‘Dallas Buyers Club’ DVD Review: Matthew McConaughey’s Finest Work to Date

After seeing Dallas Buyers Club, I can safely say that I don’t think it’s going to be Leonardo DiCaprio’s year to win the much coveted (and overdue in his case) Oscar for Best Lead Actor. This film is Matthew McConaughey’s finest work to date, and I would venture to say he’s a sure-thing for this year’s Academy Awards. Not only does McConaughey commit 110% on screen, but when you realize what he had to do to prepare for this role and the transformation that his body had to undergo – it’s truly incredible. McConaughey lost more than just 47 pounds to play Ron Woodroof, he also mentioned in a number of interviews that he lost a great deal of physical strength – but the change just made his mind sharper.

Dallas Buyers Club is inspired by true events and based on Texas cowboy, Ron Woodroof (McConaughey), who finds his life overturned when he is diagnosed with HIV. After hearing that he has only 30 days to live, Woodroof decides to take treatment into his own hands – legally and illegally. Seeing opportunity and seizing it, Woodroof starts a business for others in his shoes to obtain alternative medical treatments as well. He partners with Rayon (Jared Leto), creates a hugely successful “buyer’s club,” and ultimately changes the way he views and treats people.

Dallas Buyers Club has a strong screenplay paired with actors at the top of their game. McConaughey isn’t the only one here who shines. Another incredible transformation for this film was that of an alarmingly frail Jared Leto. Leto dropped 30lbs for the film, and has since vowed he will never lose a significant amount of weight for a role again.

Overall, it is one of the best films of 2013 and just an incredible body of acting from McConaughey and Leto. Try to see this one before the Academy Awards on March 2nd, so you’ll understand just how deserving of the Oscars these boys are.

DVD special features include an inside look at Dallas Buyers Club along with deleted scenes.

Grade: A
Review By: Emma Loggins