The drama is based on the last years of real-life Texas electrician Ron Woodroof, who became HIV-positive through unprotected sex with a female drug user. It follows Woodroof as he comes to terms with his predicament and goes in search of the best medication for himself and, being the debt-ridden cowboy that he is, those who can pay.

Under the direction of French-Canadian filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée ( , ), doesn't dwell as much on Woodroof's misery as it plunges him into a rewarding journey of self-discovery. This is hardly your average terminal illness drama: the protagonist refuses to die - unless he can take down the establishment with him, too.

After bribing a hospital janitor for new drug azidothymidine (better known as AZT), which is still in trials, Woodroof soon finds an effective, experimental drug cocktail prescribed by a disbarred American doctor in Mexico. Soon, he's smuggling these unapproved drugs across the border like a true entrepreneur.

Charting the dying man's trailblazing endeavours to break laws and save lives, occasionally feels too simplistic to be a historical account. This is partly exemplified by Jennifer Garner's sympathetic medico, Dr Eve Saks, who readily and unreservedly buys into Woodroof's theory that high doses of AZT are killing patients amid wilful ignorance of pharmaceutical companies and the authorities.

Far more fascinating is Jared Leto's turn as the HIV-positive and drug-addicted transvestite Rayon, who becomes Woodroof's greatest emotional support and business partner in crime. Perhaps better known recently as the frontman of rock band 30 Seconds to Mars, the actor-musician's first film outing in years injects a delicate blend of humanity and flamboyance into the proceedings.

As a topical drama, is unlikely to be canonised in the same way that has been on the subject of slavery. What will live on, though, is the complex and committed roles played by both McConaughey and Leto. Surely, two of the year's best performances.

[email protected]

opens on February 20