One person really can make a difference

Rating: 7/10 (20 April 2014)

Matthew McConaughey is downright scary in this movie. So gaunt he is barely recognizable, yet his intensity and commitment to the role of AIDS victim turned crusader Ron Woodroof is nothing short of astonishing. Is this the guy from Sahara? Not hardly.
This was a hard movie to watch. I can't say I enjoyed it, but I was deeply moved. I'm old enough to remember the AIDS crisis, which seems like forever ago now; I remember feeling slightly annoyed at how the gay community had manipulated the tragedy for political gain. I had no idea then what brave people were doing to try to and stay alive against the actions of the medical establishment as well as the government, which was deep in the pockets of pharmaceutical companies. This movie was eye-opening in more ways than one. I wish it had been made twenty years ago, when it was actually written. Shame on Hollywood for ignoring it for so long. Props to McConaughey for bringing it into the light. He deserves the Oscar, as does Jared Leto, who never ceases to amaze in his quest to get "closer to the edge" as an actor. Jennifer Garner doesn't get a whole lot to do as one of those "composite" characters that is mainly a mouthpiece for the movie's theme. But she rocks the eighties vibe just fine.