On D List of Movie Reviews
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Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
Rate:
5
Viewed:
8/14
8/14:
I've said this before that Matthew McConaughey is a talented actor.
For Dallas Buyers Club, he scored an Oscar. However, it's not a great performance as advertised but
rather ordinary. Apparently, Matthew McConaughey sacrificed around ten to fifteen years of his life by taking
the Christian Bale route in terms of drastic weight loss, which is fifty pounds in four months, for the
precious but worthless trophy.
If it's how Hollywood will reward these thespians, then I guess acting as I know it is dead. In all honesty,
Matthew McConaughey looks ghastly...like death on a stick. I was more concerned for his health than what he's
doing on screen. On the other hand, Jared Leto, who's talented and also lost forty pounds, is somewhat better
than his co-star, but his character isn't memorable. In fact, he was much better in
Requiem for a Dream, convincing me that he could be a solid, serious
actor.
As for the story, I find it extreme and unbelievable and don't sympathize with either of the characters. Perhaps
if they would stop drinking, abusing illegal drugs, and engaging in reckless unsafe sex so much, I might believe
in the efficacy of their radical treatments. So, no...I'm not convinced. Of course, like all Hollywood films,
the truth is rather distorted.
The camera work is sometimes atrocious and unprofessionally handled. Most of the shots should be moved farther
back, so I can see more of the ambience. The first hour is bad while the second half is slightly improved. All the
mistakes committed here have been the reasons why I rarely view anything made after the year of 2000.
All in all, Dallas Buyers Club is nothing special, featuring average Oscar-winning performances by Matthew
McConaughey and Jared Leto.