The message of Dallas Buyers Club

[Insidious Von]

I was going to post a review of this film but it has a disturbing message that needs to be discussed.

The pharmaceutical companies got it wrong.

This is a vastly superior film to Philadelphia, that film had too many melodramatic moments and Tom Hanks character was a docile victim. Ron Woodroof, an actual activist, accepted his fate fighting tooth and nail. His efforts to live highlight the arrogance of the drug companies that they have the silver bullet for what ails you. In their hubris they failed in their due diligence and completely misinterpreted what the HIV virus actually was. It has the same properties as chicken pox, once you have it it remains within you for life. Their focus was in eradication not containment, their initial treatments contributed to the death toll. AZT not only corrupted the body's vital organs, it also stimulated the virus to mutate into AIDS. Woodroof's efforts aided by supposedly "contraband" doctors from Mexico led the pharmaceuticals to see, reluctantly, the error of their approach.

And that is the main reason why Magic Johnson is alive today and Freddie Mercury isn't.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/dallas-buyers-club-real-life-3103004

 

[Yoga Face]

the greediest moguls in the world run Hollywood so why do you believe their fucking movies? Especially one that has won academy awards. That ceremony is the world's most brilliant marketing tool (along with roll up the rim to win)

 

[Don Draper]

Truth Entertainment and Voltage Pictures are small independent production companies that hardly compare with Warner Bros. or 20th Century Fox. I've doubt most have even heard of them. The modest budget for 'Dallas Buyers Club' was just over 5 million. Matthew McConaughey did the film for scale and agreed to be paid on the profits the film might make. His salary went into the production itself.

Many have had friends die due to AIDS. Many of these deaths might have been prevented if the pharmaceutical companies had been more diligent in their responsibilities rather than trying to cash in and control an opportunity. This is the comment the film is making.

Whether that comment is made with a small budget or a large budget is irrelevant. The message is the key.

 

[Insidious Von]

Your premise doesn't hold water.

DBC is an independent production that none of the major studios would touch. It got distribution rights after McConaughey started getting critical acclaim for other projects. I once couldn't stand him, I thought he was a piece of crap as an actor. His turnaround has been remarkable.

And I don't buy coffee from a place that filters it through old underwear.

 

[SkyRider]

http://www.livescience.com/16909-magic-johnson-hiv-aids-anniversary.html

 

[Aardvark154]

The FDA has lived with the legacy of having gotten it right by dragging it's feet on Thalidomide for the past sixty years.

 

[Insidious Von]

The FDA doesn't come out of this film smelling of roses.

Excellent article SkyRider, unfortunately it doesn't mention the doctor who's managing Magic's care.

I'm particularly interested in what became of Dr. Vass, compassionately portrayed by Griffin Dunne (After Hours) in this film. He had his license to practice medicine revoked and set up a clinic in Mexico. He was in the frontline of research and experimentation, his data probably didn't jibe with the dogma of big pharma. They probably lobbied vigourously to have him suspended, although the film doesn't follow that thread. Too many people died needlessly due to the drug companies mistakes and the smugness of the FDA.

 

[Insidious Von]

...er ....actually I own shares in GlaxoSmithKline......hypocritical isn't it.....