Matthew McConaughey is having a dream run of late – his career
revival has been so impressive that it has taken a lot of movie pundits by
surprise. Movies like “The Lincoln Lawyer”, “Mud” and his one amazing scene in “The
Wolf of Wall Street”, and TV show “True Detective” have showcased his immense
talent. And now, he is given Leonardo Di Caprio a run for his money for the
best actor Oscar, with a performance where he literally transforms himself.
With Dallas Buyers Club, McConaughey has got a role deserving of an actor of
his calibre.
McConaughey stars as Ron Woodroof, an AIDS patient who smuggled
unapproved pharmaceutical drugs into Texas when he found them effective at
improving his symptoms, distributing them to fellow sufferers by establishing
the eponymous "Dallas Buyers Club" while facing opposition from the
Food and Drug Administration. He strikes an unlikely alliance with transvestite
Rayon (Jared Leto, in what should be an Oscar winning performance), and gets
support from the understanding Dr. Eve Saks (Jennifer Garner). The movie shows
the transformation of Woodroof from an unlikeable, ignorant, homophobic redneck
to an unlikely crusader for those affected by HIV.
Dallas Buyers Club runs like most biopics do, focusing on
the transformation of its protagonist in the face of adversary. The movie
benefits from a really emotional and inspirational story, which is well adapted
to the screen. The narrative could have easily slipped into a melodramatic
mess, but assured screenplay and direction ensure that the scenes are
beautifully understated. There are some endearing moments, mostly between
Woodroof and Rayon. One scene that comes to mind is where Woodroof asks a
friend of his to shake hands with Rayon at a supermarket. It’s just perfect.
The movie can be a slog and an uncomfortable watch at moments,
since the pace slackens every now and then. With a very serious theme, Dallas
Buyers Club is not necessarily an enjoyable movie. It’s definitely not for the
casual viewer, and many viewers would be turned off by the heavy subject
matter. But it is an important movie, and sheds a light at the flawed system
and the corruption and bureaucratic issues in an important agency like the FDA.
And though it can be depressing, there is no doubt that it is a very
inspirational and eventually, a heart-warming movie.
The movie, however, succeeds mostly because of the performances. Jennifer Garner is the perfect fit for the sympathetic Dr. Eve Saks,
and provides a good foil for the leads. The other supporting actors also perform
their parts well. But the two performances that really form the backbone of the
movie are from Jared Leto and, of course, Matthew McConaughey. Both have shed
the pounds, and yet carry the entire movie on their lean shoulders. Jared Leto
will almost certainly win the Oscar for best supporting actor. It’s not the
easiest role, and Leto balances the comic relief and the emotional, gut
wrenching moments with considerable ease. It’s a memorable performance, and one
that is truly deserving of all the praise that it is getting. As for
McConaughey, well, let’s just say that it’s a landmark performance. He plays
the role with brutal honesty, and the vulnerability of the character, and his
shift in character doesn’t feel forced or contrived in any way. It’s a
difficult role, and McConaughey just runs with it. I hope to see more from him soon.
To sum up, the movie is undoubtedly good, though it may not be
for everyone. However, there is no doubting that this movie is a showcase of
some amazing acting. And for that alone, I think it is worth a watch.
P.S.: The Oscar for Best Actor this year may be one of the
most closest. I, for one, can’t really pick between the two actors who have
essayed real life characters. While “The Wolf of Wall Street” is more
unconventional, “Dallas Buyers Club” is the kind of movie that the Oscars jury
usually tend to love. In a tight race where there’s not much to choose from between
Di Caprio and McConaughey, could this be the difference? Your guess is as good
as mine. Until tomorrow.
