Late last year, we kept seeing new photos of Matthew McConaughey looking deathly ill. As we said at the time, he was supposed to look deathly ill, because he was playing a character who was dying of AIDS in The Dallas Buyers Club. Matthew must have dropped more than 50 pounds, I think, although he only admitted to losing about 40 pounds. Matthew has always been lean, fit and rangy, so it’s not like he had 40-50 extra pounds to drop. Early coverage of the film made it sound like Matthew had good reason to undertake such a drastic transformation – the film has “Oscar-bait” all over it. And now the first trailer has been released:
The first 30 seconds, I wasn’t into it. But then… yeah. He’s getting an Oscar nomination for this. He might even get the Best Actor Oscar for this. You know who is surprising me here? Jared Leto! I knew Jared was playing a transvestite with AIDS, but I wasn’t expecting this glimpse at his performance to be so… guileless and moving, right? I’ve never given Jared that much credit for his acting. This is Jordan Catalano, after all. But he looks like he’s giving a really powerful (and maybe Best Supporting Actor-material) performance as well. Jennifer Garner, though… eh. That seems like a throw-away part that could have been done by any actress.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
Well, no one can question his dedication to this role. I saw the trailer and it looks like a really interesting and heartbreaking movie.
Totally agree on Garner. She seems very Mary-Sue-ish in the role. But McC is great in the trailer.
I will absolutely be seeing this.
Me too! He reminds me of my brother (who sadly passed from HIV) looks pretty good.
me three. He’s going to het a nomination, if not the Oscar for this. Ellie, my condolences on your brother. I’m sorry.
I don’t know I just love him. He was on some lame ass cooking show and he such a sweetie – he couldn’t even tell that the host was shading him (apparently Matt is a serious foodie so the host was insecure, I think) so I loved that so much. Being a nice guy counts, right ladies?
I will definitely have to see this..
I can’t wait to see this, I love Matt, I think for Hollyweird standards he tries to keep it as real as he can.
Yes they are great but somehow Jared is totallystealing the show he looks amazing and his voice WOW
Yep~I have been a huge Jared Leto fan since “Requiem for a Dream”. And he was awesome in Fight Club as well~
I’ve liked him too since Requiem for… (never saw that TV series he’s known for). I have just watched Mr. Nobody and I absolutely loved it. It is about how choices in life, random events or even the most insignificant things we do shape our life path, and the alternative lives we could live, tempered with a love story.
Very unique movie and Leto is great in it.
I will not miss this movie. Both men’s performances seem great. I agree about the lady. Her performance looks meh!
Don’t laugh – he’s not my favorite actor, but he was so, so good in Magic Mike. I honestly expected him to get a nomination for that (even though the movie itself wasn’t that good).
If you haven’t seen MUD, do so. It’s really great.
Nice to MM on a career high.
I have a friend who has also recommended that. I’ll have to check it out.
As much as love my CHanning Tatum, Matthew was the heart of Magic Mike. He was amazing.
Jared Leto is actually a fantastic actor who is totally dedicated to his craft when he wants to be. I’d cite his performance in Requiem For a Dream as an example of that.
Unfortunately, I think his terrible attitude and antics in his personal life and 30 Seconds To Mars overshadow that and make everyone forget about his acting abilities.
This looks pretty good, and yeah, Jared really did surpise me.
It’s a important story that needs to be told. A host of buyers clubs sprang up in the 1980s when the feds zilch about a bunch of people dying. Ultimately this lead to huge shifts in how drugs get approved and how really sick people get access to potentially life saving meds. I’m not a mcconaughey fan, but if he gets it right, good for him.
I’d also recommend the awesome awesome documentaries that cover related subjects “How to Survive a Plague” and “We were Here”-both are on netflix, both are tragic, well done and will fill you with rage . Trailer for how to survive a plague. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhFS1mUaVY#t=61
Thanks for the recommendation, that trailer gave me chills. I still remember the early years of the AIDS infection and the hate towards those that had it. Remember Ryan White? So sad!
Thank you, L. I just saw ”How to survive a plague” after your suggestion. Did I miss the point if I feel that little has changed concerning the stigma and the drugs?
Can also recommend “voices from the front ” and “and the band played on”
I recently went to an event with some of the founders of a buyers club here in the Deep South and was amazed at how far we’ve come and how far there still is to go. Late 80s and early 90s were brutal, you would take someone to the doctor and everyone, med degree or not, would just sort of try to figure out the best possible strategy for care because at that point, your laypersons guess was as good as theirs…
At this point, the Oscar race seems to be between a movie about AIDS (DBC) and slavery (12 years a slave). I think Chiwetel Ejiofor will probably win this year although I hope Matthew continues with more dramatic roles. He had some pretty good performances in his earlier years (Contact & A Time to Kill)
I hope he gets an Oscar as consolation for losing his hotness. Dude used to be sexy as hell. Anyway, a lot of shade gets thrown Jennifer’s way so I’ll wait to judge her performance when I watch the movie.
Eeeekkk!! This upcoming Oscar season is going to be a doozy!
this looks good, I have been waiting to see this..
I can tell I am going to cry, his character seems to draw you in.
This looks amazing! I’m proud of McConaughey. He’s from the town next to where I grew up… and I always thought he was hot. His voice is one of the HOTTEST actor voices in hollywood. But it’s awesome to see him be a serious actor and not just a rom-com heartthrob.
Whoa! I’m only watching the trailer and I’m already tearing up.
I’ve loved him since Dazed & Confused and I WILL see this movie and I know it will be worth every penny. I can’t wait!
As far as Jared Leto goes, I’ve never seen him in much since My So Called Life but he looks like he brings it here.
And Jennifer Garner, I feel blahed by her just like everyone else.
So the best Oscar actor is between Matt, 12 yrs a Slave Chetwjol and Idris Elba for Mandela it seems. That is going to be tough and controversial either way.