Rating: NNNN
After a terrific series of performances in 2012, Matthew McConaughey astonishes as Ron Woodroof, a hard-living, straight Texas electrician who became an unlikely AIDS treatment activist in the mid-1980s after being diagnosed with HIV and told he had 30 days to live.
Unable to withstand the side effects of AZT, which he buys illegally, he hits upon a scheme of importing a cocktail of drugs – unapproved in the U.S. – first from Mexico, then from other countries. He sells them to other AIDS patients whose lives are then extended, and changes from a bigoted redneck to a man of compassion and purpose, fighting the FDA to get the drugs allowed.
McConaughey, his body emaciated, is almost unrecognizable, but his charm and passion shine through, and he gets lots of support from Jared Leto, whose dignified transsexual Rayon provides a lovely contrast to Ron, and Jennifer Garner’s concerned doctor.
Although the pace wavers near the end, director Jean-Marc Vallée does a fine job with the difficult material, which spans years and countries. Expect major acting nominations come awards season.
