SEE THIS IF YOU LIKED… ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO NEST 1975 Jack Nicholson tries to pull a fast one on When blind the medical dates go wrong. profession. Big mistake. BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN 2005 Tough but tender LGBT classic about forbidden love on the range. KILLER JOE 2011 McConaughey plays unlikeable but irresistible in another Texan drama. For full reviews of these films visit totalfilm.com/ cinema_reviews TALKING Dallas Buyers Club POINT Craig Borten’s original script ★★★★★ Out 7 February did the rounds for 20 years The war on drugs companies… before it finally got made. Woody Harrelson, Brad Pitt HAT WOULD YOU DO IF DOCTORS bull between his legs too – but he can’t Woodroof over, and Ryan Gosling were all gave you 30 days to live? That’s the change his behaviour any more than the even if the Buyers attached at different points. W dilemma facing Ron Woodroof animal can. When Dr Sevard (Denis Club remains chiefly a (Matthew McConaughey) in this ’80s-set O’Hare) tells him he’s got HIV, Woodroof business rather than a AIDS drama. But this is no Bucket List and threatens to “whip his fucking ass”. When charitable venture. we’re a long way from Philadelphia. Indeed, he hears the 30-day verdict, a witty cut Both actors are magnificent, but as the first 60 minutes resembles one of takes us to “Day One” – a grim orgy of Woodroof starts to take on America’s those ’70s Jack Nicholson films where booze, coke and trailer-trash sex. medical establishment, the film shifts the characters drink, swear and screw Director Jean-Marc awkwardly from personal while life swirls heedlessly around them. Vallée (The Young Victoria) to political, losing some A scratchy son-of-a-bitch with sand- keeps this choppy rhythm ‘ This is no Bucket of its fire in the process. blasted vocal chords, colossal appetites going throughout so we List and we’re McConaughey never and all manner of racist, reductive opinions, never relax into the movie, falters, but you’ll still find Woodroof is roaringly alive, although in just as Woodroof never a long way from yourself softening towards his case it’s not a compliment – perhaps relents, cycling through Philadelphia…’ Woodroof: a bad man, howlingly alive is nearer the mark. We denial, terror – even but a real one. He may be first meet him at the rodeo, shagging two praying – before wresting control of his selfish, prejudiced and unrepentant, but he unfussy local girls while the rider gets gored treatment from the cynical Sevard and never gives in, and as sickness makes him behind him. It’s a none-too-subtle metaphor the more sympathetic Dr Saks (Jennifer a walking skeleton, his sheer monumental – Ron’s about to get unseated by the raging Garner). With the help of Rayon (Jared bloody-mindedness starts to look more Leto), a transgender and more like heroism. Matt Glasby PREDICTED INTEREST CURVE™ HIV-positive hustler, Bucking Drug Just Jared One Woodroof starts the THE VERDICT If not wholly convincing THRILLED bronco smuggling last ride eponymous (illegal) drugs as an ‘issues’ movie, this memoir is a dispensary, selling fellow ENTERTAINED triumph as an actors’ showcase; with sufferers what they need Diagnosis Death McConaughey and Leto giving the bugger Coke and rattle to survive. Providing the performances of their careers. NODDING OFF hookers Courtroom sweet to McConaughey’s Meds dramas ZZZZZZZZZ... school salt, Leto brings a Certificate 15 Director Jean-Marc Vallée disarming gentleness to Starring Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer RUNNING TIME 0 23 47 70 94 117 Garner Screenplay Craig Borten, Melisa Wallack Rayon, who quietly wins Distributor Entertainment One Running time 117 mins 54 | Total Film | March 2014 Subscribe at www.totalfilm.com/subs TFM216.screen_dallas.indd 54 1/2/14 4:26 PM.