Dallas Buyers Club

Ron Woodroof, the epitome of an anti-hero...

Vallée simply refuses to take this film down the avenue of sentimentality...the tear-jerking opportunities were there in abundance. Thankfully, resisted.

This is a political film without the politics - Ronald Reagan is not even mentioned. Quite fitting really, he chose to ignore HIV/AIDS, this film chose to ignore him and his ignorance.

This is simply a film about survival...when all else fails, when there is nowhere else to go, when all hope is gone, when no-one cares...there are only two options: resist or resign.

Ron Woodroof resisted...a vile man who found his heart...and, fought as hard as he drank.

The performances by McConaughey and Leto will, without doubt, take your breath away. Their transformations - not just the physical deterioration - but, the emotional rollercoaster that they travel is nothing short of, dare we say...inspirational.

Money and survival go hand-in-hand in a modern world polluted by politics, littered by red-tape, strewn with hate and driven by greed...and, as vicious as that may sound, the harsh reality is...it's true. Here's the unequivocal proof...

As said, this is not a sentimental film but it does play with sentiments, there will be booing and hissing, laughing and clapping. And then, there are a few brief moments when absolute beauty prevails...the butterflies, a look from Leto...

The cinematography has to be mentioned. Exceptional.

The direction: clean, crisp and precise.

The writing: the anti-hero becomes [almost] the hero...now, that's a character arc!

But...it's McConaughey and Leto who shine...brightest...for those no longer here.

Now, we cry.

Trailer...