zone (still the ol' southern country boy, but deliberately lacking a little of his usual slickness and looks) but more than holds his own, whilst Jared Leto's performance as Rayon, Roy's cross-dressing business partner is a moving portrayal of transvestism, calling comparisons with Chris Sarandon's brilliant turn in Dog Day Afternoon (1975).
A film very much trapped in its own period, whilst not visually bludgeoning the audience with obvious indicators of the 80's, the film has a slightly tentative grasp of the AIDS crisis, focusing mostly on the search for suitable medication. Whilst there are themes related to the rampant homophobia in the air as well as the hysterical misconceptions of HIV and AIDS at that point in time, it's a story element that could've been looked into further. Also, the film over-uses some motifs, especially a frequent high-pitched sustained tone when Roy begins to suffer the effects of his illness. Still, for all that the film has faults and flaws, Dallas Buyers Club has more going for it than it has against it. Those with an eye for a good drama could do worse than checking this out.
Dallas Buyers Club will go on wide release in the UK on the 7th of February.
Next time, another real-life drama as a mission in he Afghan foothills turns into a deadly game of personal survival. Mark Wahlberg stars in Lone Survivor.
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