Is Dallas Buyers Club a True Story? – “Dallas Buyers Club” is a 2013 biographical drama film directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, based on the true story of Ron Woodroof, an electrician and rodeo cowboy from Texas who was diagnosed with HIV during its initial outbreak in the mid-1980s.
Matthew McConaughey portrays Ron Woodroof and delivers an exceptional performance that earned him numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination. Jared Leto also delivers a noteworthy performance as Rayon, an unlikely AIDS patient whom Ron befriends over time.
“Dallas Buyers Club” is set in Dallas, Texas, during a time when medical practitioners and the general public had limited understanding of HIV and AIDS. The film examines the difficulties individuals face with this illness as they try to access life-saving treatments. After being told he has only 30 days left to live, Ron becomes frustrated with the lack of FDA-approved medications and the discrimination faced by AIDS patients. Out of desperation, he begins smuggling unapproved drugs to other patients as a last resort through the “Dallas Buyers Club,” where members pay membership fees to access these life-saving treatments.
The movie follows Ron’s journey as he struggles against his own prejudices before becoming an advocate for AIDS patients. He challenges healthcare policies and confronts pharmaceutical companies. Together with Rayon, his confidant and business partner, Ron works to overcome legal obstacles and bureaucratic red tape, ensuring that those with AIDS can access medications that could extend their lives.
True Story Behind “Dallas Buyers Club” Film
The film revolves around the story of Ron Woodroof, a Texas electrician and rodeo cowboy who was diagnosed with AIDS in the mid-1980s. Frustrated by the lack of medication for his symptoms and facing discrimination, Woodroof created and distributed unapproved drugs through the “Dallas Buyers Club.” His actions challenged both the healthcare system and the pharmaceutical industry in an attempt to help those affected by HIV/AIDS. His journey is depicted in the movie, showcasing how his efforts made a significant difference in the lives of many affected by HIV.
On August 9, 1992, The Dallas Morning News published an article featuring Ron Woodroof’s endeavours for the first time, introducing him to the public. The piece reported how an impressive 500,000 pills were packed into a rented Lincoln Continental trunk and how Woodroof had been making risky trips across the border since 1986 to bring life-saving medications for HIV+ patients. When asked why he took such frequent risks, he replied, “It is necessary; that is the issue – whether one would prefer taking such risks or if they can avoid them altogether,” he said.
Woodroof was one of nine similar buyers’ clubs at the time when he established one in Dallas, Texas. This article caught the attention of Craig Bolten, who shared his attempts to reach Woodroof through an interview with Go Into The Story of The Black List. Bolten revealed his identity and purpose before receiving instructions to travel the next day. Due to financial challenges, he spent the night sleeping in his tent at AAA Park before meeting Woodroof for three days and recording their conversations.
Bolten stated, “Woodroof permitted me to write a movie about his life.” Bolten felt an immediate connection as his own father dealt with a terminal illness, which motivated him to pursue Woodroof’s story. Caregiving for Woodroof taught Bolten a great deal, including alternative pharmaceuticals, treatment protocols, accessing alternative medications, and his interactions with FDA/NIH agencies – something that deeply resonated with him.
Director Jean-Marc Vallée brought Woodroof’s story to the big screen, using handheld cameras and natural lighting to capture his raw emotions as he interacted with those involved in his activities. Although the film tackles life and death issues, Vallée incorporates lighthearted moments that bring happiness to the narrative.
“I was brought to tears after reading the script for the first time. Initially, I felt uncertain about how best to approach such an important subject matter: How could we avoid becoming overly sombre and melancholic while evoking laughter and smiles without trivializing its message?” Thankfully, the screenwriter had already addressed my concern, so when I came on board as director, I made Rayon a T. Rex fan and added moments like Ron praying in a strip club. In an interview with Collider, the director emphasized that audiences should take this film seriously without dismissing it as a mere joke.
Director Ariel Schulman explained that, except Ron, all the characters in the film were created by the writers’ imaginations, while the core plot remained constant. Actor Matthew McConaughey underwent a significant physical transformation to portray Ron Woodroof on screen, shedding over 50 pounds for the role. This amused me, as I am familiar with individuals like Ron from my encounters within anarchist circles and their language, perspective, and dark sense of humour prevalent within that movement. McConaughey stated in an interview with Roger Ebert, “One thing I wanted to ensure was to stick with anarchic humour while keeping his selfish personality at its core.”
Nearly one month after his interview with Craig Bolten, Ron Woodroof died from his illness in September 1992. Bolten fulfilled his promise to Woodroof by ensuring that their story would become a screenplay and ultimately be produced into a film like “Dallas Buyers Club.” This remarkable journey led to its creation.
Read Also: Where Was Showtimes’ Nope Filmed? All Filming Locations
