Matthew McConaughey shed 40 lbs to play the role of HIV positive Texan Ron Woodroof in highly anticipated film Dallas Buyers Club.

The results of Matthew McConaughey’s dramatic transformation are shockingly clear in a new trailer for the film.

Matthew McConaughey, 43, shows off his range in the preview footage, appearing tearful, angry and frustrated as he attempts to smuggle life-prolonging drugs into the U.S.

Dallas Buyers Club, set in 1985 Dallas, begins in the doctor’s surgery with Matthew McConaughey’s Ron Woodruff being informed he has tested positive for the HIV virus.

“Have you ever used intravenous drugs? Have you ever engaged in homos**ual conduct?” the doctor asks the initially homophobic electrician.

“You made a mistake. Because that ain’t me,” a horrified Ron Woodroof replies.

After being told he has 30 days to live, Ron Woodroof determines to find a way to survive.

“There ain’t nothing out there that can kill Ron Woodroof in 30 days,” he declares.

Matthew McConaughey shed 40 lbs to play the role of HIV positive Texan Ron Woodroof in highly anticipated film Dallas Buyers Club

Ron Woodroof  turns to Jennifer Garner’s doctor Dr. Eve Saks for assistance but is unhappy with AZT, the only conventional drug available at the time.

After learning anti-viral drugs could be found abroad but were not FDA approved within the U.S., Ron Woodroof drives to Mexico saying: “They’re not illegal, they’re merely unapproved.”

Ron Woodruff then begins bringing the drugs back over the border, initially dressing as a priest and telling customs officials he has “nada” to declare.

The trailer then cuts to him encountering Jared Leto’s transgender character Rayon on the street.

Jared Leto, who also shed 30 lbs to play the role of the HIV positive transgender, plays the part in sassy yet fragile style.

“I’ve been looking for you lone star,” she tells Ron Woodroof after getting into his car, before she negotiates “25 per cent cut” of his burgeoning operation, which he soon names Dallas Buyers Club.

“You treating these people?” Dr. Eve Saks asks, before Ron Woodroof clarifies: “They’re treating themselves. I ain’t selling drugs, I’m selling membership.”

The trailer touches on the relationship between Jared Leto and Matthew McConaughey’s characters, with former homophobe Ron Woodroof assaulting a man in a grocery store after he insults Rayon.

However, things predictably don’t all go smoothly in Ron Woodroof’s new venture.

With an increased number of HIV and AIDS patients seeking his help, he comes to the attention of the FDA who investigate.

But Ron Woodruff is clever, giving police a list of members of the club, who happen to share the monikers of the Dallas Cowboys football players.

Forced to look further afield than over the Mexican border, the movie shows Matthew McConaughey travelling all over the world in search of supplies.

“Check Amsterdam, China, Israel,” he says, while declaring: “I got one life. I want it to mean something.”

The film also follows Ron Woodroof’s personal quest to survive more than his 30 day prognosis.

In reality, he actually managed to live for a further 2191 days, passing away on September 12, 1992, six years after he was diagnosed with the HIV virus.

Meanwhile there has been growing Oscar buzz surrounding Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto’s performances after Tuesday’s first viewing of the trailer which will première at the Toronto Film Festival.

Commentators have also cited Focus Features’s decision to move the film’s release date up to November 1, in order to fully maximize its awards season chances.

[youtube U8utPuIFVnU]