Mickster Movie Review - "Dallas Buyers Club" (2013) ***

     Two films that I absolutely love, Philadelphia and And The Band Played On, both are human interest stories revolving around the AIDS epidemic and the struggles people with the disease, or combating it, went through, especially in its earliest days. One of the primary criticisms of the Reagan administration was his failure to acknowledge the seriousness of AIDS and do more to stop it early. Too many people viewed it strictly as a "gay disease" and did not want to be associated with it. We've learned now that while it was prevalent in the gay community, anyone was capable of getting AIDS through several different methods. Ron Woodroof was one such gentleman who contracted the virus, not by being homosexual, but living a life that was irresponsible and risky. He could have passed on and been one of the many victims of AIDS who was able to do nothing, but Woodroof did not accept his diagnosis and set out to fight it any way he could, changing his legacy in the process.

     Ron Woodroof is portrayed by Matthew McConaughey, who continues his career renaissance that started a couple of years ago, and will likely land him an Oscar for his efforts. Woodroof is an electrician and part-time rodeo bull rider, who lives an outgoing life defined by drugs, alcohol and his many different sex partners. He is a racist and homophobe who is about to get the biggest shock of his life. After passing out one night, he is taken to the hospital, where after running blood tests he is told that he has AIDS and only has about 30 days to live. Woodroof does not accept the diagnosis because he believes the disease is strictly a homosexual one. He storms out of the hospital and goes back to living his carefree ways. But the news sits on his mind and he starts doing research, eventually coming to the realization that it is possible for him to have it. He becomes ostracized by his friends and coworkers who pick on him for being queer, an accusation that causes him to confront his friends. When he is placed on an experimental medication called AZT, he learns that the medicine actually does more harm than good and sets out to fight the medical system. He sees a "doctor" in Mexico who introduces him to better medication for AIDS but the drugs are not approved for use in America. Woodroof befriends a transvestite named Rayon (Jared Leto) who has connections in the gay community. Together the two become "drug dealers" to the AIDS community in an effort to combat the medical and political machines who are more interested in profits than curing people.

     Dallas Buyers Club is good but I felt like I wanted a little more from it. McConaughey and Leto have been cleaning up the Acting and Supporting Actor awards in the various awards shows leading up to the Oscars. They are both the favorites to take home the gold statues on March 2nd. Leto plays a very challenging role as a transvestite, but I feel he is getting attention just because of that, not necessarily for the performance which I think is just okay. I understand the praise more for McConaughey but even then, I don't even consider it his best role from this past year. I think his turn in Mud was even better. Jennifer Garner is also decent as a doctor who sympathizes with both Ron and Rayon's situations. I may be coming off a little tough on this movie, but I really thought this was going to be one of the two or three best of all the nominations, and instead I think it will be more towards the bottom. So while it is good, and I do recommend it by all means, I was wanting more and I didn't quite get it. A good movie for sure, but not necessarily a best picture.

Mickster