Directed by:
Jean-Marc ValléeCinematography:
Yves BélangerCast:
Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner, Steve Zahn, Denis O'Hare, Griffin Dunne, Kevin Rankin, James DuMont, Philippe Radelet, Juliet Reeves (more)VOD (5)
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Winner of three Academy Awards, including Best Actor (Matthew McConaughey) and Best Supporting Actor (Jared Leto), Dallas Buyers Club tells the story of Texan electrician Ron Woodroof and his battle with the medical establishment and pharmaceutical companies after being diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1986. An outsider to the gay community, Ron finds an unlikely ally in fellow AIDS patient Rayon and together they campaign and search for alternative treatments, establishing a way in which fellow HIV-positive patients could join and access their supplies. (Entertainment One)
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Reviews (15)
How to live with HIV, not giving in to anyone or anything, cursing and going all out until the very end. Matthew McConaughey refuses to cry or laugh superficially and takes it head-on through all obstacles, even when it could be the last day of his life. And today could quite possibly be that last day. A sincere drama that is most lovable precisely because, just like the main character, it remains true to itself the entire time.
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-Thank You. -Fuck off! Breaking Good? Not entirely. Dallas Buyers Club is surprisingly not an emotionally manipulative drama about the belated awakening of a homophobe. It is rather a sober film – in terms of both form and content – that instead of glorifying Woodroof, admits that this cowboy did not deserve any exaggerated compassion even after he contracted AIDS. The effort taken to not harp on the protagonist’s suffering and to simply depict him corresponds to the objectiveness of the form (filming without additional artificial lighting, documentary-style asymmetrical shot compositions, non-evocative use of music). If the film isn’t emotionally cold, that’s particularly due to the gaunt McConaughey, who lost approximately 20 kilos for his role as Woodroof. Even though he plays only a shadow of his heroes from other films, he never loses the sparkle in his eye. The way that he combines inordinate self-confidence, blatant impudence and admirable tenacity makes the protagonist an ideal campaigner against the (medical) establishment, which expects nothing more from its nemesis, who personifies the indomitable nature of American ambition, than the fact that he will soon die. Also fascinating especially for his physical transformation is Jared Leto, whose scenes with McConaughey are remotely reminiscent of Midnight Cowboy, another film that didn’t take itself too seriously and, on the other hand, neither revelled in its serious subject matter nor trivialised it. 75%
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Matthew is on damn good form and he’s delicious in this winning movie. We’ve seen the topic of AIDS and struggling against villainous corporations (“Fuckin’ FDA") many times before, but I can’t remember that it’s ever been served up with such style before. The life that his sickness brings with it is surprisingly fuller and more interesting - after all, he went to Japan and founded a fairly successful business. In terms of acting, this is top league on top form, Jared Leto was more convincing as a woman than as a man! It’s for personal consumption.
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Academics and the majority of people were once again fooled by the placebo, similarly to some of the patients in this film. The serious existential theme darkened their minds and for two hours, the classic standards of cinema ceased to function, meaning that what we usually see as bad in other films does not exist here. This film is small, modest, and undoubtedly serious and alarming in its theme, forcing us to reflect. However, besides brilliant performances, the witty dialogues, and the excellent costumes, there is nothing so revolutionary about it that would justify treating it as the film of the year. Ultimately, it doesn't say that much, though it should also be noted that it doesn't impose or force anything. So, as a historical reconstruction it’s okay, but it falls far from being a captivating film. I wasn't thrilled; I was satisfied, without being extremely enriched.
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It's basically just another entry in a long line of biopics about an individual's struggle against the rest of society, which also rather lacks a greater sympathy for the contradictory and sinful main character. However, the sly McConaughey gives a wonderful performance that is so convincing and chilling in its scope and detail that it alone secures the film's status as a thought-provoking and noble tale. And he’s strongly supported by Jared Leto, who looks absolutely terrible, but no other actor today could probably portray his difficult role so impressively. A small actor's film that has its value at first, but watching it again seems as pointless as forcing Keira Knightley to start eating meat.)) Also, Jennifer Garner is so cute! 75%
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