Today’s quick review: Dallas Buyers Club. Ron Woodroof (Matthew McConaughey), a hard-partying electrician from Dallas, has his life turned upside-down when he’s diagnosed with HIV. Upset with the treatment the hospital is giving him, Ron starts importing experimental medicine from Mexico and selling it to other HIV patients. But distributing unapproved drugs puts him in the crosshairs of the FDA, who take action to shut his business down.
Dallas Buyers Club is a drama based on a true story. The movie follows Ron Woodroof as he learns of his terminal diagnosis, searches for alternative treatments, and defies the medical establishment to get his fellow patients the medicine they need. His allies on his journey are Rayon (Jared Leto), a gay man who’s also suffering from the disease, and Dr. Eve Saks (Jennifer Garner), a doctor who becomes skeptical of the FDA’s HIV drug trials.
The heart of Dallas Buyers Club is Ron’s growth as a person. He begins the story as a stubborn, bigoted hedonist, but his HIV diagnosis forces him to change his perspective. Out of necessity, Ron starts to take better care of himself, while his interactions with Rayon and his gay customers make him more receptive of a group he once despised. Throughout it all, Ron retains his tenacity and his refusal to accept the hand he’s dealt.
The other side of Ron’s story is his battle with the FDA to continue to distribute his unconventional but potentially life-saving medicine. Ron uses hard work and determination to turn his illness into a profitable business, and in doing so he gives a chance to hundreds of people. The balance between Ron’s flaws and his virtues, as well as his underdog struggle against the FDA, gives Dallas Buyers Club the foundation for an effective story.
How much you get out of Dallas Buyers Club will largely come down to taste. The movie excels at realistic drama, thanks to compelling subject matter and a set of impressive performances. It is a strong pick for those interested in AIDS treatment in the 1980s or down-to-earth biographies in general. Its heavy tone, abrasive protagonist, and sensitive subject matter will not work for everyone, but the movie is well worth a shot for anyone interested.
For a legal drama dealing with the social issues surrounding AIDS, check out Philadelphia. For a more harrowing story about a selfish man forced to become a hero to those around him, try Schindler’s List. For a vengeful drama about a flawed protagonist fighting for justice, try Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for solid craftsmanship, with the potential to be much higher for viewers who engage with the story.