Dallas Buyers Club

Looks like SOMEBODY wants to be a real actor this year…

Directed by: Jean-Mark Vallée
Released: 2013
Starting: Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner, Denis O'Hare
Rated: R

  If I could give out ONE film award for all of 2013, it would be the "Congrats on finally becoming a real Actor" award and it would be given to one Matthew McConaughey. From Dazed and Confused to just about every Rom-Com in the past ten years, McConaughey resume has been far from impressive. A confident swagger, dark skin and blinding white teeth make him a romantic comedy casting directors dream; for years, and years...and years, that's all he did! Come 2011, something or someone gave McConaughey a swift kick in the behind and so began the slow crawl from hottie heartthrob to talented leading man. Yes, we still had to deal with relapses (the cringe worthy Magic Mike) but in just one year, McConaughey has given 2 of the best performances in his entire career. His primal, hilarious, and all too small role in The Wolf of Wall Street {Review HERE} and of course, Dallas Buyers Club.

  Dallas Buyers Club tells the real life story of Texan Ron Woodroof. An unashamed redneck and homophobe, Woodroof is diagnosed with AIDS and told he has 30 days to live. Determined to do whatever it takes to live, Woodroof seeks alternative treatments, eventually discovering the then unauthorized medication AZT. Upon it's discovery, along with several other drugs, Woodroof decides to make a buck while helping others with his condition. Assisted by the confident, transgendered Rayon, the two create a club dedicated to making money and healing those that hospitals and their FDA approved drugs couldn't.

McConaughey's transformation from stud to dud.

  I'm quite certain the term "He plays himself in every movie" was created to describe Matthew McConaughey; harsh, but true. It's a disease many in Hollywood suffer and almost impossible to escape, especially when one has such a distinct look, accent, and attitude as McConaughey. In Dallas Buyers Club, he does away with all but one, the accent of course. This film was about re-invention for McConaughey, both physically and emotionally. The actor dropped 47 pounds and his good looks to play Ron Woodroof; hustler, homophobe, and ailing AIDS patient. Protruding collar bones are not the only revolting thing about this character. Unlike his past roles, Woodroof is not a likable charmer, he's a hooker-loving member of Dallas' white trash community. McConaughey's charm and wit turn to sleazy words spoken by a greasy, foul mouthed low-life. Any sympathy that this character should have received from the audience is absent due to the fact he's a horrible human being. As the Doctor tell him of his positive AIDS test, the audience sits with a smug, serves you right attitude; however, Woodroof's journey and transformation quickly win viewers. Winning the viewers is perhaps not the correct word, but it feels right. McConaughey keeps his character consistent, it's not an overnight change from homophobic cowboy to hero of the AIDS/HIV community. Remaining relatively unlikeable for a good portion of the film, McConaughey's character develops an odd love/hate relationship with Jared Leto's color Rayon.

  In his return to film for the first time in four years, Jared Leto creates a character, much like
McConaughey's. Audiences will love Rayon for her vibrance and I don't give two shits what you think about me attitude, but her destructive tendencies are infuriating. Leto is obviously aware and plays it up throughout the film. Woodroof's partner in crime, Rayon is the lovable transgender woman who knows how to push buttons and get reactions. Leto can stand toe-to-to with McConaughey, in heels, and win the fight. The chemistry between the two is electric and real. They play off each other in a despising and eventually affectionate fashion that makes their friendship and the journey all the more emotional. Leto plays Rayon with a playfully destructiveness while McConaughey's Woodroof emits an over-guarded, seriousness that provides the film with a nice contrast between it's leads.
  The film itself is not particularly strong, staggering between dark comedy and serious social commentary. That being said, it's offers more than it's share of entertainment and emotion. This film is about transformation, and not only by the actors, but by the characters they portray. In the early portion of the film, Ron Woodroof is NOT a character the audience is cheering for, yet by the end he's somehow metamorphosed into a hero. Once he gets past his condemning, fearful attitudes, he's a pretty funny guy who just wants to help people…and make money.

Ron Woodroof isn't going down without a fight, and a couple extra dollars in his pocket.

 Dallas Buyers Club offers many a hearty laugh as well as big heart at it's center. Perhaps that's what took the film down a couple notches. Near the end was almost TOO heartfelt…
The first act plays as a serious drama, the second as a comical, developing friendship adventure, leaving a weak third act to dwell in limbo. The film jumps between it's moods too often, not wanting to commit to drama or comedy. I do believe a film can be a perfect blend of the two, but Dallas Buyers Club didn't quite make the cut.

  McConaughey and Leto give committed, strong performances, leaving fellow cast member Jennifer Garner lost and confused. And I don't mean this figuratively, Garner honestly looks lost in her role.   Her rapid blinking, taken aback face and constant look of worry don't play well in the film. She plays her character with a fragile restraint that doesn't meld with her cast members. Garner's was the only role I felt was mis-casted and slightly baffling in a company of break-out, rejuvenating performances.
  Previously one of my least favorite actors in Hollywood, McConaughey proved to me he can do serious work just as well, if not better than charming rom-coms. Dallas Buyers Club is one of the better comical films of 2013; one I would watch again and recommend based on the excellence of it's male performances. Dallas Buyers Club is a prime film that shows audiences history and the people behind it. Heartbreaking and heartwarming, the topic of HIV/AIDS is still important today and even more important is the message of acceptance and love that Dallas illustrates.

  McConaughey and Leto's Golden Globes were much deserved however, both actors missed out on an opportunity to raise awareness on the subjects they depicted. I was disappointed by both speeches, the men took the chance to congratulate themselves on their transformations and the "scarifies" they made in developing their characters rather than addressing the real people dealing with HIV/AIDS. Leto hinted at it in the end of his speech, but McConaughey's acceptant was truly devastating. Sadly it came off as self righteous, self congratulatory and reaffirm my belief he, as a person, is somewhat of a Southern airhead. But I'm not here to comment on MacConaughey's behavior or vanity issues; I'm here to tell you that he's branching out, he's testing the waters, he is finally becoming a real actor. I only hope that, should he or Leto again get the chance to accept an award, they recognize the true scarifies real people have made while dealing with HIV/AIDS and acknowledge them for their bravery.