2012
In 1985 Dallas, rodeo cowboy Ron Woodroof is diagnosed with HIV and given 30 days to live, but after experiencing the toxic effects of AZT, he seeks alternative treatments in Mexico. Ron establishes the "Dallas Buyers Club" with Rayon, a transgender woman with HIV, to illegally import and distribute unapproved but effective antiviral drugs and supplements to other patients for a monthly fee. The club faces constant raids and harassment from the FDA and local authorities who champion AZT and view Ron's operation as a threat to their pharmaceutical interests. Despite legal battles, Rayon's death, and inventory confiscation, Ron continues to fight for access to non-toxic treatments, eventually winning a court case to personally use Peptide T, and survives seven more years, helping others until his death from complications of the disease.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Dallas Buyers Club follows Ron Woodroof’s transformation from a hedonistic rodeo cowboy to an unlikely AIDS activist.
Open full beat sheetRon Woodroof is listed as Protagonist. Early 40s, rodeo cowboy, electrician, diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. In the parsed data, Ron Woodroof is connected to 122 scenes, 213 dialogue lines, 213 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
122 scenes / 213 dialogue linesDr. Eve Saks is listed as Supporting. Physician at Dallas Mercy Hospital. In the parsed data, Dr. Eve Saks is connected to 36 scenes, 41 dialogue lines, 41 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
36 scenes / 41 dialogue linesRayon is listed as Supporting. Cross-dresser, HIV positive, Ron's business partner. In the parsed data, Rayon is connected to 29 scenes, 43 dialogue lines, 58 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
29 scenes / 43 dialogue linesTucker is listed as Supporting. Police officer, acquaintance of Ron. In the parsed data, Tucker is connected to 14 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 101.
14 scenes / 9 dialogue linesDr. Nathan Sevard is listed as Antagonist. Arrogant physician at Dallas Mercy Hospital. In the parsed data, Dr. Nathan Sevard is connected to 13 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
13 scenes / 13 dialogue linesDavid Wayne is listed as Supporting. Ron's attorney. In the parsed data, David Wayne is connected to 10 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 68.
10 scenes / 6 dialogue linesRick Ferris is listed as Antagonist. Barrow Wilkem pharmaceutical representative. In the parsed data, Rick Ferris is connected to 7 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
7 scenes / 11 dialogue linesT.J. is listed as Supporting. Ron's friend, rodeo participant. In the parsed data, T.J. is connected to 7 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 74.
7 scenes / 2 dialogue linesDr. Vass is listed as Supporting. Disgraced doctor operating a clinic in Mexico. In the parsed data, Dr. Vass is connected to 6 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 41.
6 scenes / 13 dialogue linesRichard Barkley is listed as Antagonist. FDA official. In the parsed data, Richard Barkley is connected to 6 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 50.
6 scenes / 6 dialogue linesClint is listed as Supporting. Ron's friend, mechanic. In the parsed data, Clint is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesRon Woodroof watches a rodeo while engaging in sexual activity and drug use, experiencing a strange ringing sensation.
Ron WoodroofRon collects bets and discusses Rock Hudson's AIDS diagnosis with Clint.
Ron Woodroof, ClintRon encourages T.J. before his bull ride and takes Nyquil for his cough.
Ron Woodroof, T.J.Ron escapes angry gamblers by provoking Tucker the cop into arresting him.
Ron Woodroof, TuckerTucker drops Ron off at his trailer.
Ron Woodroof, TuckerRon and Tucker talk in the car; Ron experiences a dizzy spell.
Ron Woodroof, TuckerRon collapses in his trailer.
Ron WoodroofRon wakes up on the floor.
Ron WoodroofRon sells drugs to Clint and T.J. at work.
Ron Woodroof, T.J., ClintAn accident occurs on the platform; Ron tries to help a worker and is injured in an explosion.
Ron WoodroofRick Ferris presents AZT to the hospital board.
Dr. Eve Saks, Dr. Nathan Sevard, Rick FerrisDr. Sevard and Eve discuss the pharmaceutical industry.
Dr. Eve Saks, Dr. Nathan SevardRon is diagnosed with HIV by Dr. Sevard and Eve.
Ron Woodroof, Dr. Eve Saks, Dr. Nathan SevardRon parties with T.J. and two women.
Ron Woodroof, T.J.Ron hallucinates about his 30-day prognosis.
Ron WoodroofRon discusses his diagnosis with T.J.
Ron Woodroof, T.J.Ron researches AIDS and HIV.
Ron WoodroofRon has a flashback to a sexual encounter.
Ron WoodroofRon reacts with rage to his research findings.
Ron WoodroofRon demands to see a doctor and encounters Eve.
Ron Woodroof, Dr. Eve SaksRon asks Eve for AZT; she refuses.
Ron Woodroof, Dr. Eve SaksRon is ostracized by his friends at the bar.
Ron Woodroof, T.J., ClintRon attends an AIDS support meeting and confronts Rick Ferris.
Ron Woodroof, Rick FerrisRon prays for a sign and spots the hospital orderly.
Ron WoodroofRon observes the orderly disposing of medical supplies.
Ron WoodroofRon takes the AZT he acquired.
Ron WoodroofRon is fired from his job.
Ron Woodroof, T.J., ClintRon sits alone, feeling sick.
Ron WoodroofRon gets lost in the trailer park.
Ron WoodroofRayon meets with Eve.
Rayon, Dr. Eve SaksEve reviews Rayon's chart and discusses his missed trial appointment; Rayon expresses affection for Eve.
Dr. Eve Saks, RayonRon attempts to buy drugs from an orderly, receives a lead for Mexico, and collapses.
Ron WoodroofRon wakes up in the hospital, is questioned by Dr. Sevard about AZT, and meets Rayon in the next bed.
Ron Woodroof, Dr. Eve Saks, Dr. Nathan Sevard, RayonRon and Rayon play cards and discuss the AZT trial.
Ron Woodroof, RayonRon signs himself out of the hospital against medical advice.
Ron Woodroof, Dr. Eve SaksRon finds his trailer padlocked and evicted; he blasts the lock off.
Ron WoodroofRon retrieves hidden cash and a painting.
Ron WoodroofRon gives candy to neighborhood kids and leaves.
Ron WoodroofRon cries while driving.
Ron WoodroofRon drives through Mexico City.
Ron WoodroofRon, suffering from pneumonia, searches for Dr. Vass' clinic.
Ron WoodroofRon meets Dr. Vass, who warns him about the toxicity of AZT.
Ron Woodroof, Dr. VassDr. Vass explains how Ron's lifestyle and AZT use damaged his immune system and prescribes a new regimen.
Ron Woodroof, Dr. VassEve monitors patients in the trial.
Dr. Eve Saks, RayonSix months later, Ron is healthier; Dr. Vass introduces Peptide T.
Ron Woodroof, Dr. VassRon packs his car with illegal meds and prepares to return to the U.S.
Ron Woodroof, Dr. VassRon drives through the desert.
Ron WoodroofRon studies the border.
Ron WoodroofRon uses an I.V. bag while outside his car.
Ron WoodroofRon attempts to cross the border disguised as a priest.
Ron WoodroofRon is detained by Richard Barkley from the FDA.
Ron Woodroof, Richard BarkleyRon looks for Eve.
Ron WoodroofRon visits Eve and later Rayon arrives; Ron treats Rayon with his meds.
Ron Woodroof, Dr. Eve Saks, RayonRon tries to sell meds to the gay community.
Ron WoodroofRon speaks to a support group.
Ron WoodroofRon is approached by a man at a club.
Ron WoodroofEve notices patients are getting worse on AZT.
Dr. Eve SaksEve confronts Dr. Sevard about the AZT trial.
Dr. Eve Saks, Dr. Nathan SevardRayon finds Ron and they negotiate a business deal.
Ron Woodroof, RayonRon agrees to Rayon's terms.
Ron Woodroof, RayonRayon pushes Ron into the club.
Ron Woodroof, RayonRon watches Rayon dance.
Ron Woodroof, RayonRon is arrested while selling meds.
Ron WoodroofRon is confronted by Barkley.
Ron Woodroof, Richard Barkley, David WayneRon researches international drug laws.
Ron WoodroofRon and Rayon arrive at a motel.
Ron Woodroof, RayonRon sets up his office and meets with his attorney.
Ron Woodroof, Rayon, David WayneRon introduces Rayon to his lawyer, David Wayne, and explains his new business model for the Buyers Club.
Ron Woodroof, Rayon, David WayneEve watches a news report about the FDA approval of AZT.
Dr. Eve SaksRon and Rayon manage new customers at the club.
Ron Woodroof, RayonEve checks for messages from Ron.
Dr. Eve SaksEve arrives at the motel.
Dr. Eve SaksEve confronts Ron about his medical activities.
Ron Woodroof, Dr. Eve SaksRon and Rayon argue about diet; Ron confronts T.J.
Ron Woodroof, Rayon, T.J.Prospective buyers line up at the motel.
Ron Woodroof, RayonRon collects money from customers.
Ron WoodroofFrancine Suskind delivers Peptide T to Ron.
Ron WoodroofRon prepares for a trip to Japan.
Ron Woodroof, RayonRon travels to Japan.
Ron WoodroofRon attempts to buy interferon.
Ron WoodroofCompound Q. You know what happens if I come off it? My hair falls out, I lose weight, I can't get my dick up and I start to die. I got three hundred other people with the same experience. Peptitde T. Gets rid of dementia. Stop takin' it and you can't think straight, walk straight, or act straight. I got over two hundred people on that. You following me? DDC and DDI, both toxic, but in small doses, helps kick opportunistic infections.
The Lancet medical journal published a study conducted in France. Proves AZT alone is too toxic for most to tolerate, and had no lasting effect on HIV blood levels. Of course, Barrow Wilkem and the NIH did not include the study in their press release.
Barrow Wilkem announced today that AZT has been approved as the first drug to treat AIDS. At a cost of $10,000 per year per patient, AZT is the most expensive drug ever marketed. Barrow Wilkem stock jumped a whopping 12% today on the news.
Listen, I know what the situation is. I know people are looking for solutions. But this is not the right one. This is dangerous. You can't sell drugs to people. Do you understand?
Jesus, how many truck loads you bring back from Mexico? All for your own personal use? Here's the paper work for your LLC. I don't even want to know what it's for.
I got what you got and I have traveled the world looking for alternative medications, stuff not available yet in America, thanks to the good folks down at the FDA.
People can live with this thing for longer than they're saying. Ninety-six-percent of people diagnosed with AIDS in the U S of A will be dead in under six months.
Well as I told the gentlemen, I am a sick man. I have cancer. I take 22 pills a day and these here vials of Vitamin A, C, E and Zinc. That there is ninety days.
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