Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

 

 Director-Jean-Marc Vallée

Length-117 min.

Rated-R

This is a truly inspiring tale of a man who tested HIV positive and his long road to recovery. Including all the hoops he had to jump through in order to get the medication he needed to survive. But it's also about overcoming homophobia and realizing who your true friends are.

This film begins with the introduction of our main character, Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey); the shit talkin', hooker lovin', whiskey shootin', bull ridin' fool. Woodroof carries on a life of ill-repute, full of excessive drug use and drinking, which would be detrimental to any one's health, but especially for someone fighting the AIDS virus. Eventually Woodroof's lifestyle catches up with him and he ends up in a hospital bed. On that very bed, he learns of his inevitable fate. Told he only has a month to live, he promises his two doctors that he will overcome such obstacles.

As the film continues, Woodroof comes into contact with Rayon (Jared Leto), the cross-dressing beauty that he eventually partners with in his attempt to bring affordable health care to those also battling with AIDS.

Woodroof's bigotry is extremely apparent at film's beginning, but lessens immensely as he befriends so many of these struggling young men. This film is an eye opening experience for anyone unaware of the AIDS epidemic and how it effected the homosexual community.

There is no happy ending to this incredible film, just a reality check to those unaccepting of homosexuality and a nice middle finger to the FDA.

But this was by far the best film I've seen in quite some time and although the sexuality and drug use/drinking may be a bit too much for some, it was necessary to tell this true story with full discretion. I loved this film and I think everyone should check it out, for it's not only a fantastic film, but a historical tale of love and compassion when there was very little to be found. Dallas Buyers Club.