Gattaca
The future is bright, or so it seems. The world is free of disease, people live longer and can work harder and with more success in pursuit of a dream. This sound like an ideal, perfect world where the problems of health can be left behind and everyone has a shot at happiness.
But things are never what they seem, as young Vincent soon learnes. Diagnosed with 75% chance of massive heart failure before the age of 30, he’s an imperfect man in a perfect world. However, the perfect world has raised new standards: now all interviews are comprised of a genetic test for an individual’s potential. Women choose their men based on genetic profile obtained up-to-the-second.
In this world there’s no room for Vincent, or his dreams. He has no chance of being accepted as someone’s partner for life, but most important, he has no chance to fulfil his dream of one day departing this world that doesn’t want him towards the stars.
Vincent is, as they call him, a God-child. A child born out of the love of two people and not through the wonders of the genetic science. He is just as nature wanted him, imperfect, charming, full of dreams, but without the means to reach his dreams. As Vincent says: “They used to say that a child conceived in love has a greater chance of happiness. They don’t say that anymore.”
Through contrast, Anton (Vincent’s brother) is perfect. Perfect health, no chance of disease, he is born artificially to be succesful and make his parents proud. He is a made man, his future is assured.
Unknown to them, Jerome is even a better version of Anton. Perfect made by his parents, winning prizes over prizes, Jerome seems to be the embodiment of success, until one fateful day when tragedy strikes and he learns that fate and luck can’t be genetically controlled.
But one day something happens. The sickly and fragile Vincent challenges his brother to a swimming contest and against all odds, Vincent wins and that day he takes a decision: if he could beat the odds then maybe, just maybe, he has a chance to break into where no God-child could ever get. For Vincent Gattaca is not only the Space Center, but the gate to the world of his dreams.
With Jerome’s help, Vincent tries to borrow his identity and sneak into Gattaca, but once there he learns that he must prove over and over that despite his genetic flaws, the human spirit can prevail and he has what it takes to make it to the stars. But for someone destined not to live over 30, Vincent has a lot to overcome.
From under the wand of visual magician Andrew Niccol, we get “Gattaca” (starring Loren Dean, Ethan Hawke, Jude Law, Uma Thurman and Xander Berkeley) a cinematographical jewel about what it means to be human and about what perfection really is.
Movie Quotes:
Vincent: You want to know how I did it? This is how I did it, Anton: I never saved anything for the swim back.
Vincent: They used to say that a child conceived in love has a greater chance of happiness. They don’t say that anymore.
Jerome: I got the better end of the deal. I only lent you my body - you lent me your dream.
Vincent: [voiceover] For someone who was never meant for this world, I must confess I’m suddenly having a hard time leaving it. Of course, they say every atom in our bodies was once part of a star. Maybe I’m not leaving… maybe I’m going home.
[Vincent arrives at a test, unprepared and knows he's gonna be caught]
Vincent: What’s this?
Dr. Lamar: New Policy, what’s the matter? Flight got you nervous.
Vincent: Nope, there’s a problem Lamar…
Dr. Lamar: …I still haven’t told you about my son have I. He’s a big fan of yours…
Vincent: Just remember. I was as good as any, and better than most…
Dr. Lamar: …He wants to apply here…
Vincent: …I could’ve gone up and back and nobody would’ve been the wiser…
Dr. Lamar: …unfortunately my son’s not all that they promised. But then again, who knows what he could do.
[test reveals Vincent as invalid]
Dr. Lamar: For future reference, right handed men don’t hold it with their left. Just one of those things.
[Lamar hits button revealing Jerome's valid id]
Vincent: [Vincent stares into Lamar eyes, hesitating]
Dr. Lamar: You’re gonna miss your flight Vincent.
Vincent: You are the authority on what is not possible, aren’t you Irene? They’ve got you looking for any flaw, that after a while that’s all you see. For what it’s worth, I’m here to tell you that it is possible. It is possible.
Vincent: It’s funny, you work so hard, you do everything you can to get away from a place, and when you finally get your chance to leave, you find a reason to stay.
Vincent: How the hell did you get up here?
Jerome: Oh, I could always walk… I’ve been faking it.