Picture a situation in which you enter the world and the moment you enter the world, it has been predecided what you would be able to achieve and what you won’t. Even before you step into school, get your first job, or understand what “life” is all about, someone has already made your decision for you. This is not some sort of coincidence due to the person knowing you but because of the results of some sort of genetic test.
This is exactly the world of the film Gattaca, given to us by director Andrew Niccol. In terms of what I find fascinating in this flick, it is not the technology and genetic engineering itself that stands out to me. What I find appealing is the way the film manages to throw light on how easily one will find it possible for society to define a person based on his/her background.
This tale depicts the life of Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) in a dystopian world where scientific advancement leads to the creation of genetically modified people. Most people live perfect lives as they are born from DNA-selected parents but Vincent is different. His genes were not selected before his birth and he was born with a limited chance of succeeding in life.
This situation does not deter him from pursuing his dreams of space travel. Different obstacles stand in his way because his genetic profile does not match society's criteria for a space traveler.
I personally find this idea to be fascinating because Vincent is not asking for anything more than any other individual. He understands that he is deficient in any aspect, but still insists on his right not to be judged by his genes.
When Vincent encounters Jerome (Jude Law), the film takes a different direction. Jerome has a genetic profile that society values, but his life has not gone according to plan. Vincent starts using Jerome's identity to gain access to the life he has been denied. This ultimately leads to constant fear of being found out, even through the smallest mistake like a single hair or drop of blood.
The film keeps the tension through these details instead of relying on big action scenes. I appreciate that about it. Even a simple identity check might feel like a real threat.
Ethan Hawke effectively portrays a man who is both confident and flawed. He faces challenges but makes progress nonetheless. Jude Law’s contribution to the film is equally significant. The character he plays shows that wealth and possessions do not make one happy. The character of Uma Thurman provides us with a different angle on the situation, while Alan Arkin makes the character warm and relatable.
The atmosphere is another aspect I enjoy. The buildings, clothing and workplaces are very neat and tidy. Everything looks good; one could say it is too beautiful. In reality, though, this beauty is superficial. People live in constant anxiety and fear of being judged. Through the choice of setting, the film narrates a lot about the society in which the events unfold without words.
There are several criticisms against the film Gattaca. Certain aspects of Vincent's plan seem to rely a bit too much on luck and some of the scenes are somewhat predictable. Nevertheless, these issues do not diminish the significance of the film's main message. It is clear and straightforward, but the question that it raises remains in your mind.
The main reason why **Gattaca **is so appealing nowadays is that its warning sounds very familiar. In our society, tests and scores are involved in almost every major decision we make. These things could be of certain use to us, but do they determine human abilities? It is worth bearing in mind that the word "prediction" does not equal "guarantee," and the term "flaw" may not necessarily mean "mistake."
To me, the most important point made by Gattaca is that no one should decide what other people can do while they have not even tried it. Vincent dreaming of making it to outer space fights for having the opportunity to control his own destiny.
Almost thirty years after the film was released, Gattaca is still worth watching, primarily due to the fact that its initial question has not lost the relevance.
