Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

"Dare to Live"

Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée
Produced by Robbie Brenner, Rachel Winter
Written by Craig Borten, Melisa Wallack
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto
Cinematography: Yves Bélanger
Edited by John Mac McMurphy, Martin Pensa
Production company: Truth Entertainment, Voltage Pictures

Distributed by Focus Features (US)
Release date: November 1, 2013 (United States)
Running time: 117 minutes
Country: United States
Budget: $5,000,000
Box office: $55,200,000

"Dallas Buyers Club" is a biopic drama film directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and written by Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack. It tells the story about Ron Woodroof, Dallas electrician and rodeo cowboy Ron Woodroof is diagnosed with AIDS and given 30 days to live. He's soon ostracized by family and friends, gets fired from his job, and is eventually evicted from his home. At the hospital, he is tended to by Dr. Eve Saks, who tells him that they are testing a drug called zidovudine (AZT), an antiretroviral drug which is thought to prolong the life of AIDS patients—and which is the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for testing on humans. Saks informs him that in the clinical trials, half the patients receive the drug and the other half are given a placebo, as this is the only way they can determine if the drug is working. What will fall to Ron's share?

Cast

• Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof
• Jennifer Garner as Dr. Eve Saks
• Jared Leto as Rayon
• Denis O'Hare as Dr. Sevard
• Steve Zahn as Tucker
• Michael O'Neill as Richard Barkley
• Dallas Roberts as David Wayne
• Griffin Dunne as Dr. Vass
• Kevin Rankin as T. J.
• Bradford Cox as "Sunflower"
• Adam Dunn as a bartender

The director of the film is Jean-Marc Vallée. He's also known with his other pictures such as "The Young Victoria" and "Café de Flore". "Dallas Buyers Club" turned out strict but hard-nosed. Losses, hopelessness. I watched this film and believed everything I saw. Yes, there're also many sexual scenes however they're needed for making a proper atmosphere and characters.

Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof is excellent. I can't use other words. He grew into his role absolutely right. No unnecessary movements, no superfluous glance. Everything is so that it should be. Jared Leto as Rayon surprised me not only with his appearance but also with his character of fictional trans woman. His transformation was really difficult both morally and physically. Unfortunately, I have almost nothing to say about the character of Jennifer Garner. An ordinary doctor who treats AIDS patients. But actions like this deserve well.

Advantages

• Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof
• Jared Leto as Rayon
• The story
• Music

Disadvantages

• Sometimes the film becomes too sentimental

"Strangenesses"

• Some details don't correspond to the time (like Eve Saks' TV)

Clue Moments

• Meeting with Rayon
• Starting business

First of all, it's significant that the film is not about drugs, sex or homosexuality. It shows that everyone has the right to choose how to live. Exactly each of us is able to be who she or wants to be. And we need to accept other people. For example, even an inveterate homophobic can revise his or her point of view. In my opinion, it has always been stupid to hate others just because they differ from you. Maybe it's time to change this standpoint?

All of us have a choice in any situation: you can fight for life or give up and die. The second one is always more simple. But what's about desire for living? I will never believe that someone have absolutely nothing to live for. Yes, there're many cruel fates in this world. However there also will be someone who got the worst of it. So dont forget to rejoice and enjoy your life. It's unique. It may also happen that everyone will turn their back upon you. But remind yourself that it isn't the end. In many situations help comes from people who you don't expect.

A conflict between medicine and self-medication is eternal, I suppose. Always there exist people who not admiting medicine treat themselves. It's their choice. But when doctors give someone up as a bad job, it isn't time to surrender. Your life is in your hands as well as your health. Do something.

Soundtracks

1. Shuggie Otis - Sweet Thang
2. The Naked And Famous - Following Morning
3. The Airborne Toxic Event - Hell And Back
4. My Morning Jacket - Ready To Be Called On
5. Blondfire - Life Of The Party
6. Fitz & The Tantrums - The Walker (Ryeland Allison Remix)
7. Tegan & Sara - Shudder To Think
8. Neon Trees - Mad Love (Acoustic)
9. Portugal. The Man - Main Man (1)
10. Capital Cities - Stayin' Alive
11. Cold War Kids - Romance Languages
12. Awolnation - Burn It Down (Innerpartysystem Remix)
13. Manchester Orchestra - After The Scripture
14. 30 Seconds To Mars - City Of Angels (Acoustic)
15. T. Rex - Main Man (2)
16. T. Rex - Life Is Strange

Quotations

* * *

Ron Woodroof: Let me give y'all a little news flash. There ain't nothin' out there can kill Ron Woodroof in 30 days.

* * *

Rayon: I've been looking for you, lone star.

* * *

Rayon: I'm Rayon.

Ron Woodroof: Congratulations... be off and go back to your bed.

* * *

Ron Woodroof: Watch what you eat and who you eat.

* * *

Dr. Eve Saks: None of those drugs have been approved by the FDA.

Ron Woodroof: Screw the FDA. I'm gonna be DOA.

* * *

Ron Woodroof: Guess who's going to Mexico, lookin' for a hot date?

Dr. Eve Saks: Do I look like someone who takes vacations?

Ron Woodroof: A little tequila, sunshine and tacos never hurt anybody.

* * *

Dr. Eve Saks: You're in the hospital. You almost died.

Ron Woodroof: I bet that didn't surprise anybody.

* * *

Dr. Sevard: You don't know what the drugs are. He's got HIV...

Tucker: Woodruff?

Ron Woodroof: AIDS... I got AIDS. Won't you come in, join the party.

* * *

Ron Woodroof: I got one... one life, right? Mine. But I want someone else's sometimes.

* * *
You may see the trailer here.

Plot: 7/10

Entertainment: 7/10

Acting: 9/10

Originality: 8/10

Music and Sound: 9/10

8/10