Monopolies and bureaucracy can expedite your death...

Rating: 8/10 (20 February 2014)

Health is the most important thing to everyone, that is way people do everything to preserve it, and - in the event of mortal danger - find ways to postpone it as much as possible. Based largely on real events and characters, Dallas Buyers Club rises painful but important issues regarding discretion/sovereignty, health care, medical tests, marketing of pharmaceuticals - among others. I personally can understand respective arguments given by the authorities, except for the mortally ill; I find that those people should use each and every opportunity for getting better as worsening of health is no subject here anymore.
All the above is dealt in a gripping manner, and even if you guess the outcomes, it is still interesting to follow the events and ponder on and over different attitudes, ways of life and activities. And the two most colorful types: Matthew McConaughey as Ron Woodroof and Jared Leto as Rayon/Raymond - with both big physical and spiritual sacrifices in preparing for the roles, the outcome is superb, and I really hope they will get their Academy Awards they fully deserve. They outperform all the others, and following them on screen enables to feel both passion and compassion in this gloomy and rather hopeless surroundings.
All in all, Dallas Buyers Club is a good movie, but the topics and approaches make it difficult to watch it repeatedly or recommend it to everyone (including those with contacts with fatal diseases) - similar to e.g. Philadelphia or Leaving Las Vegas.