Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Watched the movie last night—still processing my thoughts, I guess... I honestly can't decide. McConaughey and Leto are fantastic, definitely Oscar material.🙏🙏🙏 On the flip side, parts of it dragged quite a bit. Maybe I was just expecting more courtroom drama or some even dirtier schemes from Big Pharma...

McConaughey and Leto 10/10

Movie 6/10

😬

Jamie Turner80 said:The discussion centers on the rigorous standards and regulatory frameworks maintained by counterparts to the FDA in countries like France or Japan, contrasted against the benchmarks held by equivalents in nations such as Nigeria or Bangladesh, assuming any comparable oversight exists there. We are essentially examining the caliber of educational institutions, the overall level of technological sophistication, and both the quality and volume of medical research produced. A pharmaceutical drug is the culmination of an incredibly lengthy process, and at every single stage of that journey, exhaustive documentation is required. It is a matter of intellectual integrity to scrutinize this documentation and eliminate any lingering doubts. (I included France, Japan, and Israel merely because they are referenced in the film. While Nigeria and Ghana aren't explicitly mentioned, one must consider how thoroughly their domestic pharmaceutical companies have vetted their products before releasing them to the market.)
On the other hand, the FDA is an inherently hypocritical institution. They will undoubtedly approve those foreign supplements eventually, but they’ll remain buried at the very bottom of the priority list, far behind inferior American supplements and processed foods. This happens because major American pharmaceutical and food conglomerates exert massive influence through lobbying and bribery to ensure their own products jump to the front of the line. It isn't merely rude or unfair; it is fundamentally dangerous to human life.

Calling the FDA hypocritical is a bit of an easy target. I get it—for the sake of movie drama, someone has to be the villain. But attacking official institutions where thousands of actual scientists work, all to favor some alternative guy with zero formal training? That's highly questionable thinking. And pretty dangerous, too.

Even today, alternative clinics for terminal patients thrive in Mexico. You can't blame anyone for fighting for life until the very last second. There are tons of clinics in Tijuana that mostly operate on the so-called "Issels Treatment"—boosting the body's immune system—just like in the movie. Not a single one of these clinics has ever submitted their results for peer review. Mexican authorities often shut them down in cooperation with Americans. Or maybe they shouldn't be shutting them down at all? Maybe we should just let anyone open an alternative clinic wherever they feel like. Who needs regulators? Besides, everyone could just play dumb and claim they aren't treating people, just selling memberships.

I'll drop a link here from another forum where a young scientist and doctor describes what happens when parents decide to trust foreign alternatives while viewing doctors as suspicious types corrupted by a wicked pharmaceutical industry. This kind of oversimplification and borderline conspiracy thinking—where experts are completely dismissed—happens all the time. Since you're bringing up what's dangerous to human lives, maybe you should read this one person's story from a doctor's perspective. Imagine how a future movie might look if the roles were reversed.

Melissa Collins6 said:Calling the FDA hypocritical is a bit of an easy target. I get it—for the sake of movie drama, someone has to be the villain. But attacking official institutions where thousands of actual scientists work, all to favor some alternative guy with zero formal training? That's highly questionable thinking. And pretty dangerous, too.

Even today, alternative clinics for terminal patients thrive in Mexico. You can't blame anyone for fighting for life until the very last second. There are tons of clinics in Tijuana that mostly operate on the so-called "Issels Treatment"—boosting the body's immune system—just like in the movie. Not a single one of these clinics has ever submitted their results for peer review. Mexican authorities often shut them down in cooperation with Americans. Or maybe they shouldn't be shutting them down at all? Maybe we should just let anyone open an alternative clinic wherever they feel like. Who needs regulators? Besides, everyone could just play dumb and claim they aren't treating people, just selling memberships.

I'll drop a link here from another forum where a young scientist and doctor describes what happens when parents decide to trust foreign alternatives while viewing doctors as suspicious types corrupted by a wicked pharmaceutical industry. This kind of oversimplification and borderline conspiracy thinking—where experts are completely dismissed—happens all the time. Since you're bringing up what's dangerous to human lives, maybe you should read this one person's story from a doctor's perspective. Imagine how a future movie might look if the roles were reversed.

I think the real heart of the problem (the stuff this movie is actually digging into) is the trauma patients go through. It’s incredibly hard to stomach the bitter reality that you’re basically being used as a guinea pig.

It’s this massive psychological weight that just crushes an already fragile body. You’ve got to be able to face those harsh truths, because sometimes instead of helping you, that "chemical" or that specific drug ends up totally wrecking you.

And then there’s this alternative stuff that supposedly extends your life... yeah, right, "extends" your life.

That’s the whole point, the dilemma these people face. Is it better to live a little longer or take a massive gamble?

Besides, it isn't even easy to get into a position where you can afford to take that kind of risk. That’s a total luxury, for god's sake.

Melissa Collins6 said:Calling the FDA hypocritical is a bit of an easy target. I get it—for the sake of movie drama, someone has to be the villain. But attacking official institutions where thousands of actual scientists work, all to favor some alternative guy with zero formal training? That's highly questionable thinking. And pretty dangerous, too.

Even today, alternative clinics for terminal patients thrive in Mexico. You can't blame anyone for fighting for life until the very last second. There are tons of clinics in Tijuana that mostly operate on the so-called "Issels Treatment"—boosting the body's immune system—just like in the movie. Not a single one of these clinics has ever submitted their results for peer review. Mexican authorities often shut them down in cooperation with Americans. Or maybe they shouldn't be shutting them down at all? Maybe we should just let anyone open an alternative clinic wherever they feel like. Who needs regulators? Besides, everyone could just play dumb and claim they aren't treating people, just selling memberships.

I'll drop a link here from another forum where a young scientist and doctor describes what happens when parents decide to trust foreign alternatives while viewing doctors as suspicious types corrupted by a wicked pharmaceutical industry. This kind of oversimplification and borderline conspiracy thinking—where experts are completely dismissed—happens all the time. Since you're bringing up what's dangerous to human lives, maybe you should read this one person's story from a doctor's perspective. Imagine how a future movie might look if the roles were reversed.

You aren't listening to me; I am not advocating for alternatives. Even though hospice centers often yield better outcomes in cancer treatment than aggressive therapies—basically providing patients with opioids and allowing them to say their goodbyes—that process of letting go is often longer and higher quality than a desperate struggle via chemotherapy.
Secondly, if I want to experiment on myself, don't tie my hands. As a staunch liberal, I believe it is my fundamental human right to smoke, drink, choose whether to visit a doctor or a healer, or shop for my own medications. As long as it doesn't involve others or imposing my views on anyone else, I should be able to do whatever I want with my own body.
Furthermore, by what "divine" logic does the FDA operate when its priority seems to be pushing processed food onto the market rather than foreign medications or vitamin and mineral cocktails? I seriously doubt their ethics are stronger than the influence of lobby groups, and I especially doubt the ethics of the FDA or any government or non-profit organization in America were at a high level back in the 80s.
That is why I insist that we are talking about Japanese and French medications and preparations, which are approved in two countries that possess decent healthcare systems, solid educational institutions, and competent regulatory bodies. Why would it be an issue to verify their documentation, conduct additional research, and allow the drugs onto the market? I repeat: these are industrial products from highly developed nations based on scientific methodology, not some cocktail concocted by some backyard doctor in a kitchen.

The movie is just incredible. Everything about it hits the mark, and honestly, I don't have a single complaint. If anything, this was the one nominee I wasn't expecting a damn thing from, yet I walked away with so much more than I bargained for. 🙂

Anyway, is it just me, or are there actually people out there who still believe the FDA—and really the entire pharmaceutical industry for that matter—actually puts patients and their health first? 😕

It's money. Pure and simple. Money, money, and more money. We're talking about a web of corruption and machinery so massive it’s basically impossible for us to even wrap our heads around it.

@Jamie Turner80
Or maybe those agencies over in Japan or France—or whatever other regulatory bodies handle drug approvals—just got cozy with the big pharma lobbyists 🤷
Or maybe they're all just out in the woods somewhere 🤷

Honestly, it’s hit or miss. In some places, the "alternative" route is actually better, and in others, it’s total nonsense. And really, like you said, we should probably just let people try something else if their first option isn't cutting it

Nicholas Watson said:@Jamie Turner80
Or maybe those agencies over in Japan or France—or whatever other regulatory bodies handle drug approvals—just got cozy with the big pharma lobbyists 🤷
Or maybe they're all just out in the woods somewhere 🤷

Honestly, it’s hit or miss. In some places, the "alternative" route is actually better, and in others, it’s total nonsense. And really, like you said, we should probably just let people try something else if their first option isn't cutting it

SPOILER

The movie makes it pretty obvious that an FDA official lets him bring products into the country—as long as they’re for "personal use." No big deal, right? Take them, just don't sell them. The real issue starts when they use a membership fee as a cover to distribute unapproved substances.

@Jamie Turner80. The FDA has departments and dozens of officials dedicated to certifying clinics and foreign locations they partner with, and that goes both ways. It’s efficient and saves a ton of time. But obviously, sometimes extra time is needed, and that's where the massive catch is—because a terminal patient doesn't have time to wait. I honestly think the movie manipulates our lack of knowledge about how this process works just to crank up the drama. Or, as Professor Dawkins would put it—wherever evidence and science end, faith takes over (alternative medicine supporters can check out their own beliefs or his documentary "Enemies of Reason").

And then science becomes the bad guy.

if I remember correctly, he ended up being pretty much an advocate for its use at the end

the guy basically turns into a saint by the end of the flick, right? was he actually that much of a straight arrow in real life 🤷

Melissa Collins6 said:SPOILER

The movie makes it pretty obvious that an FDA official lets him bring products into the country—as long as they’re for "personal use." No big deal, right? Take them, just don't sell them. The real issue starts when they use a membership fee as a cover to distribute unapproved substances.

@Jamie Turner80. The FDA has departments and dozens of officials dedicated to certifying clinics and foreign locations they partner with, and that goes both ways. It’s efficient and saves a ton of time. But obviously, sometimes extra time is needed, and that's where the massive catch is—because a terminal patient doesn't have time to wait. I honestly think the movie manipulates our lack of knowledge about how this process works just to crank up the drama. Or, as Professor Dawkins would put it—wherever evidence and science end, faith takes over (alternative medicine supporters can check out their own beliefs or his documentary "Enemies of Reason").

And then science becomes the bad guy.

One shouldn't overlook the timeframe and the general mindset of the nation back then. Political correctness didn't exist. These were the Reagan years: ultra-conservative and bordering on racist. Research into AIDS was slowed down because the disease was categorized as a "gay disease," and gay people weren't exactly held in high regard.
You can find a minor reference to this in the film Philomena, which is British and deals with different matters entirely. (I mention this only because the fact that the treatment of AIDS during the 80s was ethically questionable is considered common knowledge).
I am not claiming that "evil corporations are hiding the cure for cancer just to maximize profits," or any similar absurd conspiracy theory. I am simply stating that the medical ethics of a regulatory agency were highly questionable.

8/10

It’s easily better than Wolf of Wall Street—not to mention beating 12 Years a Slave by a mile... Honestly, one of the best films of the year. Matthew is just outstanding.

Great movie. McConaughey was great, but maybe just a notch below Wolf.

8/10

Great movie; McConaughey and Leto smash it. 🙏

A truly exceptional film. If Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto don't walk away with an Oscar this year for their performances, it will be a massive injustice... quite simply, their work outshines the rest of the competition by a wide margin.

So, basically, Matthew M. creepy and Leto were both pretty impressive. My rating? I'd say 8.5/10.

The movie actually caught me off guard in the best way possible... 👍

Go ahead and drop those male Oscar nominees right here.
Keep 'em coming.☕

Caught it last night. Honestly, such a killer movie, and Matthew McConaughey definitely earned that nomination. Jared Leto was pretty solid too, I guess. Since I still need to sit through basically all the other Oscar nominees, I probably can't really call it yet who's actually going to take home the gold.

That was great. McConaughey definitely earned that nomination. I have to admit, I wasn't expecting quite this much from him, but he ended up completely blowing me away. That kind of transformation is just something else, isn't it?

Watched it yesterday—really enjoyed 👍. All three nominations were totally earned, though whether they actually take home an Oscar remains to be seen; I still have a few more films to get through first.

Anyway, Jared was incredible—that scene where he goes to see his dad 🙏. No makeup, no costume, yet he looked like a complete woman.

On the other hand, Jennifer Garner was underwhelming. She felt exactly the same as always; her character just lacked any real depth. With MMA, it’s obvious what drives him: first survival, then profit. It’s only much later that he realizes he actually cares. But Jennifer 🤷, why did she care so much about Rayon? "He was my friend also"? Since when? Honestly, I think she’s only there to provide a little bit of reassurance that "hey, there are actually some good doctors out there."