Confidently conceived and brilliantly executed,
Gattaca had a somewhat low profile release in 1997, but audiences and critics hailed the film's originality. It's since been recognized as one of the most intelligent science fiction films of the 1990s. Writer-director Andrew Niccol, the talented New Zealander who also wrote the acclaimed Jim Carrey vehicle
The Truman Show, depicts a near-future society in which one's personal and professional destiny is determined by one's genes. In this society, "Valids" (genetically engineered) qualify for positions at prestigious corporations, such as Gattaca, which grooms its most qualified employees for space exploration. "In-Valids" (naturally born), such as the film's protagonist, Vincent (Ethan Hawke), are deemed genetically flawed and subsequently fated to low-level occupations in a genetically caste society. With the help of a disabled "Valid" (Jude Law), Vincent subverts his society's social and biological barriers to pursue his dream of space travel; any random mistake--and an ongoing murder investigation at Gattaca--could reveal his plot. Part thriller, part futuristic drama and cautionary tale,
Gattaca establishes its social structure so convincingly that the entire scenario is chillingly believable. With Uma Thurman as the woman who loves Vincent and identifies with his struggle,
Gattaca is both stylish and smart, while Jude Law's performance lends the film a note of tragic and heartfelt humanity. In addition to a superb widescreen transfer, the DVD edition of
Gattaca includes several deleted scenes (and one humorous outtake), which further establish the story's social context and provide additional insight into the scientific and ethical issues explored in this extraordinary film.
--Jeff Shannon
1 Interesting Conceit Falls a Bit Short
"Gattaca" is a more than usually intelligent sci-fi film that isn't quite done justice by its uneven script. The film obviously pays a debt to Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World," but "Gattaca" actually creates a somewhat more realistic vision of a future society than does Huxley's book. Here, parents are able to genetically engineer their children into perfection from birth, and while genetic discrimination is not legal, the process results in those with superior genes having available to them advantages that do not befall the genetic inferiors.
As long as the script sticks to the pseduo-thriller plot that finds Ethan Hawke buying the genetic identity of Jude Law and then trying to cover up his fraud, the film is fairly engrossing. However, a story line involving sibling rivalry is handled very awkwardly and threatens to derail the picture about three-quarters of the way through, and a love story feels obligatory and only half-way developed. Still, the production design is stunning and almost worth sitting through just for
its own sake, and a mostly engaging plot makes for a pretty
entertaining film.
Grade: B
2 A Movie for all who are Genetically Imperfect (all of us)
+++++
(Note that this review is for the DVD "Gattaca" released Oct. 2003.)
This is a fascinating movie that gives the viewer a glimpse into humankind's possible near future.
The beginning sets the viewer up for the rest of the movie. We are shown the birth of the hero of this movie, Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), and hear his genetic profile for major afflictions:
(1) Neurological condition 60% probability
(2) Manic depression 42% probability
(3) Attention Deficit Disorder 89% probability
(4) Heart disorder 99% probability
(5) Life expectancy 30.2 years
This genetic profile has sealed the infant Vincent's fate. He is now labeled an "In-valid" or "de-GENE-erate" because of his bad genetic profile. This means that the adolescent Vincent's dream of "going into space" will not come true.
Vincent's parents decide that their next child will be almost genetically perfect. Vincent was conceived the old-fashioned way (so he's known as a "God-child") but this new child will be genetically engineered where procreation is done in a Petri dish. The parents have decided beforehand that Vincent will have a brother named Anton (Loren Dean), and that Anton is to have "hazel eyes, dark hair, and fair skin." The geneticist (Blair Underwood) who will do the genetic engineering will take care to remove "any prejudicial conditions" like "premature balding, myopia [near-sightedness], alcoholism, addictive susceptibility, propensity for violence, obesity, etc."
This genetic make-up will insure that Anton has a bright future. He is labeled a "Valid" because of his good genetic profile.
Welcome to this new world where there now is a new kind of discrimination called "GENE-oism." Vincent enters this world as a young adult who wants to attain his impossible dream.
He soon secures a lowly job at the "Gattaca Aerospace Corporation," a private space institute that at this time is planning a manned space mission to one of the moons of Saturn. (Saturn is the sixth planet of our solar system.) At this time Vincent meets a genetically enhanced person named Jerome Eugene Morrow (Jude Law). But Jerome is special. Why? Because he is disabled and even though he is nearly genetically perfect, his disability makes him useless in a world obsessed with perfection. Jerome helps Vincent try to achieve his dream.
Vincent also meets a genetically enhanced female named Irene Cassini (Uma Thurman). She also indirectly helps Vincent to achieve his dream.
The acting in this movie is well done. Ethan Hawke and especially Jude Law give very convincing performances.
The sets are very good, creating a futuristic sense but not too futuristic as to alienate viewers. As well, the background music adds to each scene.
Viewers who have some science background will also appreciate the science aspects of this movie. Some examples:
(1) The name "Gattaca" is composed of the first letters of the four building blocks that make up DNA (namely "G," "A," "T," and "C").
(2) Jerome's middle name is "Eugene" which in Greek means "well born" and is the basis of the word "Eugenics." Eugenics is the movement devoted to improving the human species through the control of hereditary factors. (It is actually the central theme of this
movie.)
(3) Irene's last name is "Cassini." This was the last name of the seventeenth century astronomer who discovered, amongst other things, the prominent gap in Saturn's rings. (Recall that the space mission in this movie is to one of Saturn's moons.)
Besides Eugenics, I think another theme of this movie is that your genes don't have to determine your fate.
Finally, DVD extras include a short featurette and deleted scenes. I found these interesting.
In conclusion, this is a rare movie since it's an intelligent combination of science fiction and thriller. With a great plot, good acting, and great visuals, it is a movie not to be missed!!
(1997; 1 hr, 45 min; widescreen; closed-captioned)
+++++
3 The real essence of being a human
I'm a big movie fan & this is one of the movies that can be watched anytime because it's got quite a universal theme.
It's a science fiction movie set in the not-so-distant future on earth. Everything will be determined by science, even your genetic make-up, and that would be what matters ... nothing else.
Ethan Hawke plays as a "God's child," someone who was conceived naturally, without the intervention of science in order to determine his genetic make-up. His whole future could already be 'read' when he was born with a single drop of his blood sample, e.g. his approximate years of life span, any future health complications, etc.
His dream was to fly into space and although he has the intelligence for the job, his genetic make-up hinders his dream.
This movie is about what science cannot intervene: fate. Ethan Hawke wants to achieve his dream and nothing could stop him. He wanted to create his own fate, not the fate that was determined by the doctors on the first day he was born.
The human body is so great and so adaptable, that even science cannot read the future of our bodies, biologically.
4 "I never saved anything for the swim back."
Well after ten years they have gone and done it. We now know how the genetic make-up of human beings. We also have electric cars and wrist radios. This is no longer sci-fi; it is speculative fiction. Or at least it is speculative. Anyway I have a friend that had a back problem in his youth. They left some dye in him and it was spotted during a job interview physical for a desk job; you guessed it.
Anyway this is a spectacular film. The sound track helped support the movie. They did a good job of picking the actors. The characters were believable. Uma did not even have to show her Thurman's. Ethan did a convincing transformation and Jude was good enough that you almost thought the film was about him. The scenes were breath taking. I was most impressed with the sunrise on the solar panels and the swim competition.
Two points to look for on your second viewing are:
1. Several times the brothers compete physically and logically. Even with his handicapped origin Ethan Hawke" Vincent Freeman" surpasses his brother Loren Dean "Anton."
2. Jude Law "Jerome Eugene Morrow" Was not without ambition. He was disappointed that his advantage was not advantageous enough for the gold and receives his gold thought the actions of Vincent.
Vincent who was conceived in the Rivera, as a love child must compete in a world where all the negative genetic dispositions are usually removed as was his brother's case. Vincent is tagged for failure at birth. To overcome this social barrier and obtain his goal of going into space, he borrows the genes of an athlete gone astray. The director where he is working (GATTACA) is killed as the last obstacle to the mission. Will Vincent be found out? Irene (Uma Thurman) suspects the number one candidate for the space trip Jerome of the murder. She never suspects that he is really Vincent.
Bottom line is if you aren't genetically correct the movie may scare you.
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Just a note to those that are DVD illiterate. Some select DVD's lend themselves very well to Superbit. This is one of those films.
When films were first transferred to DVD's they did not need that good of picture quality or sound for the average TV; so they had plenty of room left on the DVD capacity. This was a perfect platform for DVD Extras and fun fillers (and also coming attractions.) all at the expense of the more sophisticated or discerning viewer.
Today people want more from the film and have equipment with better capabilities. Thus the use of Superbit. The DVD is packed solid with more picture definition and better Sound options. Thus know room for those Extra fillers.
Also do not over look Widescreen with DTS as an option
5 Think hard work can overcome your genetic deficiencies?
Then there's a good chance, you'll really like this movie. Vincent is a God-child (not genetically enhanced), in a time when many parents choose to give their offspring as many possible advantages in life. Fortunately for Vincent "there is no gene for the human spirit". I'm sure you get where this is going by now.
Well acted, great soundtrack that fits perfectly with the movie, and great story. Want to be inspired, watch this movie.
6 about the movie Gattaca
I think it's a interesting actual subject, which makes you think about man and his nature. When the science is badly used, it could be wrong for humanity and also dangerous for the future. This movie talks about discrimination and it shows the world could be better without the differents between "valid"(is a perfect person) and "invalid"(is a person who has got a problem) human beings. My moral for this movie is "If you want, you can do it" because Gattaca talks about Willpower.
7 Welcome to Gattaca
The actors play their role well, act well. The decors are too modern, not enough diversified. The colors are often dark but hot too. We feel that the ambiance is "cold" when characters look into one another's eyes and the ubiforms are the same, they are black.
The music is sweet, lively, and gives more action and life in the film. The story is not bad, it represents well the differences between the people in some countries in the world. The beginning is a little long but the end is fascinating. The scenes where the two brothers do a stupid game in the ocean is beautiful. Gattaca is maybe the future of the world and it is scary
8 Again a film where the end is cold !!!
I like this film because, i think the story is very good. I like the part of the film where Jerome swims whith his brother as far as they can and the loser is the one who is scared,[...]. The world of Gattaca looks like South Africa (before 1990's)or the United States, (before 1770's)the blacks could not work with the whites. It's a racist System, it's a crime against mankind. In Gattaca life is easy for "the perfect persons", they can become doctors, astronauts but for the "invalids" life is very hard they must sweep or clean the building of Gattaca.
9 A good film, complex but very interesting
I love the film. The story is very intelligent because it's a story about genoism (a strange form of racism). It's in a near future, so the technology is rather more advanced than ours. It's spectacular ! But sometimes it's quite difficult to understand... It's complex. But finally, it's a good film. A very good film !
10 The better science fiction movie of the year 1997.
Welcome to Gattaca is a very good movie with very good actors (like Uma Thurman). The story is very nice and we want to know the end of the movie from the beginning. There are no special effects like the other science-fiction movies but it's nevertheless a very nice movie. You must have this movie !
I think that it's the best science fiction movie of the year 1997.
11 Don't overlook Jude Law in this cautionary tale
One hallmark of a truly good movie is that it leads to other good works and such is true of "Gattaca". I have become an instant fan of not one, or two, but three of this movie's main actors. All have gone on from here to produce superb performances in better than most movies.
"Gattaca" combines what movie-buffs like me love most. An all-star, -- physically beautiful --, young cast, heroes, villains, brotherly love and rivalry, a struggle against government oppression and all set in a not-so-unlikely, not-so-distant disturbing future-world.
Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, two of the best actors of their generation (particularly Miss Thurman), give superior performances. The two main stars had an obvious chemistry both on and off the screen (They married and had a daughter). Although not a block-buster, the film has enjoyed a cult following and is a popular rental.
This movie like all good science fiction relies on a good plot full of human drama that could just as well be set in present-time under slightly different circumstances. The backdrop, lighting and futuristic architecture and even the sound is spooky and eerie. I loved the formal dress everyone wore that more than anything else contributed to the future feel of the movie. The only distraction though is the presence of automobiles that look too much (but don't sound like) cars of this time.
I found it impossible to ignore British actor Jude Law in this film -- particularly the second time I watched it. This movie was Mr. Law's first big break after doing numerous independent films as well as Broadway (for which he earned a Tony nomination). Mr. Law's character is pivotal to the storyline, and his eventual demise is a heartbreaking subplot to the main story. You may not at first recognize him, but you will recall his other subsequent roles in "A.I", Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and "The Talented Mr. Ripley" in which he plays Matt Damon's love interest.
More recently he has made "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" starring opposite Gwyneth Paltrow. That movie is next on my list.
12 A "Must Own" for Sci Fi Lovers
Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Gore Vidal and especially Jude Law all shine in this low key sci fi drama set in the not too distant future. Two trends that are now really beginning to unfold have reached their full fruition: 1) genetic engineering has reached the level where it is available "over the counter"; and 2) society has completely split into a privledged and unprivledged caste system, based almost entirely on the genetic quotient.
But what happens when a genetically inferior person has the motivation and determination to enter the world of the privledeged ? How can he fool all the technology, which identifies him with blood, urine and other DNA sampling methods at every turn ?
This is one movie you might not fully appreciate after the first viewing. Thanks to the brilliant and captivating performance of Jude Law, I watched the film again, then again. After about the fourth viewing, I decided this is a "must own" for my sci fi collection. Although the ending is bittersweet, it does satisfy, leaving a glimmer of hope that the human spirit will triumph.
13 The Not So Distant Future of GATTACA
GATTACA examines the nature of personal identity, personal destiny, and the idea that an individual can become more than the sum of his parts. Aldous Huxley's Brave New World already thoroughly covers these same themes regarding formulated utopias and caste systems, but GATTACA approaches them in a more sincere and less satirical manner than does Huxley's work. GATTACA is therefore a very literate piece of speculative science fiction that should appeal to those who desire more than the standard Star Wars or implausible alien fare. Unfortunately, the film is a bit too cerebral for the average filmgoer, and probably explains why GATTACA did not do so well in the box office.
GATTACA is about the story of a future society where one's ID has become their gene-pool. Those with an "acceptable" gene combination are given access to the better jobs and prospects, and most importantly a chance to leave this planet for outer space, where, by then, humans are exploring domains far beyond their own solar system. Those with an undesirable gene combination, that is, a predisposition for disease, health problems, low life expectancy, and other "imperfections," are deemed, and doomed, to become society's second class citizens demoted to menial jobs and the streets. The first category is the "valids" and the second the "in-valids".
The film tells the story of the symbolically named Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) who sets out to follow his dream of space travel, even though he was born the "old-fashioned" way, which renders him genetically flawed. As such, he is forced to work in low-level occupations, the fate of all "in-valids," who represent the untouchables of that future class system in which genetic engineering has replaced the divisive powers formerly held only by wealth alone. Vincent, resourceful because of his spirit, a tendency for which there is no gene, as the movie's tagline suggests, finds a way to make his dreams a reality, though not without the help of a disabled "valid" (Jude Law). The "valid" Jerome, who lends Vincent his identity, as well as regular samples of his blood, urine, and other genetic identifiers used in monitoring society's privileged caste, while in possession of superior genes, lacks the one thing that transforms dreams into reality: the spirit of ambition, or the desire exceed expectations.
Writer/director Andrew Niccol has rendered an ideal film depicting a future where governments determine its citizen's place in society before they're even born. This is fascism in its purest form. Our protagonist, Vincent, had the misfortune of being born a "God-child" conceived in the back seat of his parent's car. In the metallic, clinical, and sterile world of this film physical love is unnatural. Sex is an impulsive passionate act and therefore not in tune with the perfection of an intelligent, balanced, stoic, and ultimately robotic population. He is a "degenerate" whose future has been already determined, a life of undesirable jobs, being a marked citizen, and the stigma as an "invalid." One day he realizes, after saving his near perfect, genetically engineered brother's life that he has what it takes to join the ranks of society's elite, and sets a plan in motion to join the GATTACA Company. And the extent Vincent goes to in order to achieve his goal is nothing less than inspiring.
Considering the current lock down of our rights in society, (fingerprinting, racial profiling, and the unconstitutional patriot act) and due process dwindling at an alarming rate; genetic science becoming society's sole judge and executioner in our courts of law, and genetic science itself moving ahead in leaps and bounds without true and productive debate about the ethical implications, the world of GATTACA is almost upon us. As the film states at the beginning, "In the not so distant future," is a frightening reality we must consider. This is an important film that should not be ignored.
Niccol's film is clever and full of detail, right down to the words and phrases - degenerates, borrowed ladders, "Eugene" and eugenics, GATTACA and the G-A-T-T-A-C-A sequences that make up DNA. Eugenics as a form of social control by governments over its subjects is a very real issue. The formation of a so-called "perfect" human being by way of genetic manipulation is a current science that is developing at such a rate that the ethical issues the subject raises, and the productive dialogue required when artificially controlling life, is falling way behind. Although eugenics is based on positive principle of breeding the best, it has been manipulated by Hitler, China, and even in our own federal government with terrifying consequences. The consequences include genocide, infanticide, and involuntary sterilization.
In Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, he explores a society where genetics is used to create the perfect society, and the ethical and social implications of such a world. He does not paint a positive picture. As Vincent proclaims, "Discrimination has now become a science," regarding one's social status in society solely determined by the perfections or imperfections of their genetic make-up. Those without imperfections, the biological determined "elite," are placed in the prestigious and important jobs and enjoy all the benefits. More than anything else, I believe, this important film is about the strength of the human spirit over so-called biological determinism. As Vincent, shows us, the will of the spirit far outweighs one's genetic predisposition.
Although GATTACA takes place in a "not so distant future," like all serious science fiction works, it is a commentary about the present. In its stylishly sequenced narrative, it is also a passionate tribute to the romantic notion that the human spirit is, and always will be, beyond the callous grip of science. Ironically, it may have been that very same romantic ambition of the human spirit, which drives Vincent towards the stars that brought the deadening "perfection" of the tightly controlled world of GATTACA into being in the first place. So while we observe this work of "fiction" we must realize that if a society is truly "judged on how it treats its least members" then is the "not so distant future" today?
14 Thoughtful and interesting
Now what would happen in the world of the future, one in which genetic testing and manipulation could create "perfect" children? One: it could never happen. Jude Law's character is an example of that. The Golden Boy isn't such a one at all. Try as science might, human natuure isn't perfectable, even if hiden underneath a genetically "perfect" body. Two, the genetically imperfect (the natural-born) become outcasts. If you have the perfect, you also have to cast out the imperfect. Three: the human spirit triumphs all. In some ways a great film, and certainly a thoughtful one. And it was nice to see that Gore Vidal, of all people, actually has some acting talent.
15 Threats are promises, too
This movie is about the promise of modern genetics, both passive, reading one's identity from a sample, and active, in changing the physical character of a person-to-be.
In this dystopian world, genetic determinism has taken over every aspect of life. Babies are built to order, with soothing assurances from the practitioners that it's really quite natural. A job interview consists of a cell sample - anyone with all the right strengths is in. That excludes people with any molecular flaw, including Vincent.
The movie acknowledges that the genes make the man (or woman), but points out that it takes a lot more than just genes. Jerome, one of the genetic elite, is physically and spirtually crippled by accident. His golden genes don't do him a lot of good. Vincent has the flaws we would call "the human condition," unacceptable in his world, but personal drive and determination to overcome almost any obstacle. In an elaborate ruse, Vincent presents Jerome's genetic identity as his qualification to enter the highest echelons of achievement. He excels, because of his drive, but that is taken for granted because of "his" genes.
Uma Thurman appears in a prim, starchy role, with a pinstripe business suit and hair in a severe bun. Jude Law plays the grating, spoiled Jerome, showing again that there's more to a man than the meat he's made from. Ethan Hawke does a good job as Vincent, always a moment from discovery and from being stripped of that world's highest rewards. This isn't an action movie, no guns or chases, but good suspense.
It's also a reminder that, whatever good the new biomed technologies bring, there is danger, too. It is one role of science fiction, to explore the possibilities without actually incurring the human cost, and this movie does a fine job.
//wiredweird
16 "I only lent you my body. You lent me your dream."
You may not be able to tell a good book by its cover, but it seems to me that much of the time you can tell a good movie by its opening credits. GATTACA begins with extreme closeups of the genetic material falling off of a man while he grooming himself early in the morning, at the main credits appear with the letter of the genetic code standing out from the other letters. A brilliant opening score is paired with this beginning, and it only gets better from there. Like the opening credits, the entire movie is less about flash and more about substance, depth, and (in my opinion) sheer genius.
GATTACA is a science-fiction film, but unlike the science-fantasy people have come to associate with the genre (Star Trek and Star Wars for instance), it focuses on the ideas of the possible and their implications rather than on silly monsters and overblown special effects. You could say that GATTACA is at its heart a 1984-style tale of a dystopian future, but the effect of slightly altered reality is so perfectly subtle (the only differences between our world and this one is frequent rocketship launches, faster computers, electric vehicles, and a stylishly retro feel) that it may be the exquisite camerawork and cinematography (with a slight yellow-green tint to everything) that ultimately gives you the feeling that something in this world of tomorrow is not-quite-right.
There is no gene for the human spirit. When discrimination is down to a science, and the gene police are everywhere, a normal flawed human being has to push themself to their limits and beyond, "exceeding their potential" in order to find their dreams and be freed from an invisible social-order prison. The struggle of the protagonist (one Vincent Freeman) against a world obsessed with perfection makes for an incredibly gripping drama.
Indeed, this film features some of the finest performances I had ever witnessed. Everyone does a spectacular job, but there are some standouts. Ethan Hawke gives the finest performance I ahve ever seen out of him. Ditto for Uma Thurman, who gives a perfect icy performance as Irene. And Jude Law... plays a perfect person in a way that had me crying foul when he wasn't nominated for best supporting actor.
Actually, I was surprised when I found out this movie was only nominated for one Academy Award (and won 0!). I really feel it should have won for best script, best cimematography, best director, best supporting actor, and best film score (perhaps the finest that Michael Nyman ever created). But with Titanic coming out that year, even the tour-de-force Hamlet was ignored.
This movie will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the finest science-fiction films ever created. In my opinion, it is one of the few truly perfect films ever crafted. Any serious fan of science-fiction will probably want to own this one.
17 Beautiful and Inspirational -- My Favorite Movie of All Time
GATTACA is, in my book, one of the finest movies ever made. It's a movie about believing in yourself even when no one else does. It's thought provoking, beautiful, and inspirational. This is a true masterpiece.
GATTACA is set in the near future, when your genes determine your status in society. Vincent (played by Ethan Hawke) is one of the now few invalids (people who have not been genetically engineered). Vincent's dream is to one day travel into space,
but because of genoism (genetic discrimination), he is forced to work as a janitor. However, through hard work and help from Eugene (Jude Law), he somehow manages to find a way to beat the system to achieve his childhood dream.
Irene (Uma Thurman)is Vincent's love interest. She, like Eugene, is genetically engineered but has a heart condition, and, like Eugene, suffers from the burden of perfection. She sadly tells Vincent that because of her heart condition she will never be assigned to a mission beyond Earth's orbit. Irene's tone and demeanor is a quiet sadness throughout the movie, which complements the movie's entire tone: bleak, sterile, and cold.
Eugene is charming and delightful to watch, as he provides relief from the sullen tone throughout the movie with his humorous quips ("Shall I save you some?" he asks Vincent after vomiting.)
The ending is unexpected and sad, yet somewhat fitting, and will leave you thinking.
I was completely blown away the first time I saw GATTACA. Since then I have watched it five more times, and it only gets better with each viewing, never losing it's ability to inspire, thanks in part to the beautiful and inspirational score.
GATTACA is rich with memorable scenes and quotes. Just a few of my favorite:
Scenes
-When the nursery school worker literally slams a gate shut in young Vincent's face, after denying him admittance (as his physical conditions would prevent him from being covered by insurance.) The bars of the gate symbolically show Vincent being separated from the "valid" world.
-When Vincent's father records Anton and Vincent's heights with a marker on the wall, you can see, from previous marks, that Anton, although the younger brother, is quickly gaining on Vincent. After the measuring, the father smiles and rubs Anton's head, leaving Vincent in the background, sadly erasing his measurements with his fingers. This scene captures the inferiority Vincent felt and sadness of being loved less because of it.
-When Irene leads Vincent outside to see the sun set on a shimmering series of moving panels. The music in this scene captures the moment perfectly and combined with the dazzling visuals, makes for a truly beautiful scene.
Quotes
-Vincent (to Irene), on her lack of faith in her abilities because of her imperfections: "You are the authority on what is not possible, aren't you Irene? They've got you looking so hard for any flaw that after a while, that's all you see. For whatever it's worth, I'm here to tell you that it is possible. It is possible."
-Vincent, to Anton, on how he beat him in a swimming contest, where whoever could swim the furthest from shore wins: "This is
how I did it, Anton: I never saved anything for the swim back."
18 Gattaca: Not just for sci-fi fans.
I have never really been into "sci-fi" type movies, but I absolutely love this film. I think it says so much about humanity and the human spirit, and the futuristic setting works well without overpowering the story. A must-see.
19 A Classic Sci-Fi film in it's own right.
I could tell you the plot of the movie. But after reading the many reviews already posted before me, I suggest you just read on to the others. The reason for my writing this is to tell you why this movie, in my mind's eye, stands head and shoulders above Science Fiction films w/ the exception of Ridley Scott's "Alien" and "Blade Runner". (Lest we not forget about Stanley Kubrick also.)
Gattaca is way ahead of it's time in dealing with a ("very") possible future. It asks questions of what constitutes perfection in a society which is inherently flawed. The film portrays a future which appears sterile and, seemingly, totalitarian. Mankind's status becomes solely judged not on wealth but on one's genetic structure. Preferably, those who were chosen to be genetically altered (by the Birth Parents, no less) to be the "Perfect(ed)" individual. Those who were conceived "Naturally" with no genetic tampering to "improve the condition" of the individual are seen as weak. Thus, defining their status as the lowest form of life in Man's eyes. To be "perfect" is to be "prefect" from all the others.(Ironically, as shallow as this film seems in it's theme, it's not far off from how we perceive ourselves today. Especially in the media and entertainment.)
This film asks the questions of how we define "perfection" in ourselves and our surroundings. Where do we draw the line in a world which draws closer to genetic manipulation. This is what makes this film original. Not just in scope, but in it's ideal themes. It questions humanity and the "human spirit". The amazing thing of this film is the lack of special effects. The cinematography, on the other hand, is stunning and visceral. At times, it feels as if you're looking at a painting which helps realize the environment even more. What's even more fascinating is the lack of special effects. It's based more on the mood and pace of the film & characters which help this amazing film. This may not be "The Matrix". Nor was it a commercial success at the time of release. But the philosophical themes and ideals couldn't be more realized.
20 Extraordinary
"Gattaca" (1997 - 112 minutes) is one of the best scientific fiction movies of the 90 years. Deep, overwhelming and controversial, it was written and directed by Andrew Niccol. Gattaca, the name of a specific DNA strain sequence of the human body, is also the denomination of a space trip megacorporation. The society described in the narrative adopts the genetic manipulation to improve the attributes of each human being. In fact, the people are classified as "valids" [or perfect conceived in laboratory] and "invalids" [conceived by the natural method]. Vincent Freeman [the actor Ethan Hawke] is one of "invalids" having to support his stigma of birth, beyond other imperfections. He has an illness that limits his life to 30 years - in contrast to his younger brother, Anton [Loren Dean], that was designed genetically and is a member of the elite. But Vincent did not accept his destiny. He aims for changing his life and fulfill his dreams, travelling to other planets. To qualify himself as a space pilot, the young one would have to be "perfect" or "valid". As in that society the identity of someone was not confirmed by documents but by their genes, Vincent perceives that he has to turn himself into another person to obtain what he wants. Through a DNA trader, he knows Jerome Eugene Morrow [the actor Jude Law], a superior being that was paralyzed in an accident and was excluded from the society. Using samples of blood, hair, skin and urine of Jerome, Vincent assumes his identity, becoming a navigator. Vincent also falls in love for the pretty Irene [the actress Uma Thurman], his colleague in Gattaca, that does not know his true identity. One week before the space mission, a murder in Gattaca starts an inquiry led for Anton, that is a policeman. Vincent is in a great danger to be discovered.
The main message of the film is that there is no genes for the spirit. Extraordinary.
21 BRILLIANT MOVIE - SUPERBIT WARNING
This is not a typical film review, but a warning about the downside of the new Superbit version. Though the picture is beautiful, no question - the Superbit version does not include the extras that add so much texture and insight to the original DVD film experience itself.
I love this movie, and the extras on its original DVD release added to my enjoyment. So when the nice, new, silver-boxed version came out I expected that in addition to its improved picture there would be even more extras, in the tradition of other special collection releases. I was surprised that not only weren't there new extras, there weren't extras, period.
I'm not saying don't buy the Superbit version, but you deserve to know what you're not getting.
22 Cure for insomnia
This film has lots going for it - a fine soundtrack (Michael Nyman), some interesting sets, even Uma Thurman. . . But it is fantastically dull.
The basic premise, outlined in detail elsewhere, has been far more entertainingly explored in films like Blade Runner, and 'The Boys from Brazil'.
If you're seeking some intelligent dystopia, try 'Brazil' - or if you're really highbrow, read 'The Man in the High Castle', or 'Brave New World'.
I hate to slag off a film that has so much going for it (it is good to see Alan Arkin and Gore Vidal up there on the silver screen), but to be honest, I found this lacking in any depth whatsoever. I can hear the groans from here, but I found 'Paycheck' a lot more thought-provoking. . .
23 The Human Spirit Prevails
A movie that touched my heart. The line towards the end of the movie that Jude Law's character reads, "You lent me your dreams" I thought pretty much sums it up.
In life, if you work hard enough, mix with a little bit of "cheating" to outwit the system, you'll get what you want. That's the basis of this movie, but not how the actors portrayed it. They did a remarkable job about how an unknown could make it in the big world, with help from friends, and still find a girlfriend! The human spirit really endures and perseveres here.
That, and it's an Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Jude Law movie, who better actors can you ask for?
24 Gattaca
very good. Its the most thrilling yet provocative science film created. Its a thriller with an idea.
25 My Favorite Movie of ALL TIME
Everyone should see this movie regardless of whether or not one prefers to see science fiction movies. Aside from the awe-inspiring cinemetography and the eeringly realistic storyline, I loved its message about the possibility of a person overcoming one's perceived shortcomings; and not allowing anyone to define one's destiny. I buy copies of this movie whenever I can and gift it to all of my loved ones, friends and teachers I admire. Please see this film.
26 Ugh!
This movie was terrible. Right from the opening credits in which it looks like it is snowing but which is revealed to be flakes of skin being scraped off, I knew this was going to be a dud. That was just gross. I almost walked out of the theater right there! But I stayed and the rest of the movie confirmed what to me was clear in those first few minutes - this movie sucked! Ugh!
27 Gattaca is an unforgettable warning
The best exploration of the possibility of genetically modified people becoming a separate social and economic class leaving behind and opressing those who are not genetically modified.
28 My favorite film
The word "Inspiring" is grossly overused in film reviews. Gattaca is one of the very few that genuinely deserves it. In a nutshell, it's the story of a mutt (Ethan Hawke) bypassing and surpassing a world that's designed against him. This movie really affected me (another overused appraisal.)
Maybe I just love this movie because I relate too much to the protaganist, Vincent. Despite everyones expectations, from my high school counseler on, and my lack of any prestigious schooling, I'll soon have my physics PhD.
This is a wonderful movie. That it didnt sweep the Oscars only validates the movies point.
29 "There Is No Gene for the Human Spirit"
1997's science-fiction drama GATTACA offers an intelligent look into the possible future of applied DNA science, a future where potential parents are given the ability to determine the genetic characteristics and thereby create a society of near-perfect super-humans. As one might deduce, this means that individuals born the "natural way"--such folk are referred to as "In-Valids"--are deemed inferior and prejudicially relegated to the lower rungs of the social ladder. In other words, In-Valids are considered mere mortals in this high-tech, genetically engineered world, and as such, education and opportunity are socially beyond their reach.
The film's plot revolves around Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), an In-Valid who works as a janitor at an aerospace firm named Gattaca Corporation. But in spite of society's view of him, Vincent has dreams of someday going into space himself, and his intelligence and all-consuming drive to find a way to transcend societally imposed barriers leads him into an alliance with a black-marketeer (Tony Shalhoub) and a genetically "superior" young man (Jude Law) who wants to sell his own identity. Soon Vincent is engaged in a scheme to secure employment as an engineer at Gattaca and thereby realize his goals and dreams. But once he's finally on the other side of the fence, how long can he sustain such subterfuge in a society where an individual's genetic identity is constantly monitored and even a lost eyelash can provide authorities with enough genetic material to expose a fraud?
GATTACA examines the nature of personal identity, personal destiny, and the idea that an individual can become more than the sum of his parts. Aldous Huxley's BRAVE NEW WORLD already thoroughly covers these same themes, but GATTACA approaches them in a more earnest and less satirical manner than does Huxley's magnum opus. GATTACA is therefore a very literate piece of speculative SF that should appeal to those who desire more than the standard STAR WARS (1977) or bug-eyed alien fare. Unfortunately, the film is a bit too cerebral for the average filmgoer, and probably explains why GATTACA was a bit of a bomb at the box office.
The film is excellently scripted and directed by Andrew Niccol, who later penned the script for the acclaimed THE TRUMAN SHOW (1998). The all-star cast does a fantastic job of acting, too, even those in minor roles (watch for Ernest Borgnine, Gore Vidal, Xander Berkeley, and others). Slawomir Idziak's cinematography is gorgeous but never overwhelms the story, and the special FX, though minimal, are subtle and quite effective. GATTACA is a great example of what thoughtful, intelligent SF cinema should be.
The standard DVD version of GATTACA from Columbia/Tristar offers a very good digital transfer of the film (there are a few filmic artifacts) in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. It also has bonus material that includes a short featurette, trailers, and some deleted scenes. The SuperBit DVD version--also in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen--offers a crisper, less grainy digital transfer, but it was apparently made from the same source and therefore contains the same filmic artifacts. (Audiophiles note: the SuperBit does have superior sound.) Keep in mind that, as with other SuperBit offerings from Columbia/Tristar, the increased bit rate comes at the cost of bonus material--you get the film only. And the higher cost of the SuperBit is justifiable only if you have a high-definition TV and can therefore appreciate the extra visual info. Regardless of which DVD version is purchased, however, a GATTACA DVD is a must-own for any true fan of intelligent speculative science fiction.
30 Brave New World
This movie reminded me most of Aldous Huxley's famous novel: Brave New World. This book is about how your genes make you what you are in life.
The same happens in this movie. Ethan Hawke is born a degenerate, someone born only through his parents without any interference. His brother however was 'crafted'. He has a heart condition which should have killed him but he is still alive. His dream is to get into space and he therefore takes on the identity of someone who is capable of going into space but is crippled. Through DNA tricks he tries to but gets involved in a murder scandal.
The movie has no special effects and does not need them. It's a murder mystery in the not too distant future. As mentioned before the book Brave New World comes to mind but also the movie 'AI' in its cleverness and 'Blade Runner' in it's artistic sense, even a little 'Brazil'.
Don't expect CGI's or fancy SF stuff but a good story.
31 Science Fiction For The Thinking Viewer
Gattaca paints a future where the haves are genetically designed and the have-nots are genetically inferior with no hope of advancement. But one young man has a dream. He wants to get into space. To do this he works out and studies as hard as he is able. But all of the hard work does no good. Then he finds a way.
Occasionally one of the haves has an accident. Then it is possible to assume that person's identity armed with genetic traces, blood and urine samples and some creative surgery. Thus armed he is able to enter Gattaca (the organization responsible for space flight) where he wins a position on the mission to Titan. But there is a hitch; a murder. During the investigative sweep one of his eyelashes is found and the search begins in earnest.
Most of the rest of the movie is involved with trying to maintain identity long enough to manage take off. Complicating matters are a Columbo-style detective (Alan Arkin), a love interest (Uma Thurman) and his brother from his old life. In the end it comes down to a simple idea. Many of the haves know a have-not (be it a child, sibling or whatever) who they have had to abandon and our hero represents the one ray of hope that these people can have. So just as he is discovered, the discoverers each have a reason to not turn him in and he begins the mission to Titan.
Gattaca, with its heavy detective cat-and-mouse, could be the successor to Alfred Bester's THE DEMOLISHED MAN. This was a very well made film with a good story, characters, acting and pacing. There were excellent performances from many of the cast including author Gore Vidal. If you like your films with a bit of thought then this is one you should look out for.
32 Brilliant out of the ordinary sci-fi...
It wasn't exactly surprising that this masterful film escaped most radars. Without bombastic effects and without any mass promotion and media brouhaha it was released almost silently and has gained the reputation of a true classic ever since.
Twenty minutes into this film and all the tell-tale signs of a great and capturing story are already well in place and it almost never lets down after that.
With all the dystopia banners obvious to anyone who's lost his optimism, Gattaca is about the story of a future society where ID has become one's gene-pool. Those with an "acceptable" gene combination are given access to the better jobs and prospects, and most importantly a chance to leave this planet for outer space, where, by then, humans are exploring domains far beyond their own solar system. Those with an undesirable gene combination, that is, big probability for disease, or other health failures and low life expectancy, are deemed, and doomed, to become society's low-rank water-carriers. The first category is the "valids" and the second the "in-valids".
One such invalid driven by his passionate dream of outer-space travel, finds a way to beat the system, by using blood and hair samples of a former valid who's incapacitated by partial paralysis. He assumes his new ID with full co-operation by the former invalid, and both these peoples' lives become an excruciating every day routine of trying to keep beating the control-checks and achieving each their own goals. Things turn even edgier when a murder investigation inside the base for space-travel points worrying leads towards the (...) and the police are hot on his trail. From then on it becomes a race of time. If he makes it he's safe for good, safe in the confines of the surreal distance that will separate him and the earth as his destination is Titan, a planet several years of distance away.
Gattaca is without a doubt one of the most intelligent films in recent time. Packed with superb ideas about a dystopian future without resorting to pomposity is its utter brilliance, subtle and convincing performances cement the result and the directing is equally great, using color and unidentifiable space to set the atmosphere.
Ethan Hawke plays the system-beater according to the cue of the story, always below the surface, and always with a "looking-behind-the-shoulder" aura. But the show is actually stolen by Jude Law, his Identity Giver and an ex-wonder "gene holder", who has to daily swallow his bitterness while trying to make what he thinks as best out of the situation. Uma Thurman is rather confined to the backround in the story, making Gattaca primarily a two-actor film. But this never undermines the force of this movie, instead it helps emphasize the story even more.
Incredibly poetic, especially the ending, and melancholically romantic, Gattaca is a tremendous film the full impact of which catches up with you after it's finished. Great on all levels with the slight exception of the love affair between Hawke and Thurman which doesn't serve much really but that does little to undermine the overall picture.
Essential for the sci-fi oriented and fans of intelligent cinema alike.
33 Sci-fi possibilities?
Gattaca
Andrew Niccol makes his film dŽbut with Gattaca (1997). Born in New Zealand he is also a screen writer and director. He directed TV commercials in London before moving to Los Angles, where he felt that he could do something with more substance than commercials. Niccol actually made our deepest fantasies come true with this sci-fi thriller film. One is reminded of Orwell's book 1984, which also delves into the mind of the devious, not to mention Lois Lowry's book, The Giver. Both authors, along with Niccol give us glimpses into a futurist world where society is stratified; life is pretty much predictable for the privileged, those not so well endowed have to scrounge for their very existence. The message here is that we need to face our deepest fears and conquer them. We have the means at our disposal to do anything that we want or put our minds to do.
Niccol's use of dark and light portrayed sinister happenings, which had to be hid from the authorities. The hiding in the shadows, added to the drama of the situation where Vincent (Ethan Hawke) was almost caught by his brother, in a nightclub, where by societal standards he was not allowed to be as an invalid. Vincent found that he was able to achieve his dream, though not without help along the way. Even though he lived in a closed society, he managed to escape from living the life of the marginalized.
One of the two major thoughts that came from this movie for me is how we as a society are not really that far from the practice of eugenetics. Eugenetics is the practice of genetically altering the gene pool, DNA of a species. While this film shows that practice in the form of shifting out unwanted traits; i.e. obesity, and other harmful physical conditions, one thing that could not be genetically altered was the spirit or soul of the individual. Each person is an individual which thinks differently and uniquely from any one else. The possibilities are endless, especially since this technology is already in use for cancer treatments. But reality also shows that not everything shows up in the genes of individuals.
The other thought brings into focus much of what has been happening in the development of identification technology. The use of lasers to identify individual through their eye imprints, is now available in certain secure government facilities. The future may be nearer than we think.
34 Do you know how I beat you?
This is a great movie! I didn't know anything about this movie until last night. I can't believe how I missed this movie. It's about discrimination, faith and human potential. You are not only body. You are not only genetic flesh. You are human. This is all about the movie. Watch this movie. You WON'T regret.
35 Great Overlooked Sci-Fi Film!
Just rented this movie last night for the first time and I must say that I am truly impressed. A bit slow moving, but makes up for it in smarts, music and acting. This is Jude Laws first major role as the cripple and you can tell right away why he has become such a great actor. This movie and "Training Day" are probably the only two films I can stand Ethan Hawke in and thats a good thing. Uma Thurman is pretty good and beautiful as the love interest (see the "Kill Bill" Volumes for true Uma!). Ethan was a retard for cheating on her in real life! If you want a great science fiction film with events that could actually happen one day, look no further than Gattaca.
36 A Very Smart Film!
A great sci-fi film that has genetic engineering, class discrimination and an intriguing murder mystery. Ethan Hawke is fantastic as Vincent, a man with a heart defect who has to fool the world in order to be a recruit for space flight. Jude Law's performance as Jerome, the cripple who gives his own identity to Vincent, is one of the best performances of the 90's. Law's best scene is when he has to climb the stairs only using his arms. Amazing!
37 Discrimination has now become a science...
Eugenics as a form of social control by governments over its subjects is a very real issue. The formation of a so-called `perfect' human being by way of genetic manipulation is a current science that is developing at such a rate that the ethical issues the subject raises, and the productive dialogue required when artificially controlling life, is falling way behind. In Aldous Huxley's `Brave New World Revisited', he explores a society where genetics is used to create the perfect society, and the ethical and social implications of such a world. He does not paint a positive picture. As the main character, Vincent, in this film proclaims, "Discrimination has now become a science." One's social status in society is solely determined by the perfections or imperfections of their genetic make-up. What does society do with its genetic imperfections? In the film, the lower end of the gene pool is relegated to menial jobs and the streets. Those without imperfections, the biological determined `elite', are placed in the prestigious and important jobs and enjoy all the benefits. More than anything else, I believe, this important film is about the strength of the human spirit over so-called biological determinism. As the main character, Vincent, shows us, the will of the spirit far outweighs one's genetic predisposition.
Writer/director Andrew Nicole (Simone, The Truman Show) has rendered a near perfect film depicting a not so future dystopian world where governments determine its citizen's place in society before they're even born. This is fascism in its purest form. Our protagonist, Vincent, had the misfortune of being born a `love child' conceived in the back seat of his parent's car. He is a `de(gene)rate' whose future has been already determined: a life of slovenly jobs, a marked citizen, known as an `invalid'. One day he realises, after saving his near perfect, genetically engineered brother's life, that he has what it takes to join the ranks of society's elite, and sets a plan in motion to join the Gattaca company. The lengths this boy goes to in order to achieve his goal is nothing less than astounding.
Considering the current lock down of our rights in society, (fingerprinting and computerized mugshots at every border airport) and due process dwindling at an alarming rate; genetic science becoming society's sole judge and executioner in our courts of law; and genetic science itself moving ahead in leaps and bounds without true and productive debate about the ethical implications, the world of Gattaca is almost upon us. As the film states at the beginning, "In the not so distant future.", is a frightening reality we must consider. This is an important film that should not be ignored.
38 Excellent movie
Absolutely excellent movie that reflects the power of dreams and of the will to prevail despite circumstances. Superb acting and intelligent plot!
39 Smart Sci-fi Drama/Romance... Worth Owning
Gattaca is a sci-fi/drama classic that even the most sci-fi adverse crowd will enjoy. The story, though set in the not-so-distant future, is not so much a tecno dazzler like the Matrix rather an exploration into the power of the human spirit. The story digs deep enough into the science to show the biotech driven Big Brother society we could grow into if we are not careful without overloading those who aren't interested in that sort of thing. There is also a good romantic side story involving Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. The entire cast is excellent with a breakout performance by Jude Law.
40 Gattaca
I really liked this movie!
The plot is quite interesting even if it is quite classical (in a world of injustice, the good deserving guy takes the place of the genetically perfect and realises his dreams by working hard). Set in the world of Gattaca, the plot keeps you interested thourough the movie (you can only guess who the murderer is), there even is a slight touch of humor. The characters are realistic and interesting and quite endearing. The end is quite good, not too much the happy-ending type.
I was concerned that this would be one of those sci-fi stories where the special effects are the only important thing, so I was enchanted to find out that there were no battles between human and machines, for example.
I found the whole idea of this world of genetical perfection quite captivating and it made me reflect about the future. The world that is portraied isn't really one that you would want to live in, the "invalid" being denied a normal life and the "valid" not being very happy either. It shows that some kind of discrimination will always exist.
The cast is outstanding, Ethan Hawk and Uma Thurman are both good actors, but Jude Law was the one that attracted my attention by his great performance. I really think he was wonferful. His character really added something to the film as you discover the "human" under the image of perfection.
Supported by a perfect cast, this movie really makes you reflect and you won't forget it!
41 Hawke's finest role to date
A beautiful story of hope and passion, Gattaca is one of the best science fiction pictures ever made, along with a fantastic music and a very good cast and acting.This may be Hawke's finest role to date, and his only appearence in a cult and, in my opinion, a classic movie.
Not to be missed.
[4.5 / 5] [A-]
42 Litmus Test Movie
One can tell a lot about a person by their reaction to Gattaca. (1) It was a commercial dud, so few will know what you're talking about, and (2) Most people don't see it for what it is. There's just not enough life here - at least not at the surface. For that 4% of us who do enjoy this movie, we belong to a distinct tribe, and we recognize in this flick a certain kind of intellectual philosophical adventure which is rare and powerful.
I liked this film. It's one of the very few successful deep sci-fi films ever, and it's more impressive to me because they did it with no budget and without distracting toys. This film is an adult thought-experiment, making a statement about a number of related issues regarding genetics, social engineering and the nature of the self.
Personally, I think a variation of Gattaca's future-dystopia will be realized someday - maybe not in our lifetimes, but still - the Darwinian forces that would cause Gattaca are real, and they will effect the real future in one way or another. Passing laws against this 'progress' would be like outlawing the motions of the planets. They don't respond to judicial sanction.
So this film has a ring of premonition in my mind. Maybe in a hundred years after the world has changed, someone will watch Gattaca and will see that at least we had our eyes wide open as we walked off that genetic cliff. C'est la vie.
43 How do you hide when you're running from yourself?
Gattaca (1997) is a beautiful movie that takes place in the not-so-distant future where genetic manipulation prior to birth brings out the best qualities of the parents while eliminating the worst, specifically, predispositions to diseases, additions, poor eyesight, etc. That is, if your parents choose to do so...
The film tells the a story about Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), a man born naturally, a 'God-child', one who didn't benefit from advanced technology during his development within the womb, and subsequently has various conditions many are familiar with like poor eyesight, heart problems, etc. Vincent has his sights set on the stars, wanting to travel to distant planets, visit far away places (I mean really far away) but due to advanced science, he has no chance as people can now determine the status of your health, your future health, by any number of ways, a strand of hair, a bit of spittle on a cup, a flake of skin, and while biases due to genetic profiling are illegal, the practice is common and widespread, resulting in Vincent relegated to working in less than desirable jobs like cleaning offices.
This practice of genetic stereotyping has lead to a new kind of crime, one where a person of impeccable genetic make-up but who has found themselves a victim of fate due to a permanent injury or such, can broker their identity to a natural born person, supplying that person with various blood and urine samples, strands of hair, flakes of skin, allowing that person to pose as a 'valid' individual, and garner a choice position in corporate society. Jude Law plays Jerome Eugene Morrow, a superior individual who suffered a crippling accident and has now agreed to sell his identity to Vincent Freeman, in exchange for Vincent supporting the lifestyle Jerome was accustom to prior the accident. This involves a very elaborate daily routine by Vincent, including a complete scrub down of his entire body to remove any 'loose' material that could possibly be found, analyzed, and give him away. In order for Vincent to pose as Jerome, he must carry on him samples of Jerome's blood, urine, and other identifiers at all times.
Vincent manages to pull off the sham, securing himself a position at Gattaca, a 'corporate' NASA, and is on the fast track to achieving his dream of space travel...but for one problem. A high-ranking official in Gattaca was recently murdered, and the police are thoroughly investigating all individuals. Will Vincent's shell of deception crack under close scrutiny of a murder investigation?
I really enjoyed this movie, watching for a second time last night. The picture has a very texturized feel, with the subdued lighting, immaculate sets and costumes giving the entire movie a very `noir' quality. The story was very well laid out, allowing for rich development of the main characters, creating a real interest and empathy for me for the proceedings on the screen. Ethan Hawke and Jude Law played their roles wonderfully, one as the struggling `inferior' with dreams that reach beyond his genetic make-up, and the other as the spoiled near-perfect specimen forced to deal with a physical infirmity due to fate, one that couldn't be corrected for with pre-natal DNA manipulation. Followed up with a strong supporting cast including Uma Thurman, Alan Arkin, and Elias Koteas, we are presented with a very plausible science fiction tale, one that may cause you to give some thought and provoke conversation on the concept of human messing around in Mother Nature's domain.
The picture here looks wonderful, and is available here in both full screen and wide screen anamorphic formats. Special features also include a trailer for the film, a featurette, deleted scenes, and production notes.
Cookieman108
44 Stylish Story about the Genetically Gifted
This film does not look like most science fiction films you've seen. It looks like an urban fantasy, with lots of clean, straight lines, cold concrete, and some dark alleys. Everyone is dressed in suits or other stylish outfits, and there are only passing references to space. This film is a near-future look at how our society could mutate as a result of emphasis and dependence upon genetic engineering. I found the film disturbingly (and depressingly) real.
I came out of GATTACA asking myself a lot of questions, which is perhaps the main thrust of the film. There are few hammer blows, not so many messages as situations that unfold, and the viewer is left wanting to know more.
I'd say this is science fiction for people who usually don't like science fiction. It is very close to reality, and bears watching and taking seriously. But if you're looking for answers to a future based on genetic prejudice, you won't find many here, just more questions.
Some Additional Thoughts After a Recent Rental
I liked author Gore Vidal's performance in this film as a chilly, snobbish space mission director. He uses the same sort of language you usually hear in films about country clubs or fraternities trying to exclude "those people," whatever outside group that might be.
Also, I must again emphasize the sterile look to this place. The buildings and suits are all very "clean" looking. Even the astronauts go into space in suits! This is a very corporate environment, at the high end of the price scale.
In the midst of the film is a murder mystery. The Mission Control director is killed, and the only trace of suspicion the police have is a single eyelash from an "Invalid," a genetically-deprived individual. The mystery, to the police, is how an Invalid could have gotten into GATTACA, the company launching rockets into space. After all, "they" have weaker hearts, lesser intelligence, weaker vision; they're almost another race! Something to consider for the future, anyway.
I must also point out the incredible lengths the hero (Hawke) goes to disguise his true nature: scraping skin cells, making fake fingerprints, borrowing blood and urine samples from a "Valid" who has fallen from grace. The man Hawke borrows fluids and identities from is a gifted swimmer who had the bad luck to come in second in a race. Unable to cope with the failure of his assumed superiority, he walks in front of a car, paralyzing his legs. Indeed, the work ethic of the "invalids" versus the complacency of the "valids" is telling. I found the society portrayed in this film as quite chillingly realistic.
45 Fantastic
Gattaca is one of the most though-provoking and enthralling films that I have seen. Gattaca reminds us what is the essence of life - following one's passion and dreams and making the best of what is bestowed to us - and that the our courage and spirit is what defines us.
46 VINCENT
The world of this movie was never meant for one as deficient genetically as this Vincent, we are given to understand. In this nearish future, genetic design is depicted as at least a frequent occurrence, perhaps even the norm. Vincent was conceived normally and brings into the world a daunting catalogue of infirmities, summed up in a life-expectancy of 30 years, low by even the standards of certain far eastern countries today. This does not sit well with his consuming ambition to travel into space, and the film builds a collection of different plots and sub-plots around this basic quandary.
To start with what is particularly good about Gattaca, the sets are striking. They create a `futuristic' aura very successfully, so much so that they they actually forced my attention on to what I believe to be one aspect of the film's main weakness, namely the plot or plots - Vincent's basic dilemma does not require a future setting at all. If he had been a weakling trying to get into a career in, say, sport or the armed services in 2004 that would have dealt with the issue just as well. The other thing that is distinctly good, in a certain kind of way, is the acting. When Gore Vidal, of all people, makes an early entrance in the role of Director, I reflected momentarily that I had never seen him acting before. In an instant I had corrected myself - I have never seen Vidal not acting. He acts a persona of his own creating whenever he appears on the media, and it is no surprise that he carries off his film role so convincingly. The Director is a far simpler personality that the real-life Gore Vidal. The three main roles are taken by Ethan Hawke as Vincent, Jude Law as the crippled but genetically perfect Jerome, and Uma Thurman as Irene. Like the Director, the characters are schematic and line-drawn, and such as they are they are very well done. The trouble, I hate to say, is the plotting.
Not only is the basic setting not really required, the theme of Vincent's physical frailty actually has nothing to do with the ethical question of designer-vs-natural conception either. These threads are separate strands thrown into a single bag, so to speak, but not woven together. In much the same way the murder investigation, which threatens to blow Vincent's cover and reveal his clever DNA exchange with Jerome, is very loosely integrated with the main action - anything of that kind would have taken only the smallest mischance to come to light, and the efforts of the investigators make the quest for certain weapons in Iraq even as I write look a model of competence. It all left me not even needing to make a willing supension of disbelief at how an impoverished janitor obtained the funds first to pay the rapacious clandestine transgenetics operator and second to pay his way though the Gattaca induction programme. To cap it all, there is a further sub-plot of sibling rivalry between Vincent and his eugenic younger brother Anton, which must be important, I have to assume, as one of their periodic swimming contests takes place at the climactic stage of the story. And of course there is a love-theme as well, in case the film ran out of themes.
I suppose this could hardly be called a rave-notice, and I fully admit that the film at least held my attention. It is not a bad film by any means, but the nearer in time to us that such an action is supposed to take place the harder it is to keep one's normal rational faculties switched off.
47 Intellectually Stimulating but a Trifle Lifeless
This is a pessimistic utopian fantasy about genetic engineering. We are invited to imagine a world in which many babies are made in the laboratory where their genotype is carefully controlled to produce maximally perfect specimens, while others are produced the old fashioned way and are genetically altogether inferior to their laboratory made contemporaries. This has made a new underclass of the "invalids", those produced by the great game of chance that is reproductively efficacious sex. as opposed to the engineered elite. An underground industry evolves of elite members fallen on hard times selling their genetic identities to "invalids" and the film is about Ethan Hawk's Vincent, an invalid, whose desperate yearning for a career as an astronaut drives him into the hands of this same industry - as well as Jude Law's Jerome, the crippled elite specimen at the other end of the bargain.
On the face of it the movie is a thriller. But as a thriller it is not so very good. There is little real suspense. Nonetheless it retains one's interest mainly by keeping us thinking: how long can Vincent get away with it? The answer on offer stretches credulity a bit but it remains a worthwhile film by being an alarmingly intelligent and not wildly implausible picture of where, unless we smarten up, biotechnology which is all too nearly in our reach might take us.
The most interesting and underdeveloped character is Jude Law's of the superpivileged "valid" who has fallen on hard times. About him we learn, in many ways, far too little, which is not to deny that there is much to be said for the free rein thereby left for our imagination. Certainly a central motif is Jerome's Olympic silver, impressive but second best, less than so perfect a specimen should have been capable of, contrasting with Victor's astonishing success, once the basic genetic fraud is in place, in rising to the very top of the astronaut business. Presumably the intention is to say something optimistic about free will. A cynic would respond that this society clearly has just not yet found the genotype that controls steely determination... but that is a dimension of philosophical speculation that remains unexplored in this movie and the somewhat philosophically complacent subtext about the ultimate triumph of free will is left unthreatened.
In any event it's a worthwhile film, containing genuinely alarming ideas about the more worryingly possibilities of biotechnology to keep one engaged. But it remains somewhat lacklustre. There is less suspense than there ought to and the central love story between Uma Thurman's and Hawk's characters is singularly lacking in passion and dramatic energy. High marks for being thought provoking but a rather lower score for general cinematic dynamism.
48 Gattaca's genes are "Perfect."
As a script writer and student of film, I know how hard it is to convey a futuristic storyline believably and have it contain touches of suspense, humor, romance, and humanity and have it ALL work. "Gattaca" is a story about flawed people who have great spirits, yet "Gattaca" itself is as unflawed as any science fiction film ever made. Every scene cleverly pushes the story along and twists many different ideas and possibilities together like a perfect length of rope.
The visuals of Gattaca are breathtaking and capture the time of the story in a way that is futuristic but comparable to present day. The acting is perfect for the story and it will touch you from the very opening scene. As far as science fiction stories go, this is as good as any, EVER. If you don't see Gattaca, you've missed out. Also accompanied by a wonderful score. Simply brilliant. Buy it, because if you rent it, you'll wind up buying it anyway.
49 Better perspective
I was in 8th grade when this film was released. I went to the movies often as that was the only thing I could do then. I watched Gattaca thinking it was some sci-fi action film but in the end I was dissappointed to see it wasn't, as were my friends who watched. My teacher loved it and i teased her how much it sucked. I eventually wrote a review for it for my school newspaper, although personally i thought it was ok, i expected something else. Years later, I felt compelled to watch it again and being a little older and mature, I really enjoyed it. My only dissappointment was that it ended. I would've liked to see more interaction between the two brothers but overall the tone of the movie is both dark and hopeful. Eugene burning himself at the end was very chilling indeed and everything works so well in the movie. The love aspect was very well done, although it was like how did these 2 hook up again? but both actors performance was soo good it carried it.. they are married in real life. This movie made me think, something i sometimes forget to do.
50 Just once around the sun
That's my favorite line in the movie where Uma Thurman's character says "Not so long, just once around the sun." Referring to how long a year away from Ethan she will be. When I saw this film I was in science class, and the teacher said we were going to be watching a movie, I was excited but not so excited because all the movies we watch in school suck...but this one was great! I loved it instantly. The music is the best in this movie! The film is brilliantly done, "visionary" and the dialogue is great also. I think its the most perfect science fiction film, but I wouldn't just categorize it as a sci fi but more as a drama or love story.
51 Amazing
I remember watching this when I was younger on a movie channel and not catching the name of it. I was so impressed with the plot, the characters, and just the beautiful way it played out that I just had to find out it's name. I finally saw it on VHS and watched it almost a million times. The whole concept is intruiging, it's an almost realistic and dangerous vision of what society could come to someday. The good twist is that even in a world like that there is still hope for the imperfect. Wondering where the title comes from? Well I don't recall it ever being explained in the movie but from genetics, G, C, T and A are the 4 codes that make up DNA..so stick em together and you can make the word Gattaca. Neat huh? Even the title is interesting..Definitely a movie worth seeing more than once and that will definitely let you appreciate these times we live in a bit more.
52 Great whether you like sci-fi or not
I'm not a big sci-fi fan, but Gattaca is a brilliant movie. It is intelligent, inspiring and disturbing - its premise is one that sits with such books as 1984 and Brave New World - and it features a star turn from Jude Law as well as a career-defining performance from Ethan Hawke and strong support from Uma Thurman. It is extremely well shot with understated beauty and its message is a potent mixture of warning and hope. It raises interesting philosophical questions as well as being a good entertainment for a rainy day at the same time. 5 stars.
53 Slightly overrated
I think this movie is slightly overrated. The acting is not bad, camerawork not bad, but it's not excellent either. The dialogs are not really realistic -too many functional dialogs- and most characters are quite 'flat'. Don't understand me wrong, it's not a bad movie, but it's moralistic undertone probably caused it to become slightly overrated (just like movies like American History X).
54 Implausibility of protagonist's struggle is the point
Many viewers criticize Gattaca for its implausibility. When the film was released, I recall reading a movie review entitled "You're too smart for Gattaca," which cited the improbability of the hero's success in a society where he is constantly subjected to testing to confirm his genetic "purity" and where the slightest trace of bodily detritus can expose him as an imposter.
I would respectfully submit that such critics have hit upon the central theme of the film without fully realizing it; the sheer implausibility of the hero's success under these conditions is precisely the point, and is what makes the story so powerful and poignant. The story is, after all, intended in part to be a cautionary tale.
In spite of the film's persistent "realistic" emphasis on the physical implausibility of the hero's success, however, it also bears emphasis that the ending, with Vincent rocketing to the heavens, is a genuinely Romantic assertion of faith that innate human intelligence and spirit can overcome bodily defects and limitations.
The ending also has mythological overtones of apotheosis (deification). In this respect, Vincent has heroic antecedents in Hercules and gnostic Christianity. Hercules' divine spirit was taken by the gods into Olympus after the self-inflicted destruction of his body by fire, and after the accomplishment of feats even more implausible than those confronted by Vincent. Similarly, Chirst ascended into heaven after his physical body was destroyed on the cross. Like both, Vincent endures great bodily suffering, but like both he ultimately transcends the physical limitations of the body.
As such, the story by its very design calls upon viewers at once to realize the physical impossibility of the hero's predicament, while at the same time suspending their disbelief in order to have faith in his ability to succeed against the odds. In this way, the story can be viewed as a contemporary and highly stylized variation on age old mythological and religious themes.
55 Not so fictional sci-fi
The world of Gattaca is one where people are stratified in society by their genetic composition. Racism and classism are things of the past. Those who are bred to be genetically superior are dominant in society compared to those conceived naturally and tethered with the possibilities of a plethora of medical problems.
In this world, Vincent (Hawke) is a person trying to overcome his own DNA by impersonating a genetic superior. In this reality, impersonation isn't just looks... The movie takes great pains to show how appearance has become secondary in identification.
This movie is not the best execution. It has an excellent cast, and the supporting cast tends to run away with the film. Hawke and Thurman give somewhat cold performances, along the lines of the film itself. I think this film's strongest points are an excellent premise (one that is very relevant today with health care becoming increasingly oriented towards risk stratification)and a wealth of supporting cast talent (especially Jude Law, whose performance is stellar, and it's always nice to see Ernest Borgnine in a movie).
This movie is true science fiction, not aliens and space ships and the like. It's sci-fi like Bradbury is sci-fi. It's thinking sci-fi.
As a note, the title Gattaca is derived from the letters GTAC, which stand for the letters used to represent the nucleic acids which make up DNA (Guanine, Thymine, Adenine, and Cytosine).
56 Aims high, but doesn't get there (2.5 stars)
I found this film's execution to be uninspired and unexceptional, although there were some aspects to the film that make it stand out from your average sci-fi tale.
First off, the movie's pluses. The supporting cast, including Law, Arkin, and Borgnine was strong, and both Hawke and Thurman were good (too understated though, seemingly by design). The movie also had style. In addition to style, it had some good messages, including anti-discrimination, and threats posed to individual liberty by technological `advancement'. The most important message was that the human spirit, if strong enough can accomplish virtually anything.
These are certainly admirable themes. The movie just failed to deliver them in a mature and convincing way. Below I outline some of the problems, as I see them (beware of spoilers).
While realism is generally not the goal of science fiction, much of the science and several plot developments here were totally implausible. In terms of the science, the film gives too little allowance to the role of environment in human development; while this approach adds drama, it makes the film patronizingly simplistic. The weak hearts of the two protagonists also had no science fiction basis-it was just a plot device. Some other plot implausibilities: 1) the idea that one could (almost) hide their genetic signature, and 2) that people would no longer pay attention to facial appearances, something evolution has steered us towards recognizing for millennia.
The movie also felt flat; this was clearly the tone the film was going for, but I felt it took it too far. We needed to at minimum feel Vincent's passion for flight, and the couple's romantic passion. While there's no denying there was chemistry between Hawke and Thurman, the performances were too muted. We should have felt Vincent's excitement about his final achievement, but we don't, partly because we have no sense of what he will be doing in space.
Other characters and relationships were too simplistic as well. I know men can be boys, but the paring down of the brothers' relationship to little more than a game of chicken seems too extreme; where was the subtlety and nuance in their-or any of the other- relationship?
57 Better than the Matrix
Gattaca takes a cliched sci-fi theme, genetics engineering gone wrong, and makes of it an intelligent, haunting fable about society stifling individuals, and of over coming obstacles to follow the true desires of one's heart.
The screen writing is achingly beautiful. It speaks of many things; the rivalry that exists between brothers, a society that will judge a human being not by who he is but by his genes, and of a normal person who will break through all the walls such a society sets in front of him to fulfill the longing of his heart, the space.
I felt like crying after watching the movie, there were so many emotions stirred up inside me. It shook me to my very core. The only time I felt that way after watching a movie was when I watched Shawshank Redemption. I felt so angry for Vincent and the way the world is in Gattaca. I felt so much sorrow for Jude Law. When the movie finally ended, I felt a shock of hope, the kind of hope you get when you see how life can work out despite all the odds. It's a movie that will definitely make you think and feel.
Ethan Hawke's acting is, as usual, subtle and believable. It's said that making the protagonist narrate a story isn't a good idea, but Ethan Hawke somehow makes it work. (Think 'Great Expectations.') He doesn't over-act to make you see his point; he doesn't shout, he doesn't sob, he doesn't whisper. He just becomes Vincent the in-Valid. There's no Ethan Hawke to be seen, only a very human, very determined man who will go to space no matter what.
Jude Law does a great job as supporting actor. Arrogant, short-tempered and yet with a warm heart, his character comes to life quite well. As an invalid Valid, if you'll pardon the pun, he represents all the irony this futuristic caste system brought. Sitting around in the basement drinking beer, he casts a new light onto the story and onto Vincent's plight. (Did anyone else like the line 'I'm bored, I'm BORED talking to you!' as much as I did? ^-^)
Uma Thurman was okay. There's nothing noticeable about her acting, but I guess that was the whole point. The spotlight falls on Vincent as it should.
One of the most brilliant science-fiction movies of the decade, it's a joy to watch and a pleasure to remember. Worth your money.
58 Movies Don't Get Much Better Than This
Gattaca is the perfect blend of great acting, insightful plot, thrilling pace, and sharp theme.
Hawke, Thurman, and Law give passionate portrayals of the characters each facing their own imperfections. The scenes move fluently without seeming trite. The setting of the movie cleverly mimics the Hoover era of US History.
This possible genetics based future represented in this film seems to grow ever closer in our society due to our overwhelming desire for science and business to meld. This plot is shocking because it's plausible.
This movie ranks in my top ten of all time.
59 Get Ready for What Will Come
I've always said that science fiction is the antidote to 'future shock' (a series of books that came out two decades ago, which posited that we would all be overwhelmed by technology).
Gattaca isn't far-fetched at all. Who could resist a future where all babies are perfect? No congenital defects, no weakness, no shortcomings...
And woe be it to those born of a natural coupling. Gattaca is that future examined today.
Some have said the movie is slow. Not so...it's deliberately paced. It savors the possibilities, gives the audience time to consider how a genetically perfect person (Jude Law) would aid a naturally-born person (Hawke) to realize a dream he otherwise would not have. I think you'll end up rooting for the guy born the old-fashioned way. After all, at the present time at least, that's all of us!
Highly Recommended. The film gets the look of the future down just right. I can't say this is a 'fun' film, since it's pretty serious about its subject matter; but I can say I enjoyed the film from beginning to end. The questions raised in one's mind about the subject (could genetic engineering lead to a VERY stratified society?).
60 As a test tube nightmare, "Gattaca" delivers ! ! !
A sci-fi bomb when released in 1997, "Gattaca" will live on as a masterpiece. You can't help but feel sympathy for "Godchild" Vincent. The "deGENErate" is masking his true identity in a sterile world of perfectly produced test tube co-workers. Andrew Niccol's vision of quiet chaos is superb. The sets are filmed crisp and cool. The effects of Man vs. Nature are revealed at a suspenseful pace. Hawke, Thurman and especially Jude Law, couldn't ask for a better script. Not to be missed !
61 If Hitler had won the war
Word on the streets is that this movie's premis is how things would be if Hitler had won WWII. It's a story about a future society where only the most physically capable are able to do certain things. I won't spoil it all for you. It's a slow movie, but I liked it. I thought it was really good. None of my friends like it. I think it's a movie to sit there and watch alone the first time.
62 A premise played to quite an extreme
I bought "Gattaca" after seeing the excerpt from what turns out to be the start of the movie, in PBS's "Nova" program. Folks design their offspring and get the USDA seal of approval on their genetic sequence. Thus is the entrance to the great machine of identification and authentication made, and the outsiders are simply not "valid". I guess I could live with less of the sensational action and further elaboration on the science, but then I'm an admitted geek from the get-go. The aura of this film is very much like what we saw in the screen version of "Fahrenheit 451"; that of a world you know has gone nuts, with some obsession that is supposed to be the end all for public safety and social harmony. Folks will wind up, in the world of "Gattaca", with an identification about as impersonal as an ear-tag appended to a factory-farmed meat animal, but a lot more telling. I shudder to imagine that the much-maligned delusions behind eugenics, made so popular earlier in the last century, will create such a bunch of cretins as the two fellows who conspire to fool...not mother nature, but Big Brother himself. One really has to wonder, in all of this, which is the better cause--one's comfort or one's innate conscience. "Gattaca" works the best it can with its premise, only by the time it gets fully laid down, we're just dealing with another story of a fugitive for whom we're supposed to cheer. There are steep and awesome precipices in the idea of genetic authentication, and the movie gives us some idea of them. But is not evolution just like that, and equally dramatic? It would seem that we're enacting our own set of challanges, then sending out intentional mutations that are supposed to win. Yes, this is all suggested, but what we principally have is an attempt at a cliffhanger flight. The subject matter of our protagonists' interpretation of propriety, however, is just another struggle of the freedom-fighter ilk. It is a little too focused on the lead characters, leaving a lot left to do with a very profound topic. It would seem, in the human intervention at hand, that ontogeny truly recapitulates philogeny, only the ontology is hardly able to account for the impossible number of original interventions that took place during the philology. Wherever a crime is comitted, evidence remains. I would have liked to have seen a better treatment of the ultimate crime behind this society's proclamation of what is good and what is not.
63 Spooky
This movie is both entertaining and a little scary. The plot is about what will happen when children are no longer created by the love of two human beings, but strictly through science, virtually making a society of perfect people. It explores what will happen to children bred from natural child-births and one man's struggle to follow his dreams. The spooky thing is that it strikes a real chord, the idea is not completely far fetched. The movie is good, watch it.
64 awesome movie
this movies is so good i was totally moved by the performance of jude law even more than the one by ethan hawke, i somewhat felt that the story was more on Jude Law than on ethan hawke because all the sadness came from him for not bein able to walk or realize his dreams
65 Tense: Future imperfect (genetic style)
Gattaca is a fascinating science fiction/mystery movie, set in the 'not too distant future', in which astronauts dress in stylish, roaring-twenties inspired clothing and where the world seems to be finely ordered and sequenced, just like a genetic code.
In fact, it is the genetic code which determines all. Test-tube babies are the norm for anyone who wants to have a chance; screening out imperfections has become routine, and those who have the misfortune of being born outside the system of genetic checks and balances will find themselves invalid (in-valid in the sense of not valid for work, as well as invalid in the sense of incapacitated for advancement). Society has been structured around a pre-defined sense of potential as projected by genetic codes. But there are a few who challenge the system.
Meet Vincent, a.k.a. Jerome Morrow (played by Ethan Hawke), who dreams of the stars and lusts for a position at Gattaca (the new-age NASA), but with the genetic code of a loser. Enter Jerome Morrow, a.k.a. Eugene (played by Jude Law), who has the potential, but also a broken spinal cord -- he lends Vincent, through an ingenious and intricate system, his genetic sequence. In this guise, Vincent thus rises to the position of navigator, selected for the great Titan/Saturn mission.
Then, the director gets murdered. A flake of skin falls from Vincent which the investigators find, and the chase is on. The launch is a week away. Will Vincent outrun the pursuers in time?
Of course, Vincent's pursuers are led by his brother, the genetically-planned offspring of the family, who thought that Vincent was dead. There is an ultimate contest, which Vincent wins, proving the victory of determination over pre-determination.
Vincent, in the person of Jerome, falls in love with Irene (played by Uma Thurman), who works at Gattaca in a sort of genetic quality-control position. She falls in love the potential, the idea of Jerome, but eventually comes to love the imperfect Vincent. She herself, for all the genetic planning, also has an imperfection, which makes her all the more attractive to Vincent.
Gore Vidal has a small but crucial role as a flight director in charge of keeping things on track (with style!) as the murder investigation threatens the operations at Gattaca.
This movie is a visually interesting, unique, and much under-rated and under appreciated show. It won awards for art direction and other stylistic touches, including the Oscar.
I won't spoil the ending, but suffice it to say that Vincent and Jerome both leave the earth.
'For someone never meant for this world, I must confess, I'm suddenly having a hard time leaving it. Of course, they say that every atom of our body was once part of a star. Maybe I'm not leaving. Maybe I'm going home.'
Interestingly, the idea of genetics is woven into the movie in very many ways, some subtle, some explicit. The very title, Gattaca, consists of the strands of bases that comprise the double helix of DNA G (guanine), A (adenine), C (cytosine), and T (thymine) -- the sequence of these bases constitutes genetic information, much as the arrangement of the 26 letters of this alphabet constitutes information.
This is a clever film, a bit slow, but stylish, suspenseful, wonderfully visual, and well worth a weekend evening investment.
66 Intelligent, inspiring story - the best film I ever seen
A compelling story about a man who defies his destination with ambition. He's forced to hide his identity through the exciting plot, while pursuing his dream. This made me hardly sit back, pray for him not to get caught. Science and human emotions are intelligently presented in contrast thru this riveting film. The ending is very remarkable and emotional when the key charactors decide on their own fates. Very impressive, inspiring, exciting film - the best film I ever seen.
67 Superbit has no extra's
The superbit edition has none of the extra's the regular dvd has and it costs 8 bucks more. go figure
68 Measuring Human Worth in the Future
Made by the same director of The Truman Show, Gattaca, a film set in "the not too distant future," shows how humankind's blind faith in technology and genetic science will compel us to create a two-tier system of the human race: the genetically enhanced, "Valids," and the nonenchanced, "Invalids." Gattaca is a world where humans are no longer measured by their moral character but rather by their DNA, their genetic code. Dating, jobs, health insurance, reproductive rights are all monitored by the government, which wants to keep the "Valids" pure and uncontaminated. Our protagonist, an "Invalid," must use his human spirit--courage, love, tenacity, cunning--to transcend the strictures the government has imposed on him. More specifically, he wants to live out his dream of space travel, but he has to assume the identity of a "Valid," and the movie goes to great lengths showing us the pains our hero suffers in order to live out his charade. Thus the movie pits human character against blind faith in science in a film that, without ever preaching to us, shows the dangers of dehumanization in a world where technlogogy is supposed to lead us to Paradise.
69 Well-Executed, Thought-Provoking
The Story: In the near future, the way people have children is to visit a geneticist, get as many of the woman's eggs fertilized in vitro as possible, have the geneticist screen all of the eggs, and then the parents choose which egg they want to end up being their child. If done this way, the child is a "Valid". If not done this way (i.e., in the back-seat of a Buick Riviera, as was the case for the protagonist, Vincent, played by Ethan Hawke), the child is an "In-Valid" and could have any number of genetically-based flaws (like me, you, and anyone else in the room). For Valids, everything is made easy, the best jobs are within reach, and respect is automatic. For In-Valids, a career doing manual labor or in a service job requiring no education is the best that can be hoped for, no matter how brilliant the person is, as no money is "wasted" on flawed people. It's all determined at conception. Vincent, however, has always dreamt of going to the stars, which means working at Gattaca, a privately owned space exploration company. But the only way this can happen, is to fool the system, as Gattaca checks and constantly rechecks the identity of its employees through blood-tests and urine tests (remember, DNA is everything here). The one way possible is to find a Valid who is willing to help you assume his identity. Jerome (Jude Law) is a Valid who had everything going for him, was going nowhere, and ended up a paraplegic after a failed suicide attempt. Tony Shalhoub is the guy who, for a price, connects Vincent with Jerome. Vincent moves in with Jerome, shares his income with Jerome, and gets Jerome's identity in exchange. That means a very elaborate set of tricks to fool the DNA-checking system. Vincent-turned-Jerome gets to pursue his dream of going into space, and Jerome-turned-Eugene gets a companion and an income. Then, there's a murder at Gattaca and the police (Alan Arkin) begin REALLY triple-checking DNA and going over the place with a fine-toothed comb. And, Vincent-Jerome falls in love with Irena (Uma Thurman) and has to fool her too.
First Commentary: Technically, this is a very well-executed film. The acting is superb at all levels (including small roles by Ernest Borgnine and Gore Vidal). Ethan Hawke is totally believable as a bright, driven dreamer who was stuck with genetic flaws (what we call normal) he has to overcome. I've only seen Jude Law in two films: A.I. and Gattaca. The roles are totally different and he is perfect in both. I'm going to look for more films with Hawke and Law. The society portrayed is totally believable and coherent.
Second Commentary: This is not a film I can say I "enjoyed" but I'm definitely glad that I not only saw it but that I own it. It is as thought-provoking as any film I've seen. The basic question asked is: Is it moral to cheat a system that was set up for just and altruistic reasons but that has unjust consequences? The answer would be easy if Vincent was a flop at his job, but he's brilliant. The answer would also be easy if Vincent was perfect, despite his genes, but he has a heart problem that, according to his genes, could be fatal. The society portrayed is sterile, antiseptic, and bland, but peaceful, orderly, and well-functioning. There are no easy answers here, but some very good questions.
70 Film that brings you to the stars & beyond
Having been told by several friends of the great handling of the theme purported by this film, I finally got to watch it in its entirety on the tele just this evening. I must say that the praises lavished were truly deserved & I would no doubt be getting the DVD as well.
I think on first viewing, the film actually hit me more on an emotional level than intellectual, especially at the very end when the protagonist Vincent finally achieves what he had set out to do, despite pre-determinations to the contrary. It does inspire and also makes you think about the possible alternate future that we may have in the 'segmentation' of humans or the self-created rationale for further discrimination (as if we haven't already got enough of that in our time).
The descent of Jude Law's character was supposedly meant to show that no matter how talented a person is (genetically determined or otherwise) it doesn't matter so long as the heart & mind are not there; that it's coupled with a sense of destiny or vision that drives the person toward his desired goal.
A great film that deserves repeated viewing, especially for the superb acting by all involved.
71 Spirituality or Physicality?
Is one doomed to failure or a mediocre life because of his or her invalid physical being? Should one be denied with the right to be successful because of his or her being physically inferior? The film obviously gives us a definite answer.
The film starts with some big sounds made by hairs and nails falling onto the ground, which is seemingly unexplainable because of the supposed lightness of hairs and nails. Then, the main character, Vincent Freeman begins his narration of his sorrow childhood in which his right to go to school is denied because he is genetically deficient. His younger brother, who is genetically engineered before birth, is however the perfect human being. In spite of his inborn disadvantage, he holds a dream of being an astronaut. Nevertheless, his dream is only an illusion that cannot be realized in a society where oneÁøs professional success is predetermined solely by oneÁøs genes. He finally leaves his home where his parents and brother all discourage him for his Á¡naiveÁ± fantasy, and he goes to work in Gattaca Aerospace Center where he is close to his dream and yet so far away as his work is a janitor. Compelled by his unrealized dream, he finds a then-swimming winner, now-cripple, Jerome Morrow. Vincent uses Jerome MorrowÁøs blood, hair, and urine in order to disguise himself as Morrow and to pass the DNA test at the entrance of the aerospace center. With all his efforts and determination, he, an intelligent young man, finally gets the chance to go the space.
In the film, VincentÁøs last name, Freeman, is allegorically significant because he, in spite of his DNA deficiency, succeeds out of the limitation of physical; on the contrary, JeromeÁøs last name, Morrow, which means tomorrow, has an ironic implication as he, despite his superior genes, has not much future due to the fact that he canis immobilized due to an accident.
This film invites the audience to meditate the relationship between physical and spiritual and whether one's fate should be determined by its physical inferiority
72 the future is now ????
this 1997 movie is a good movie, and deals with a society
that has a caste system, and the possibilities that it may
be in our near future, ethan hawke gives a strong performance
and a cameo by earnest borgnine was a surprise.
73 Beautiful, Haunting Science Fiction
All those who think Star Wars is good science fiction, beware: Gattaca just might change your life. With nothing more than some gorgeously stark cinematography and direction; skillful, nuanced acting and a few well-chosen details, Gattaca sets the standard for serious sf films, telling a story that takes off from an interesting intellectual premise and ends up affecting the viewer on a richly emotional level.
Vincent, born without the aid of genetic engineering, hampered by his predispositions for violence and early heart failure, longs to make it out to space; when simple hard work and dedication fail to pay off, he turns to deception, purchasing the genetic legacy of genetically flawless but suicidal Jerome Morrow to get in the door at the Gattaca Corporation, his launching pad into space. Just as Vincent's goal comes into sight, someone bludgeons his mission director to death. The investigators who descend on the corporation soon discover a stray eyelash Vincent left behind, and name him as a suspect. Vincent, meanwhile, must continue his life as "Jerome" under the watchful gaze of the investigators while pursuing a romantic relationship with the nearly-flawless Irene. And the lead investigator is the last person Vincent wants to see.
Gattaca boasts some remarkable performances. Jude Law, playing Jerome, infuses all of his lines with anguished self-loathing, the anguish of one who never asked for the perfection--and its attendant expectations--that he was given, while Uma Thurman, as Irene, offers one of the subtlest performances of her career playing a woman whose perfection just isn't perfect enough for the world into which she was born. Loren Dean, as Vincent's younger, genetically improved brother Anton, also gives some affecting scenes.
A protagonist's role is usually the least demanding of a movie, as the need to be likeable and sympathetic tends to preclude much complication or darkness, but even in his limited role as Vincent, Ethan Hawke does remarkably well.
Gattaca is a movie well put-together from start to finish; every element of the film falls into place, and its cumulative effect is one that's hard to forget, even long after the credits roll. Highly recommended.
74 Presents an Issue that Baffles Many
Gattaca is an excellent science fiction movie that serves as a 1990's equivalent of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Many questions concerning philosophy, theology and science could be addressed from those who see this movie.
From a philosophical perspective, one might argue that though the setting is in the future, the vision of the created society is quite ancient. In this movie only the most powerful leaders making the most influential decisions are the so-called "gifted", which is idealistically a mirror of Plato's Republic. So from a structured standpoint, Gattaca is the culmination of ideas or ideals established from the most highly esteemed of the ancient Greeks; however, it is also blended in with the modern day science of genetic engineering, where a perfect society must be run by perfect people, most of whom are products or byproducts of the scientific wonders of those who have determined what constitutes the attainment of human perfection.
Running counter to theme of Gattaca are those outcasts who are supposedly too genetically deficient for the main functioning of society but who nonetheless believe that they can transcend the imposed limitations and expectations (e.g. physical endurance, life expectancy, etc.) predetermined even before birth.
Two opposing themes are prevalent throughout. At one end of the spectrum, society has accepted that science is advanced enough to pinpoint the outcomes of one's destiny from birth to death as well as tell in advance what that person's particular strengths and weaknesses will be. On the other end, however, is one's attempts to show that the whole is more than the sum of its parts and that the efforts of constituting a perfect society are misconstrued for they are merely the result of adding those methodical bits and pieces.
Quite disturbing is the fact that there exist terminologies that bring about new discussion concerning this movie as well as the vision of a progressing, futuristic society. Among these are paradigm shifts, infrastructures and zones of proximity, each of which can be looked upon from so many different angles.
All in all, perhaps what is the main issue is determining just what human potential is and who the experts of this advancement are supposed to be. Added to this are concerns about the future and whether our leaders who will, by then, espouse bringing forth progress will by and large be compassionate philanthropists at best or sociopathic, cultic leaders at worst.
75 Gattaca
A beautiful and poignant film, even more relevant now than when released. This should be required viewing for US citizens lest they think that civil liberties are expendable.
When our inept politicians claim to know who arethe superior persons, and with the scientific advances in genetic research, this may not be science fiction after all.
76 A smart movie with a startlingly relevant vision
This is the movie that everyone overlooked. I have heard people call it a thriller that is too slow, a mystery that is too unimportant, and a feel-good movie that doesn't make you feel good. It is not any of these; it is a transport to a world where your whole life is determined from the time of your birth, and it is the story of a man with too much ambition to accept his fate. I would rank it highly among the best movies of all time.
Gattaca is set in a near-future where doctors screen embryos for genetic 'defects' during in-vitro fertilization. Nobody has children the natural way anymore, because why would you risk having a child with high potential for heart disease? Designer babies can be promised a life of perfect health, perfect vision, and unlimited potential. And such children would obviously grow into better workers, athletes, and lifemates. Genetic discrimination might be illegal, but everybody does it. A handshake, a fallen hair, any mark that your body leaves behind can be used to measure just how perfect or imperfect you are.
Enter one Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke). He is a love child, a "faith birth", an In-Valid with bad genes, nearsightedness, and a potential (but unconfirmed) heart defect. He dreams of the stars, and of exploring them himself one day. But Gattaca - the future's equivelent to NASA - only employs the best of the best, the cream of the crop... the genetically perfect. Denied his dream, Vincent joins the underground ranks of the "de-gene-rates", "borrowed ladders", people who refuse to play the genetic hand that they were dealt. He purchases the identity of the recently-crippled Jerome 'Eugene' Morrow (Jude Law), and he meticulously replaces his every fallen hair and drop of blood with samples from Eugene.
And it works. Armed with Eugene's biology, Vincent-as-Jerome has the drive, discipline, and ability to live his dream. As the movie opens, he is one of Gattaca's most promising candidates, getting ready for his first mission into space. But one inattentive moment, caught by an ill-timed murder investigation, threatens to unravel everything Vincent has worked for.
Gattaca is several things rolled into a larger picture. There is a thriller aspect: will Vincent evade detection or will he be unmasked and have his dreams shattered? There is a love story: does the woman he is involed with care about him, or his genes? There is a background mystery: who is responsible for the murder of the mission director? But none of these are the central theme, which is this: how far can the human spirit go in pursuit of a dream?
The movie asks and tries to answer that question in flawless manner. The clean-cut, sanitized designs of the future evoke a vaguely impersonal setting. The pacing of the movie is slow, but steady - every moment is played perfectly. Ethan Hawke delivers a fantastic performance as Vincent, but it is Jude Law who really shines as his opposite - a man with everything but ambition, someone who felt entitled to the world and is now too angry and embittered to help himself.
Andrew Niccol's screenplay is simply brilliant, and full of detail, right down to the words and phrases - degenerates, borrowed ladders, 'Eugene' and eugenics, Gattaca and the G/C/A/T codes that make up DNA. There is far too much depth in this movie to convey in any review. I have watched it a half-dozen times, and there is always a nuance or subtle take that I missed before, and which changes the way I think of it.
Ultimately, Gattaca is a movie with a strong belief in the human spirit. It is not just clever, it is smart - its joy isn't in its twists and turns, but in its message. It is a parable about the importance of dreams in a world captivated by genetic science. And I think that anyone who lives in todays world, with the near-future looming so close overhead, should be able to appreciate it.
77 Fantastic
Wonderful sci-fi story that doesn't depend on special effects and gizmos to entertain.
The characters are fantastic, the story is fantastic, and it keeps you guessing all the way through.
Very enjoyable. Story-telling at its best.
78 One of the finest sci-fi movies ever made
Gattaca is by far one of the best sci-fi movies I have ever seen. It's about a man named Vincent who overcomes a prejudicial system impossed upon him through sheer self determination, who doesn't accept anything less than the full attainment of his dream. The story line was both inspiring and thought-provoking, the acting was great (especially Hawke and Law), and the production design and art direction were totally stunning. There are little special effects, which sets this movie apart from other sci-fi movies. Gattaca is simply a beautiful unique work of art filled with emotion, intelligence, beauty, and suspense. Definitely a must see for anyone.
79 "In my beginning is my end." ("Four Quartets" - T.S. Eliot)
Andrew Niccols' "Gattaca" takes place in a "not so distant future," but like all serious science fiction works, it is a commentary about the present. In its stylishly sequenced narrative, reminiscent of a honey-washed and glowing photo spread in an old issue of Life magazine, or the best of a high-end merchandizing catalog, it is also a passionate tribute to the romantic notion that the human spirit is, and always will be, beyond the icy grip of science.
The film tells the story of the allegorically named Vincent Freeman(Ethan Hawke) who sets out to follow his dream of space travel, even though he was born the "old-fashioned" way, which renders him genetically flawed. As such, he is forced to work in low-level occupations, the fate of all "In-Valids," who represent the untouchables of that not-so-distant-future in which genetic engineering has replaced the divisive powers formerly held only by wealth alone. Vincent, resourceful because of his spirit -- for which there is no gene, as the movie's tagline suggests -- finds a way to make his dreams a reality, though not without the help of a disabled "Valid" (Jude Law). The "Valid," Jerome, who lends Vincent his identity, as well as regular samples of his blood, urine, and other genetic identifiers used in monitoring society's privileged caste, while in possession of superior genes, lacks the one thing that transforms dreams into reality: the spirit of ambition -- or the desire to conquer the universe.
Ironically, it may have been that very same romantic ambition of the human spirit, which drives Vincent towards the stars, that brought the deadening "perfection" of the tightly controlled world of "Gattaca" into being in the first place -- but that's more of a comment on the nature of romanticism, rather than on this movie. I bring this up mostly because of the Wagnerian tones in the soundtrack, which was composed and arranged by Michael Nyman. The relentless striving apparent in the themes of the music gives the movie another critical dimension in which to build its vision of the triumphs of the human spirit over the soulless rigors of science.
The acting in this movie is superb, not in least because of the stress on the ensemble of actors over individual performances as such. There is a great deal of power in the subtly restrained acting styles of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman in their respective roles. Having said that, it seems to me that Jude Law's performance as the "Valid" Jerome, who has everything but that one important passion to hold it all together, stands out because of his understanding that this character is perhaps more interesting than the genetically flawed Vincent, who has but a single all-consuming -- and therefore, limiting -- ambition. Jude Law's performance in this movies foreshadows his performance in Spielberg's A.I.
80 Liked it although its message was scary
I think we are heading in this direction w/ genectic structure. Jude definately knows how to act and I love him and ethan in this esp the line "Keep your eyelashes where they belong" or something like that
81 Jack of all trades, master of none
Granted, Gattaca certainly tries to be all things to all people - it sells itself variously as a Philip K. Dick-esque sci-fi, as a Tense Political Thriller, an Edgy Romance, even as a Rumination on Filial Love and Obligation - but in my book it fails badly on every count. I am clearly in the minority on this, so I had better explain.
From the opening sequence, something is clearly amiss: I mean, extreme close-ups of exfoliated skin and toenail clippings, anyone?
Thereafter, things do not improve.
First off, the sci-fi premise is flimsy (it's a rap on the genetically programmed to be perfect humans vs. "human" humans debate: where "human" humans have become "invalid" citizens, electronically tagged and shut out mainstream society of perfectly engineered "valid" humans. But, you would think, if there is sufficient technology to eradicate human flaws at conception, then surely someone must clever enough to fix them later in life too, no?).
The special effects team (who, in fairness, didn't have much to do other than the aforementioned toenail clipping close-ups and the odd distant rocket launch) seem to have missed the last 35 years in development of special effects.
The brother vs. brother thread is schmaltz (the whole relationship can be summed up, apparently, by who was the better swimmer when they were boys), ... Good grief.
What else... oh yes, the lack of chemistry between Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke beggars belief (Thurman looks continually as if the very sight of Hawke gives her the screaming heebie jeebies), and the thriller/whodunnit piece does not import a sense of drama into the proceedings. And boy does the film need it.
The only saving grace is Jude Law, who seems to make his living these days propping up dreadful films with solid performances (see A.I. and The Road To Perdition in this regard), and who at the critical moment in the film, performs a very deft ascent of a spiral staircase without using his legs.
That is to be commended, however bad the rest of the experience.
Olly Buxton
82 A Poignant Dystopian Film
I had heard good things about Gattaca but I finally rented it only after I had exhausted all other possibilities. I shudder to think of all the flacid films I sat through when I could have been watching this excellent movie. The cast is impressive, the story is engaging, and the music, photography and settings combine to produce an atmosphere that makes this a beautifully-crafted, visual yet cerebral film.
Dealing as it does with eugenics, "Gattca" attempts to reach you at the cellular, nay, molecular level. Not to put too fine a point on it, writer/director Andrew Niccol(The Truman Show) infuses the film with metaphors of reproduction and genetics, not the least of which being the title itself (refering to a fictitious government space program, "Gattaca" is nevertheless unmistakeable as an acronym for a sequence of DNA bases: guanine, adenine, thymine, cytosine). There is a particularly poignant scene in which a double helix, in the guise of a spiral staircase, presents an imposing obstacle, and at various times individuals themselves become metaphors for spermatocytes (in swim races and while rushing off in a space ship to Saturn's largest moon, Titan, itself a metaphor for an oocyte).
As intelligent as it is though, the film is an artistic exposition of themes, not a scholarly dissertation on a very complex set of issues. It would be unfair therefore to complain that the film doesn't do justice to the weighty issues it presents.
The score by Michael Nyman (The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover, The Piano) provides an aural texture that compliments the visuals in a remarkable way, rather like a down-to-earth "Blade Runner." In fact, I would describe the film as part Philip K. Dick, part Aldous Huxley as in "Blade Runner cum Brave New World." One of the best and most timely dystopian films out there.
83 Fascinating issue, weak and bleak execution
Discrimination, nature-vs.-nuture, potential, drive... all fascinating issues, and all touched upon by Gattaca.
But when paired with a 'stylishly soulless' execution, the issues become as dull and lifeless as the characters that portray them.
In the film, love fizzles rather than sizzles. Passion seems hardly passionate. The main character has drive, but it's one more exposited than shone.
All of this together makes one think "hmm" rather than "wow!" While
