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Dallas Buyers Club ∑∑∑∑1/2 Short Take: The fact-based story of a Texas electrician, rodeo rider, womanizer and all round ruffian who, when diagnosed with AIDS in 1985, sought alternatives, broke boundaries and helped thousands of people facing the same death sentence.
REEL TAKE: Dallas Buyers Club is an
unapologetically ugly, honest raw, wonderful and unsentimental story of redemption. Based on the true story of Ron Woodruff, a hard drinking, indiscriminate womanizer, and man of many vices, who was diagnosed with full blown AIDS in 1985 and given about 30 days to live. Woodruff, and the band of ruffians he ran with, was massive Texas-style homophobe. His diagnosis came at time when the world was just starting to learn about AIDS, thanks largely in part to Rock Hudson’s own diagnosis and outing as a gay man.
Jared Leto and Mathew McConaughey are stunning in the AIDS drama, Dallas Buyers Club.
Ostracized and forsaken by his so-called friends, Woodruff begins to look for answers, alternatives, anything but death. As he begins reading everything he can about the disease, he realizes the drug the local hospital and big pharmaceuticals are peddling will do more harm than good. When he finds a doctor in Mexico whose protocol actually provides help and hope, he opens the Dallas Buyers Club; $350 a month for all the vitamins and meds you’ll need. And so begins a Woodruff’s road to redemption, purpose and success. Matthew McConaughey gives the most stunning performance of his career as Woodruff. He lost a huge amount of weight for the role. This can be a gimmicky tactic for actors, and it doesn’t always work. McConaughey is a bag of bones and he looks like hell, but he also seems to really love and understand his character. He, like the movie, makes no apologies for Woodruff’s life or lifestyle. The weight of his performance and his distinct lack of pretense negates any sense of gimmick. The same goes for Jared Leto, who plays Ray, a beautiful, sweet, drug addled transvestite who befriends Ray in the hospital. Leto’s drastic weight loss seems to have really helped him bring a real femininity and vulnerability to his role. They play wonderfully off of one
another. Leto and McConaughey give truly transformative performances and both should be nominated for Oscars come award season. Jean-Marc Valle, whose only other film that I’ve seen is The Young Victoria, will surely be in high demand in the director’s chair after the critical success of Dallas Buyers Club. I hope he too will be nominated for an Oscar, though of that I am not quite assured. There has been some criticism of the film for making an AIDS movie set in the 80s and not taking the Reagan administration to
task (I read somewhere, “…an AIDS movie the Tea Party can watch.”). While I understand that perspective I find it irrelevant. Woodruff’s enemy was the big pharmaceuticals and the FDA and that’s about as political as this story needs to be. Dallas Buyers Club is Woodruff’s story and it’s remarkable. Rated R for pervasive language, some strong sexual content, nudity and drug use.
REVIEW BY MICHELLE KEENAN
Great Expectations ∑∑∑∑∑ Short Take: Exquisite adaptation of the Dickens classic has glorious cinematography, superb period recreation, an excellent screenplay adaptation, and fabulous performances from Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter.
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REEL TAKE: Brit director Mike Newell has made an interesting variety of films over the
‘Movies’ continued on page 16
We’re Making a List and Checking it Twice
YOUR HOLIDAY SEASON MOVIE PREVIEWS
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By the time this issue hits the free paper news stands, The Hunger Games Catching Fire will Catching be burning up the box office. Also out and not to be missed — but not yet reviewed by Reel Takes — are Philomena and The Book Thief Thief. We’re not quite sure when Alexander Payne’s Nebraska will hit Asheville area theatres, but it will be some time in December. The buzz surrounding the film’s limited release, and veteran actor Bruce Dern’s performance, suggest it is a must see. With award season and Christmas just around the corner, the movie studios will be looking to make box office and critical bank this month. Here are a few of the highlights. Opens November 29
Frozen - When a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna, a fearless optimist, teams up with extreme mountain man Kristoff and his sidekick reindeer Sven on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa, the Snow Queen, and put an end to her icy spell. Animation featuring the the voices of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel.
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom – A moving
drama based on South African President Nelson Mandela’s autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country’s once segregated society. Stars Idris Elba.
Oldboy – A provocative, visceral thriller that
follows the story of Joe Doucette, a man who is abruptly kidnapped and held hostage for 20 years in solitary confinement, for no apparent reason. When he is suddenly released without explanation, he begins an obsessive mission to find out who imprisoned him, only to discover that the real mystery is why he was set free. Stars Josh Brolin, Sharlto Copley and Elizabeth Olsen. Directed by Spike Lee. Opening December 6
mafia, and politicians. This all-star thriller is getting great advance buzz. Stars Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Christian Bale, Jeremy Renner and Amy Adams.
Out of the Furnace - From Scott Cooper,
Opening December 20
the critically-acclaimed writer and director of Crazy Heart Heart, comes a gripping and gritty drama about family, fate, circumstance, and justice. Stars Christian Bale, Woody Harrelson, Forest Whitaker, Casey Affleck, Zoey Saldana and Sam Shepard.
Inside Llewyn Davis - Follows a week in the life of a young folk singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of 1961. Stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake and John Goodman. Opening December 13
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – More Hobbits, more Middle Earth … prob-
ably doesn’t need much more explanation than that. Tolkein and Peter Jackson fans will be delighted. Stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan and Richard Armitage.
Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas – Madea
dishes her own brand of Christmas Spirit in a small country town. Tyler Perry fans may be surprised to see Larry the Cable Guy in the cast. Um, did we mention it’s a small country southern town? Opening December 18
American Hustle – David O’Russell directs
the fact-based story of a brilliant con man, who along with his equally cunning and seductive British partner, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent to bring down Jersey power brokers,
Saving Mr. Banks – Author P.L. Travers
reflects on her difficult childhood while meeting with Walt Disney during the film production of her novel Mary Poppins. Stars Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks.
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues –
Will Ferrell reprises his role as San Diego’s favorite 1970’s newsman Ron Burgundy, only now it’s the 1980’s. Like it or lump it, it’s gonna be funny. If you don’t like Will Ferrell, then just don’t go see it. Opening December 25
The Wolf of Wall Street – Martin
Scorsese directs this adaptation of Jordan Belfort’s memoir surrounding his indulgent ride as a crooked banker made headlines in the 1990’s. Not to be missed. Stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Matthew McConaughey.
August: Osage County – The critically ac-
claimed stage play gets the big screen adaptation for the dark, darkly funny and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwest house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. Stars Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Juliette Lewis, Ewan McGregor and Abigail Breslin. According to the buzz, Meryl can start working on another Oscar speech.
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