In Sci-fi thriller Gattaca, set in the not-too-distant future, DNA engineering has made it possible for men and women to be born with a high I.Q. and perfect bodies. Naturally born individuals are stigmatized by society and given only menial jobs. Vincent (Ethan Hawke) is naturally born with poor eyesight and a heart condition. He is genetically defective, yet his yearning to become an astronaut has made him into an innovative subversive.
A broker arranges for Vincent to swap identities with Jerome (Jude Law), a genetically perfect specimen who was paralyzed in an accident. Using Jerome’s identity and blood samples, Vincent steps into the door of Gattaca Aerospace Corporation, and he eventually rises to become one of the elites in the corporation. However, his dream of going to outer space was put in jeopardy when a murder investigator threatens to reveal his true identity.
The film does not load you with graphic murders or action sequences. Instead, the story offers you theories on the future of science and morality. It makes us wonder whether science can ever make up for the world’s imperfections. At the same time, it reminds us of what makes us human. In this film, we cheer for the rebel as he tries to fulfill his dream to voyage in outer space. Our dream, the heart’s desire, is one of the things that what makes us human.
Ethan Hawke brings undeniable charm to his role as Vincent, and in this richly textured show, many minor characters also stand out. The best performance belongs to Jude Law, who steals the show in every scene he’s in, and creates a character filled with the pessimism over having a burden placed on his genetic perfection. The production will dazzle you with its striking beauty. From futuristic office space to the sleekly cold and massive buildings, every set is a treat for the eyes.
