Matthew McConaughey's transformation

Rating: Null/10 (25 February 2014)

It is really amusing to see two of this year's Oscar Best Actor contestants orchestrate a mirror-opposite transformation: Matthew McConaughey shedding 40 pounds which seems to have gone straight to Christian Bale! But such sacrifices in the name of art will always be dwarfed when compared with Charlize Theron in "Monster" (2003).
But then, "transformation" in McConaughey's case is not only in this physical context. I must confess that a whistle of disbelief escaped me when I saw that he won the Golden Globe, and not in the "Musical or comedy" category! But I should know better. Even when I didn't watch "Mud" (2012) (which I intended to do but just couldn't make the time), I remember reading about how he has served notice that he has come a long way from the pretty face with enviable biceps in "Sahara" (2005). "Dallas Buyers Club" cements this transformation, with not only the aforementioned win, but also Critics' Choice. Oscar is 5 days away, and the world is holding its breath.
The true story of Ron Woodroof in the 80s inspired this movie which strives on several favorite elements for makers of motion pictures. The story is about how Woodroof, diagnosis with H.I.V. and a month to live, persevered for another seven years during which he helped hundreds of fellow patients via the ingenuous titular vehicle through which he distributed drugs (supplemented by health products) technically not legally marketable, but ironically already FDA approved.
Of the drama-generating "elements" alluded to above, the most significant is the well-proved David-Goliath scenario: underdog vs big power. Against the self-interest of governing bodies (FDA leading the pack which includes IRA, Customs and Immigration etc) and big business, Woodroof struggles to get these "prohibited" drugs into the country for distribution to people whose life depend on them. While homosexuality is not really a key subject matter for this movie, whenever A.I.D. is involved, it inevitably becomes an issue, particularly in the 80s. And then, there is this also a familiar "odd couple" situation involving Woodroof and his business partner, a sensitive, vulnerable transvestite brilliantly portrayed by Jared Leto who, just like McConaughey, is on his way to Oscar showdown carrying the double honor of Golden Globe and Critics' Choice wins. The fact that Woodroof starts out as an out-and-out redneck and homophobic makes this unlikely development of business partnership particularly intriguing, and ultimately friendship that much more poignant.
While this movie has its share of sex scenes, particularly in the beginning when Woodroof is a pleasure-seeking rodeo cowboy, there is only the faintest hint of romance, if at all, between our protagonist transformed and a sympathetic doctor portrayed capably by Jennifer Garner.