An imperfect man fights for survival during an uncertain time in America. Dallas Buyers Club – movie review…
Inspired by true events, Matthew McConaughey portrays the real-life character Ron Woodroof, whose story of strength and self-interest is galvanized into something much more.
It is in the year 1985 where Ron Woodroof worked as an electrician and doubles up as a rodeo cowboy in Texas. He is well into an unexamined existence with a devil-may-care lifestyle. Suddenly, Ron is blindsided by being diagnosed as H.I.V. positive and given 30 days to live. He is shattered, yet he will not, and does not, accept a death sentence.
Ron is instantly ostracized by family and friends, gets fired from his job, and is eventually evicted from his home.
It is Dr. Eve Saks (Jennifer Garner) at the hospital, who informs him that there is a drug called zidovudine (AZT), an antiretroviral drug which supposedly prolongs the life of AIDS patients, and this is the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for testing on humans.
However, Ron finds his health deteriorating as he takes on this treatment. Then researches on the subject which then reveals a lack of approved treatments and medications in the U.S., so Ron crosses the border into Mexico.
It is only when he drives to a Mexican hospital Dr. Vass (Griffin Dunne), prescribes him DDC and the protein peptide T, which unfortunately were not approved in the US.
Ron manages to smuggle in this new drug, and some months later, finds his health much improved. He is well versed with the alternative treatments and begins smuggling them into the U.S., challenging the medical and scientific community.
An outsider to the gay community, Ron finds an unlikely ally in fellow AIDS patient Rayon (Jared Leto), a transsexual who shares Ron’s lust for life. Rayon also shares Ron’s entrepreneurial spirit: seeking to avoid government sanctions against selling non-approved medicines and supplements, they establish a “buyers club,” where H.I.V.-positive people pay monthly dues for access to the newly acquired supplies.
Deep in the heart of Texas, Ron’s pioneering underground collective beats loud and strong. With a growing community of friends and clients, Ron fights for dignity, education, and acceptance. In the years following his diagnosis, the embattled Lone Star loner lives life to the fullest like never before.
Brilliant performances by Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof and Jared Leto as Rayon. It is a touching tale of a HIV positive patient and his will to fight for his life.
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Cast:
Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof
Jared Leto as Rayon
Jennifer Garner as Eve
Denis O’Hare as Dr. Sevard
Steve Zahn as Tucker
Griffin Dunne as Dr. Vass
Credits:
Presented by Focus Features and Truth Entertainment
Produced by Voltage Pictures/R² Films/Evolution Independent
Produced by Robbie Brenner, Rachel Winter
Written by Craig Borten & Melisa Wallack
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée
Casting by Kerry Barden, Paul Schnee and Rich Delia
Costume Designers – Kurt and Bart
Editors – John Mac McMurphy, Martin Pensa
Production Designer – John Paino
Director of Photography – Yves Bélanger, CSC
Co-Producers – Michael Sledd, Parry Creedon
Executive Producers – David Bushell, Nathan Ross, Tony Notargiacomo, Joe Newcomb, Nicolas Chartier, Zev Foreman, Logan Levy,
Holly Wiersma, Cassian Elwes
Released thru Focus Features
Photos Credit: Anne Marie Fox / Focus Features
