DALLAS BUYERS CLUB

Drama

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS

Matthew McConaughey: rodeo bull rider Ron Woodroof

Jennifer Garner: Dr. Eve Saks

Jared Leto: Rayon, a transgender woman

Steve Zahn: Ron’s brother Tucker

Griffin Dunne: Dr. Vass, expatriate American doctor

REVIEW

Based on the true story of Ron Woodroof’s fight against the system, it has its gritty side that may shock some people despite its R classification warning.

However the acting is the strong point: the performances by McConaughey and Leto are worth the price of admission alone. Perhaps a tad long at just under two hours, it moves along at a pretty good clip so it does not overstay its welcome.

CLASSIFICATION

 for pervasive language, some strong sexual content, nudity and drug use.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY

• In July 1985 two viruses were suspected of infecting AIDS patients, HTLV-III and LAV. Doctors did not use the term HIV until a year later when these two viruses were found to be the same thing.
• When Ron returns from Mexico the border agent asks for his passport which he gives him. In fact it was not until years later in 2004 that all travelers were required to present any document that denotes their identify and citizenship when entering the United States.
• Ron fires a shotgun blast that opens a hole the size of a dinner plate but well above the lockset so the door would still be locked and would not have opened when he pushed on it.

 P.S.

$400 in 1985 had the same buying power as $873 in 2013.