“I guess you're handsome, in a Texas, hick, white trash, dumb kind of way.”

I know everyone is raving about Matthew McConaughey's star performance in this film, but I'm afraid, for me, he was outshone by Jared Leto's portrayal of transgender Rayon. Both actors should be commended for their performances (not to mention their dangerous-looking weight-loss), but Leto is hypnotic in his fragile, yet sassy, representation of the AIDS victim who somehow manages to befriend the (initially) homophobic Ron Woodruff (McConaughey). A far cry from teen-heartthrob Jordan Catalano in the short-lived “My So-Called Life” (which I just happened to watch again recently).

It's another tough watch in places, in this awards season of ‘tough watches', but the frustrations Woodruff suffers trying to fight the all-powerful FDA in order to get the medication to deal with his HIV, is interjected with humour throughout. And the relationship that develops between Woodruff and Rayon is a joy to witness – the characters, and actors, fit well together. You may not start off liking Woodruff and his throwaway homophobic, racist, sexist comments and ways, but as the film progresses, it's difficult not to warm to him, despite his rough edges.

Jennifer Garner is in there too, looking far too healthy and fresh-faced next to Leto and McConaughey, but providing a sympathetic, sensible, foil to Woodruff's schemes.

It's a film of powerful moments of silence, bursts of ear-splitting high-pitched tones, choppily edited and colourful scenes of travel and seedy images of prostitution and drug-taking. And a naturalistic (all radio/background music) soundtrack interspersed with the haunting, unique voice of Marc Bolan.

All in all, a very well put-together film by director Jean-Marc Valleé (The Young Victoria and C. R. A. Z. Y.).