Not long ago, I was watching the movie Gattaca again. I had seen this movie from maybe forty minutes or so in as a substitute, right to the end. But the beginning of the movie still remained a mystery to me.
This week, I had a chance to sub in the same science class, and this time, got to watch the beginning (actually, got to watch the beginning four times). So now, I have indeed finally seen the entire movie. Someday, though (and probably soon), I will watch it in it's entirety from beginning to end. Still, I have seen enough of it now to justify a review of the film, it seems, so here goes:
For those of you unfamiliar with that movie, it is a science-fiction film which is not an especially sunny view of the future. Initially, it takes us into a future where discrimination is perhaps no longer based on race or even economic class, which may sound like a paradise of sorts. However, we quickly see that despite laws banning discrimination, it does indeed exist.
This week, I had a chance to sub in the same science class, and this time, got to watch the beginning (actually, got to watch the beginning four times). So now, I have indeed finally seen the entire movie. Someday, though (and probably soon), I will watch it in it's entirety from beginning to end. Still, I have seen enough of it now to justify a review of the film, it seems, so here goes:
For those of you unfamiliar with that movie, it is a science-fiction film which is not an especially sunny view of the future. Initially, it takes us into a future where discrimination is perhaps no longer based on race or even economic class, which may sound like a paradise of sorts. However, we quickly see that despite laws banning discrimination, it does indeed exist.
You see, in this futuristic world, ideal children are engineered by science. Anyone choosing to have a child, flaws and all, out of love is essentially relegating that child to enduring life as a second-class citizen, suitable to work menial jobs cleaning spaces and toilets and such. Meanwhile, the high-paying, most reputable positions all go to those who are scientifically proven to be the most suited to it. They are the tallest, healthiest people, with the best eyesight. Human engineering in this still fictional (for now) world has provided parents with the opportunity to have absolutely perfect children, exactly to their liking, and so parents had better take it. To do anything else is seen as simply irresponsible, and a life sentence in a very real sense to their offspring.
Everything is taken into consideration, including intelligence, health and physical endurance, height, and statistical probabilities that almost assure success and avoidance of any seeming distraction issues, such as depression. It is a complete transformation of societies, and a truly scientific way of picking the favored and weeding out the weaklings, if you will.
As you can imagine, life for the less desirable, natural (that is to say, not engineered to reach perfection) humans is not only not a picnic, but is a nightmare of sorts. Their possibilities are extremely limited, as there is no real upward mobility. Thus, for something that was never their choice, and which they were born with, they are relegated to that inferior status, and it lasts for their entire lives, without possibility of escape. The exact opposite is true for the children of scientific engineering, who are as perfect as human beings can get, and thus receive all of the very best advantages that society can bestow on people.
Gattaca follows one such child. Ethan Hawke plays Vincent Freeman, a child born out of love between his two parents, who decide to buck the trend and have a child of natural birth, with no scientific engineering. The results, however, are a very flawed child, one who has absolutely no chance at a rewarding career, or of making much of his life more generally. Perhaps his greatest flaw is his inability not to dream. He particularly dreams of space, of leaving this world that knows only his limitations, and to see a universe full of what seems like limitless possibilities. But with his official status as an "Invalid" (yes, that is what he is literally classed as in this fictional world), this dream more often gets in the way, and serves to haunt him, more than anything.
Then suddenly, through a series of almost freak accident (but not quite, as we will learn), and almost unexpectedly for him, the opportunity to shed his inferior status and become a "Valid" comes to him. It seems improbable to pull this off, in a world where there is no privacy, and when there are constant, relentless tests of proof of one's status. Somehow, against all odds, he manages to pass himself off as not only a "Valid," but as the most perfect example of an engineered human being. His curiosity and desire to explore space during his time spent as an "Invalid" helps, as he scores perfect scores time and time again, as does his relentless, incredibly intense physical conditioning.
This movie focuses on his struggles, and the challenges of trying to make it in a world where the cards are not only stacked against him succeeding, but where science in particularly tries to make sure to keep him in his place. At times, it is almost like a spy movie, like a virtual thriller. Yet, it is able to transcend some of those kinds of movies, by opening up the can of worms regarding the ethics of this kind of world - a world that, quite frankly, is not as remote of a possibility as it might at first appear to be.
Ultimately, this is a movie to be watched! Admittedly, I had not even heard about this movie until about a year or so ago, when I was first exposed to it during a subbing assignment. Either that, or I do not remember it, because this movie came out in 1997, and I have absolutely no memory of it. But it is actually a powerful movie, and a fascinating one in terms of the implications and questions that arise from it. This is the kind of movie that you want to go to a diner to discuss after viewing it. It is not a happy movie, of course, yet it remains entertaining throughout. But like many other such great movies, such as 12 Monkeys, the beginning might seem a bit confusing at first. The movie might not seem to make sense at first, but if you remain patient, I promise it will all come together, and definitely will be worth your time and effort - promise!
Highly recommended!
Gattaca follows one such child. Ethan Hawke plays Vincent Freeman, a child born out of love between his two parents, who decide to buck the trend and have a child of natural birth, with no scientific engineering. The results, however, are a very flawed child, one who has absolutely no chance at a rewarding career, or of making much of his life more generally. Perhaps his greatest flaw is his inability not to dream. He particularly dreams of space, of leaving this world that knows only his limitations, and to see a universe full of what seems like limitless possibilities. But with his official status as an "Invalid" (yes, that is what he is literally classed as in this fictional world), this dream more often gets in the way, and serves to haunt him, more than anything.
Then suddenly, through a series of almost freak accident (but not quite, as we will learn), and almost unexpectedly for him, the opportunity to shed his inferior status and become a "Valid" comes to him. It seems improbable to pull this off, in a world where there is no privacy, and when there are constant, relentless tests of proof of one's status. Somehow, against all odds, he manages to pass himself off as not only a "Valid," but as the most perfect example of an engineered human being. His curiosity and desire to explore space during his time spent as an "Invalid" helps, as he scores perfect scores time and time again, as does his relentless, incredibly intense physical conditioning.
This movie focuses on his struggles, and the challenges of trying to make it in a world where the cards are not only stacked against him succeeding, but where science in particularly tries to make sure to keep him in his place. At times, it is almost like a spy movie, like a virtual thriller. Yet, it is able to transcend some of those kinds of movies, by opening up the can of worms regarding the ethics of this kind of world - a world that, quite frankly, is not as remote of a possibility as it might at first appear to be.
Ultimately, this is a movie to be watched! Admittedly, I had not even heard about this movie until about a year or so ago, when I was first exposed to it during a subbing assignment. Either that, or I do not remember it, because this movie came out in 1997, and I have absolutely no memory of it. But it is actually a powerful movie, and a fascinating one in terms of the implications and questions that arise from it. This is the kind of movie that you want to go to a diner to discuss after viewing it. It is not a happy movie, of course, yet it remains entertaining throughout. But like many other such great movies, such as 12 Monkeys, the beginning might seem a bit confusing at first. The movie might not seem to make sense at first, but if you remain patient, I promise it will all come together, and definitely will be worth your time and effort - promise!
Highly recommended!
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