A flawed but gritty look at the rise of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980’s, led by a forceful performance from Matthew McConaughey.

What would you do if you could only survive by drastic measures?

This semi-true story follows Ron Woodroof, a womanizing drug addict who rides bulls in Texas rodeos, who learns he has the HIV virus. When he is told that medicine for his condition is not available due to FDA laws, Woodroof takes matters into his own hands and travels out of the country to obtain drugs that will help alleviate his symptoms. As he then goes on to smuggle the drugs into the country for others afflicted with AIDS, Ron finds himself in an all-out war with the FDA.

The Dallas Buyer’s Club is not a fun movie. While McConaughey gives an incredible performance in the lead role and the film raises many interesting questions, it just doesn’t ring completely true.

Yes, it will offend many (though that’s not necessarily always a bad thing). It might very well be an effective challenge to people of all religious and political affiliations who believe in being an advocate for the lepers of society, but too rarely are. But The Dallas Buyer’s Club is riddled with too much sexual content, runs too long, and features a genuinely odd style of storytelling that doesn’t seem to mesh with the point the film is trying to make.

+ One of McConaughey’s best performances
+ Flawless character arc for the main character

– Too long
– Too much sexual content that adds nothing to the story
– Odd editing choices

The Dallas Buyer’s Club features Matthew McConaughey in one of the roles his career will be defined by. But though it raises many timely questions and showcases a compelling story, the film just tries too hard to be something it’s not.

The Dallas Buyer’s Club is rated R for strong language, drug use, and sexual content. Much of the sexual content adds nothing to the storyline and is simply inappropriate. One of the main characters is also a transvestite. This film is not suitable for young audiences, and even adults who are easily offended might want to think about staying away.

© Matt Tory, 2013.