Bienvenue à Gattaca

Gattaca is written and directed by Andrew Niccol. It stars Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Gore Vidal, Loren Dean, Xander Berkeley and Alan Arkin. Music is by Michael Nyman and cinematography by Slawomir Idziak.

It's the near future and eugenics dominate a society where children are either "valids" (reproductive through eugenics) or "in-valids" (naturally birthed with inherent genetic flaws). One such "in-valid" is Vincent Anton Freeman (Hawke), who plots an intricate scheme to assume a "valid" person's identification so as to reach his dreams of being an astronaut.

There is no gene for fate.

Biopunk future meets tech-noir in this thought provoking and intelligent piece of sci-fi. There is a decent argument to suggest that Gattaca is more style over character substance, especially given that visually Niccol's movie is stunning. It's a near future world of genetic engineering where although discrimination is illegal, perfection rules the day and the "in-valids" are passed over for high grade employment. Identity, inferiority and bigotry are fused together to offer up moral quandaries and ethical conundrums, all set to an oppressive tech-noir backdrop painted by Idziak's deft choice of colour filters. There's a striking difference between the look of the Gattaca corporation compared to the rest of the outside world, this helps to keep the thematics at work rich and potent.

As a thriller it barely raises the pulse, but this is deliberate, as is the pacing by Niccol. This is an emotionally stunted world and the ethereal atmosphere hovers continually over proceedings. There's a romance in the mix between Hawke and Thurman, which on the surface seems a token sub-plot and devoid of passion, but again this feels deliberate, lack of passion is actually the order of the day. Cast performances are well up to scratch, with Law stealing the film as a one time "valid" ironically invalidated by an incident. And while we could have done with more from top performers Arkin (as a copper attired like a classical film noir gumshoe) and Elias Koteas (as Vincent's father), it rounds out as an impressively constructed picture.

Provocative and brainy, with visual pleasures unbound, Gattaca has many attributes that reward still further on repeat viewings. 8/10

Pity I didn't know anything about this movie when it came out in 97, I would've enjoyed watching it in the big screen instead of on my laptop screen. I've never been more inspired by any movie. This is an absolutely beautiful piece of art, from the scenery, the colours, everything. Ethan Hawke is fast becoming one of my favourite actors. His performance always lift me up. I know he almost play similar roles every time, i'll like him to play a different role actually, but in every movies he starred in (Dead poet's society, Great Expectations etc) i found that i always cared for his character and his performances never failed to touch me. Jude law is amazing as Jerome Morrow, I thought Uma thurman's character should be more developed, but she's perfect as irene. 8 out of 10. There's no gene for the human spirit.

Gattaca is a smart and stimulating science fiction film that succeeds on the basis of its story rather than reliance on special effects. The theme in this film revolves around one man's fight to overcome a very unique kind of discrimination. In the 'near future' world of Gattaca, there is no glass ceiling. The ceiling of the future, though invisible, is known to everyone. It is an individual's genetic code. As aptly stated in the film, this future society has "discrimination down to a science".

In Gattaca, Ethan Hawke, plays Vincent Freeman a young stargazer aspiring to man a flight to Titan, one of the moons of Jupiter. The problem is that space travel is reserved for the genetically engineered elite and Vincent is a 'natural born' individual with myopia and a heart condition. All that natural birth individuals can hope for in the world of Gattaca is jobs involving menial labor.

Vincent is not one to give up on his dreams. With the help of a genetic broker, Vincent has a plan to assume the identity of Jerome Morrow, played by Jude Law, who is a genetically engineered athlete who was paralyzed in an accident outside of the country. Much of the plot involves Vincent's attempts to assume the identity of Jerome and avoid having his true identity discovered, so that he can accomplish his goal of interstellar travel.

The opening scenes of the movie subtly capture the viewer's attention as we see nail clippings and hair follicles fall to the floor with thundering reverberations. This serves to prime the audience for the weighty role these biological identifiers will play in the remainder of the movie.

This film is full of smart and artful story telling. The director makes skillful use of montages to fill in substantial details about the character's background and struggles without stalling the forward progression and steady pace of the story. The mix of internal and external conflict that Vincent goes through, pulls the viewer in and makes his character so engaging.

In addition to the struggle to overcome genetic discrimination this film also has thematic elements showing the power of the human spirit and the bravery those willing to challenge the social norms that attempt to keep individuals pigeonholed in certain roles. This movie has such an interesting mix of science fiction, suspense, noir, and inspiration. I view it as a must-see movie. Enjoy!

22 years after release and this is my first viewing, but surely not my last. Gattaca is an iconic classic. One of the best sci-fi movies ever made. Too many futuristic movies fall prey to quickly dated special effects, obsolete technology or such dramatic changes in the social fabric that they are almost immediately out of touch with the course of history. Gattaca still stands tall and the social commentary is as relevant today as it was 22 years ago. Those cars tho...

A bittersweet fairy tale that dwells on mankind's constant striving for perfection amidst the crushing cruelty of society's prejudices.

Gattaca is the perfect specimen. From it's dreamlike frames and sleek neo noir sci fi design combined with it's exquisitely moving score by Michael Laurence Nyman, this is one movie that I have fond memories of.

The main character Vincent deals with the most primal of fears. Being the unloved child. Being rejected by a lover for not up to thier standards. And being unable to achieve his own dreams due to factors outside his control.

While we get the sense that this future dystopian world has not yet started hauling "imperfect people" into the gas chambers, you get the idea that it's only going to be a matter of time. Despite the anglo saxony 1950's American dream style decor of the future, you get the feeling that all this "eugenics" craze philosophy has left the world deeply lost and unhappy.

It feels lifeless, sterile and dead. It has lost something but doesn't know what "it" is. Even in a world of "perfect people" there are always going to be winners and losers and not everyone can be first place. It's impossible.

This point is perfectly illustrated in Jerome, a eugenics child who tried to commit suicide after winning silver. I'm in the belief that Jerome's story is not an isolated incident, especially in this world. Unable to meet the impossible standards set by the world, people are unable to love themselves or others due to thier lack of perfection. What you get is a world while though outwardly progressive is ultimately worthless. No ephemeral achievement can justify a world in which parents love one child over another due to their genetics, where two brothers must constantly struggle to assert thier worth, or a talented individual is left to live an aimless life because of some genetic flaw the world deemed irredeemable. It's insanity.

The ending definitely brought tears to my eyes. Many answers are left unanswered and the main cast will never see each other again but that only adds to the film's elegance.

Gattaca is one of the greatest films ever made because it is so raw and human. I know I can never shake away that feeling of awe I had while viewing for the first time. A deeply moving film that can never be made again.