Oh dear. I can totally see how the voters are going to have a serious problem choosing who to give the “Best Actor” Oscar to this year: Matthew McConaughey in the Dallas Buyers Club or Chiwetel Ejiofor in Twelve Years A Slave. My choice? I think it would have to go to Matthew – not only for the extraordinary weight loss efforts he went to to perfect his role of playing an aids sufferer in the ’80’s when there was little hope of a cure, but because he is on camera in practically every frame of the film and he is frankly mesmerising.
Based on a true story about a heterosexual man in Dallas Texas who contracts aids from shagging a drug user, this is the male version of Erin Brockovich – a hustler taking on the FDA. Taking what is left of his life into his own hands, learning about his illness and getting on with the job. He has to suffer the indignities of being treated by his former mates as “a faggot” to understand that people shouldn’t be treated like that. To understand that you can form strong friendships with transvestites and stand up for them when required. Jared Leto, a famous musician plays “Rayon” to perfection.
This is a touching, brilliantly shot and acted film about a little piece of history that is still very much in my mind – for everything that happened at the time and for all those people who died whilst on trials of drugs that they hadn’t yet got right. I loved it. Not sure about Jennifer Lawrence – she didn’t quite feel the right person for that role, but that would be my only complaint.
