Dallas Buyers Club (2013) Review

4/5

This film is topical, heart-wrenching, and passionate with two of the best performances you will see all year in Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto.
What this film succeeds in is a desire to make you feel hopeful as opposed to overwhelmed by the gravity of what is happening. A fantastic script helps sway you to and from each scene with a kind of grace that doesn't let the sadness overpower the hope that vibrates through the film.
Jean-Marc Vallé has crafted a wonderful, with its angles and editing unique and fresh, keeping the film alive and moving (except a brief late second act dry spell) and getting you into the life of Ron Woodruff, convincing you he is a good guy despite his controversial views on things.
McConaughey is phenomenal, transforming his appearance and his demeanor to become a man who has a terminal illness but refuses to die without making a change. His gruff attitude towards those around him and his incredible sensibilities make this a performance worth watching throughout Oscar season, and one to be respected immensely. Jared Leto is something of superhero; every film he is in is made better by his presence, and he has an incredibly popular rock band '30 Seconds to Mars.' How does he pull it off, time after time. As Rayon, he shines with his innocence and will to live, and he will break your heart and put it back together in almost every scene. Best Supporting Actor is shaping up to be quite a race this year.
While it isn't perfect, is it a must-see film and I do believe it will enjoy a strong box office run and inspire conversation in many different areas.