Gattaca film review

Andrew Niccol’s sci-fi film is a theatrical dilemma between technology and morals. Child birth is now performed almost solely by genetic selection. This process has led to a superior race known as valids, while those few who are still born naturally are looked down upon and called invalids, or natural borns. Those born naturally are believed to be weaker and not as intelligent and are not aloud to perform more advanced jobs, forcing them to work as janitors or other manual labor jobs.

"I'll never understand what possessed my mother to put her faith in God's hands, rather than her local geneticist,” Vincent Freeman, played by Ethan Hawke, an invalid is told he has a ninety-nine percent chance of heart disease, and a forty percent chance of manic depression when he is born. This leads the doctors to tell his parents he has a life expectancy of thirty years. Vincent is told many times growing up that his dream of going into space is impossible. Since Vincent is to only live thirty years no business is willing to spend the money to train him.

With no other options Vincent leaves his family and begins a secret life. He joins up with a valid who was bread to be a superior athlete but has suffered a paralyzing injury. Jerome, played by Jude law, is a valid no longer able to support himself so he secretly gives his DNA to Vincent. Vincent must now become Jerome by carrying pouches of Jerome’s blood, and urine around on him at all times for the many DNA tests performed by his new employer. Those who do so are called borrowed ladders and are hunted down as frauds.

Vincent has now been hired by an aerospace corporation called Gattaca, and is now able to pursue his dream of going into space, as Jerome Morrow. He must go through many DNA tests to prove he is still genetically fit to go into space. He is able to successfully get through all of the tests, Until a murder investigation threatens to expose who he really is. One of Vincent’s eye lashes is found at the murder scene in the directors office. When it is identified as Vincent Freeman an invalid it sets of thousands of questions. Vincent freeman is supposed to be dead by now, and how did an invalid get through to Gattaca, they are not smart enough or physically fit enough to pass their tests.

With the launch of his dreams just days away Vincent must avoid the cops, suspicion, and all the new tests now being performed by his employer.“No, there's truly nothing remarkable about the progress of Jerome Morrow... except that I AM NOT Jerome Morrow.”