Gattaca
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Movie Reviews of Gattaca
Movie Review: Implausibility of protagonist's struggle is the point
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: Extraordinary
Summary: 5 Stars
"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.
Movie Review: The best kind of science fiction movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Andrew Niccol does a very special kind of science fiction. He doesn't make stories about machines or technologies, but about how people are affected by these things. "Gattaca" is a very special example of this concept. Genetic engineering is a huge subject in the moment wich we are changing of the century and the millennium. In this movie we see what could happen to us if this technology is used in a stupid way. How many kids would not even be born, how many dreams could never happen? What it tries to show is that even the most handicapped person can do special physical and mental feats. And that is what Vincent, the central character, does. Being a natural born human (made naturally, with no genetic corrections in his DNA) technically, he can't compete with his enhanced contenders. So he can't get a good job and then he can't fulfill his dearest dream: travel through space. So what he does is cheat. He cheats the whole system and get a job, using genetic samples from an enhanced guy. But when someone is found murdered, Vincent turns out to be the number one suspect. Using this plot, Niccol manages to tell a touching story about friendship, love, ethics, and about how far can someone go for a dream. And how people can ignore genetic determinism and make a difference. In the DVD, there is an optional endind that shows how many important people from humanity's history could not have been born if genetic detreminism happened before. Even though Niccol manipulates the plot too much to prove his points of view, the movie, the acting and the great end, make you think about the subjects raised by this movie for a long time. A good movie to spend a dinner talking about. And. with "Matrix"and "Twelve Monkeys", one of the best of the decade.Movie Review: The best part is less obvious than you think.
Summary: 5 Stars
Gattaca is an insightful moving tale of the emergence of genetic perfection within society and how it impacts its members. The obvious story, which is compelling enough, is the struggle of Vincent to succeed against the odds of being a "God-child" and not being engineered. The love interest is also good but Uma Thurman comes off a little flat. Maybe that's intended, but I didn't care for that portrayal. The sub-plot, however, is very subtle until the end and in my opinion is one of the best parts of the movie. Vincent uses another man's genetic traces to qualify in society. This is no spoiler as this is eastablished early. What is interesting to watch is the character of Jerome (played outstandingly by Jude Law). I won't mention it here but if you chose to observe Jerome closely you will find an interesting counterpoint to the "perfect society" as displayed by Jerome's issues surrounding his, what most of us would call, success. The movie elegantly has this as a background point. While the viewer is busy sympathizing with Vincent and hoping the best for Vincent and Irene, you tend to miss some of the best contextual commentary from Jerome. The symbolism in the movie is also very-well done. Notice the stair-case and the fact that Jerome is now at the bottom and that only after collecting Jerome's materials can Vincent then climb the genetic ladder of social acceptance. I have seen this movie many times and I can say there are no fluff scenes, no filler. Every scene has something important to convey regarding the society that has sprung from the widespread use of genetic engineering. In my opinion, this film is no less than outstanding. A great (and first, I might add) effort from Andrew Niccol, a former cologne ad director.Movie Review: A Genetically Enhanced Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
In the not too distant future, science has perfected the technique to genetically enhance babies before they are even implanted into the mother's womb.
Vincent (played by Ethan Hawke) was not genetically enhanced (a "god" child) and tests conducted immediately after he was born showed him to be riddled with possible medical problems. His younger brother, Anton, was genetically enhanced. While everyone repeatedly told Anton how far he could go, they told Vincent never to expect to go anywhere.
In a society that heaps praises and opportunities on the genetically pure, there is a black market where people like Vincent can, for a price, take over the identity of people like Jerome (played by Jude Law), a genetically enhanced man who is now confined to a wheelchair. With his new identity, along with Jerome's blood, skin cells, hair, etc., Vincent is able to pursue his dream of going into outer space. But a murder at the company Vincent works for, in which he accidentally leaves a DNA trace of his real self at the scene, threatens to derail his plans.
This is an outstanding movie that has something for everyone. Science Fiction, drama, romance, mystery, and even some action. Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman (who plays Irene, Vincent's love interest) and Jude Law all give excellent performances.
This vision of the future is creepy, though not beyond what we think it could be like. The storyline is extremely compelling, and the "coda" in the special feature part of the DVD will give you a lot to think about.
"Gattaca" is worth adding to your collection so that you can watch it over and over again.