Dallas Buyers Club

Una película independiente estadounidense de la familia Leaving Las Vegas o Boys Don't Cry, que se basa en un interesante personaje outsider y su brillante interpretación. Una impresionante experiencia cinematográfica que te cautivará y te permitirá devorar con curiosidad cada escena, examinando en detalle la personalidad del protagonista. La transformación del Ron Woodroof de McConaughey de un campesino sureño chovinista y arrogante en un luchador comprensivo y desesperado, que no se rinde, e incluso lucha por algo más que por su propia vida, es el estudio de carácter más fuerte para mí en los últimos años. Los realizadores son modestos, minimalistas, no se basan en excentricidades actorales ni mejoras técnicas y visuales, se centran únicamente en contar la historia por los medios más clásicos. Un enfoque abierto y sensible del tema. Fantásticamente escrita y dirigida. Woodroof es moralmente exactamente lo contrario de Jordan Belfort y Leonardo, me temo que en la Academia no tiene ninguna posibilidad contra Matthew. (29.01.2014)

Este actor, que interpretó al seductor en Ghosts of Girlfriends Pasts, al carismático abogado en Lincoln Lawyer y aparece en un comercial de Dolce and Gabbana, ¿es una transformación increíble de Matthew McConaughey y su actuación cautivadora, de la que ni siquiera el dios de la actuación, Daniel Day-Lewis, se avergonzaría? Incluso tengo la sensación de que él es posiblemente el único que podría interpretarlo de esta manera. Jared Leto también merece un gran reconocimiento, ya que con su rostro delicado, definitivamente se podría confundir con una hermosa mujer. Y aunque no he visto a los otros nominados, sin duda alguna, estos dos no tienen competencia alguna. Y deseo sinceramente que Leonardo se lleve el premio, pero en mi opinión, probablemente tendrá mala suerte nuevamente. Para mí, el Club de los Últimos Deseos siempre será recordado como el concierto actoral de dos excelentes actores, cuyas actuaciones considero entre las mejores que he visto. En cuanto a la película en sí, podría achacarle tal vez su duración, le vendrían bien veinte minutos menos. La primera mitad me dejó impresionado, mientras que en la segunda ya no fue lo mismo, así que normalmente le daría cuatro estrellas, pero repito, gracias a esas actuaciones elevo mi calificación en una estrella. (21.01.2014)

How to live with HIV, not giving in to anyone or anything, cursing and going all out until the very end. Matthew McConaughey refuses to cry or laugh superficially and takes it head-on through all obstacles, even when it could be the last day of his life. And today could quite possibly be that last day. A sincere drama that is most lovable precisely because, just like the main character, it remains true to itself the entire time. (20.01.2014)

-Thank You. -Fuck off! Breaking Good? Not entirely. Dallas Buyers Club is surprisingly not an emotionally manipulative drama about the belated awakening of a homophobe. It is rather a sober film – in terms of both form and content – that instead of glorifying Woodroof, admits that this cowboy did not deserve any exaggerated compassion even after he contracted AIDS. The effort taken to not harp on the protagonist’s suffering and to simply depict him corresponds to the objectiveness of the form (filming without additional artificial lighting, documentary-style asymmetrical shot compositions, non-evocative use of music). If the film isn’t emotionally cold,  that’s particularly due to the gaunt McConaughey, who lost approximately 20 kilos for his role as Woodroof. Even though he plays only a shadow of his heroes from other films, he never loses the sparkle in his eye. The way that he combines inordinate self-confidence, blatant impudence and admirable tenacity makes the protagonist an ideal campaigner against the (medical) establishment, which expects nothing more from its nemesis, who personifies the indomitable nature of American ambition, than the fact that he will soon die. Also fascinating especially for his physical transformation is Jared Leto, whose scenes with McConaughey are remotely reminiscent of Midnight Cowboy, another film that didn’t take itself too seriously and, on the other hand, neither revelled in its serious subject matter nor trivialised it. 75% (10.01.2014)

This is actually some proper film-making craftsmanship. Matthew delivers an almost perfect acting performance and Jared Leto has no problems keeping up with him. They both play people infected with the HIV virus. But they don’t merely portray them, they truly experience the characters. Matthew is getting skinny right before our very eyes. And Jared, skinny as he already is, changes the color of his skin in a pretty scary manner. I tip my hat off to them for this. With Jared, I’m really fascinated by how far he is willing to go. Since he is a singer, I don’t think he can afford to change his body weight so radically. I’d really love to know whether this affected his musical career in any way. If nothing else, he proves what an actor he truly is. If I was on the Oscars committee, I would have a clear idea of whom to give the golden statues. Matthew proved in 2013 just what good an actor he is and Jared put on such a show that if I were to see him in another movie, I’d think that he’s crazy. But as I said… a tip of my hat. You will find the story repulsive at first, gradually, you will notice the changes in the way the characters act. And these individual moments will keep on piling up until you get to the ending and you will realize that you won’t get to see such radical a transformation in many movies. (05.02.2014)