Special guest Gareth Higgins, the author of Cinematic States, joins Andrew and Monica to discuss what makes Dallas Buyers Club so much better than it could have been. In what ways is the film restrained? How is it different from films that aim to elicit a cathartic emotional response? What single type of shot reveals that the director knows what he's doing?

SHOW NOTES:

0:22 - Intro

6:16 - Gareth's overall thoughts on Dallas Buyers Club

8:43 - Staying restrained, avoiding cathartic tears

15:42 - How to tell when a director knows what he's doing

21:10 - Real, gradual change

27:23 - The value of award ceremonies

34:53 - Show close

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