Review of Gattaca (1997) by Michael Y — 09 Mar 2011

In a time where descrimination is now down to a genome and people's medical futures are known at birth, Gattaca is a powerfully touching story about defying your physical capabilities and social labels, because all the science in the world cannot calculate the human spirit.

While most people are genetically engineered from their DNA to be perfect, Vincent was born the natural way, but at the cost of being inperfect in a world where perfection is everything. Vincent doesn't like this world, which is why he never gives up on his dream to go to another. But in order to get into the advanced space facility called Gattaca, Vincent is going to have to borrow DNA from a more perfect man than he is. But Vincent's will and determination shows just how perfect he really is in the end. Doesn't this story just inspire you? You have a man who science says he isn't smart, physically capable or qualified to be is space, yet he defies all odds, even when there's a chance he could die of heart failure. And the man he borrows DNA from is his opposite, a man who had every advantage in life yet doesn't appriciate it. This movie shows a down side to perfection, an upside to imperfection and shows that there are no boundaries of what one can do with a powerful determination.

Writer and director, Andrew Niccol, presents a stunningly beautiful and fresh look into a futuristic world. What Niccol does is not to create a crazy ass Blade Runner universe, but more simply to create future that doesn't at all seem unlikely. As a matter of fact there is noting in this movie that doesn't exist already. But what Niccol does is to make it appear futuristic by making this world as beautiful, clean, cold and distant from human emotion as possible. The future we see is, like the genetic people in the movie, still this world, just only the best this world has to offer. The sets, art direction and cinematography make this world look as beautiful as it is cold and unnatural. But everything, from the lighting to the inside of Gattaca looks incredably artistic and well made. And Michael Nyman's original score adds the perfect emotional punch the the scenes that makes this movie from creative to a tearjerker.

This emotionally compelling sci-fi drama is a one of a kind story made exceptionally well. Made even more powerful with the wonderful acting of Ethan Hawke, Jude Law and Uma Thurman who each play a very intriguing and well written character with significant impact on the themes and drama of the story. Gattaca is a sappy, emotional and beautifully inspiring movie and personal favourite of mine that touches my heart in a way that not many movies aim to do anymore. This makes Gattaca a must see for the pure-of-heart who love movies that speak to them.