In "Dallas Buyers Club," McConaughey portrays real-life Texas electrician Ron Woodroof, an ordinary man who found himself in a life-or-death battle with the medical establishment and pharmaceutical companies. In 1986, Ron was blindsided by being diagnosed as HIV-positive and given 30 days to live. With the U.S. still internally divided over how to combat the virus and restricting medications, Ron grabbed hold of non-toxic alternative treatments from all over the world by means both legal and illegal. Seeking to avoid government sanctions against selling non-approved medicines and supplements, he established a “buyers club,” which fellow HIV-positive people could join for access to his supplies.

MOVIE REVIEW

If you want to win an Academy Award, a good first step is to lose 40 or 50 pounds. The second step: play a redeemable homophobic hick who finds a second calling when he is diagnosed with AIDS. Another route: play a dying, cross-dressing drug addict. You'll see both strategies on display in Dallas Buyers Club, a good movie elevated by terrific performances.
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