Many people may glance at a trailer for Dallas Buy ers Club, starring the popu lar romantic comedy actor Matthew McConaughey, and turn their cheek, but this is actually a movie you don’t want to miss. McConaughey takes on a far different role than his usual charming (and often shirtless) self and deliv ers an Oscar-worthy perfor mance.
Based on the true story of the real Ron Woodroof, an electrician and full-time drug user, Dallas Buyers Club fol lows one man’s journey on his mission to survive AIDS in a world that is not so familiar with the disease.
After finding out he has 30 days to live, Woodroof joins forces with an unlikely band of outcasts, whom he once would have shunned, to form a ‘buyers’ club, making unap proved HIV drugs available to other people with the ill ness. Many of his cohorts were played by big-name Hol lywood counterparts, includ ing 30 Seconds to Mars front man, Jared Leto.
Dallas Buyers Club isn’t exactly a feel-good movie, but Woodroof proves to be a character that is crude, lewd and racist, yet somehow en dearing as a guy who throws himself into medical text books and research papers to save his life and the lives of others. Somehow you can’t help but love him.
McConaughey easily gives the performance of his career as the blunt and clever Ron Woodroof. He conveys both sides of the cowboy with such ease, making it a film that can cause you to laugh and cry in a span of two hours.
It is worth noting that Mc Conaughey lost 38 pounds to play the role as Ron Wood roof. His complete trans formation goes above and beyond what many actors do for roles, exhibiting to all of Hollywood that he is more than his previous films peg him to be. The major weight loss and lifestyle change for almost seven months proves that he is an actor who is pushing his limits to go be yond what we had ever seen of him.
But McConaughey’s role is not the only one in the film worthy of noting in this rivet ing and relatable true story, but also his co-star Jared Leto. Leto stars as Wood roof ’s transsexual accom plice. Leto’s character, Rayon, is just the opposite of Wood roof: sensitive, considerate, not completely self-sufficient and a person who helps break down Woodroof’s homopho bic fears.
Although the story is about a disease that sucks the life out of its victims, the film manages to convey an ex tremely optomistic perspec tive and even frequent bouts of comedic relief.
Dallas Buyers Club proves that one man can make a dif ference, as we watch an un likely hero’s journey of self-discovery. Not only does he learn to accept people he used to scoff at, but he also saves some lives along the way.
Dallas Buyers Club is a must-see for all and will not disappoint critics or middle-aged women who want to see a shirtless cowboy.
