Where lies Destiny? (Gattaca (DVD))

Member Name: RedBen

Product:	Gattaca (DVD)
Date:	13/01/09 (128 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Thematic, resonant storytelling, flawless turns from all involved

Disadvantages: Honestly, none

In the more compartmentalised video stores you will find Gattaca tucked away in the science-fiction department. Whilst this is ostensibly true, Gattaca is a film absolutely centred on humanistic notions of self-worth, friendship, love and hope, told against a semi-dystopian backdrop of overt government control.

The 'Gattaca' in question is a prestigious Aeronautics corporation, a NASA equivalent, (Gattaca gets its name from the 'alphabet' of DNA, constructed of the four letters, G C T and A) and it is here that Vincent (Ethan Hawke) works. He dreams of becoming an astronaut, exploring and navigating space as a cartographic traveller on board one of Gattaca's shuttles. Standing in his way is the eugenics-inspired society into which he was born, a society that determines a person's worth solely on their genetic makeup. Those that conform to this rigid set of criteria are known as Valids. Vincent, in suffering from a congenital heart defect and severe myopia, is decidedly Invalid.

In order to circumnvent these inherent problems, Vincent enlists the help of Jerome (Jude Law), in every way a model of biological perfection, except that he is wheelchair-bound following a failed suicide attempt. We learn that Jerome contains the perfect genetic blueprint to be a champion swimmer but in the most important race of his life Jerome only manages to win second place - which is no victory at all. Such undermining of Jerome's entire raison d'etre is too much for him, and he throws himself at the mercy of oncoming traffic. Mercy, however, isn't answering, and Jerome survives, keeping his life but losing the use of his legs.

Instead, Jerome becomes a sort of spare-parts man for Vincent, donating urine, blood and tissue samples to Vincent so that, despite his shortcomings, he can live the life of a Valid. Thanks to Jerome's genetic gifts and Vincent's determination, Vincent is eventually picked to be a Gattaca astronaut.

But when a dead body is found at Gattaca HQ, the subsequent murder investigation threatens to disclose Vincent's fraudulence and shatter his dreams.

Gattaca is as perfect a film as I have watched, in that I cannot think of another film that so adroitly, stylistically and poignantly presents its themes. Many of these are expressed through the character of Jerome: the delicacy of the relationship between perfection and downfall; the subjugative effect upon the individual of social norms; the dangers that can stem from singularity, from being too focused on just one thing.

Whilst Jerome reflects the potentially harmful and cynical result of societal pressure, Vincent and his partner Irene (Uma Thurman) display the positive, showing that self-determination can exist even in the most predetermined of matrixes.

The film boasts wonderful performances from all involved, but it is the relationship between Vincent and Jerome that lies at the heart of this film. It is fascinating to see how they borrow from each other; how, from starting at such opposite ends, they meld together before splitting once more at the film's end, to such dichotomic effect. Jude Law in particular shines, perfectly conveying the cynicism, humour and affectation that his character demands.

The film's visuals are lo-fi yet evocative, and its anachronistic cultural feel - the motor cars, the architecture - lends a 1950s aesthetic to proceedings. The futuristic milieu is merely hinted at throughout the film, suggesting a transcendance that spans time and cultures, whilst never detracting the focus away from the story and characters.

Gattaca seems to have it all: plot, characterisation and theme. It deals with many weighty issues - identity, destiny, sibling rivalry, love, friendship, sacrifice - but because the story is so well told the film never leaves you with the impression that it has tried too hard or become evangelical in its message.

In the end what you are left with will probably vary depending on you as a person, but whatever your overriding emotion is it is likely to be profound. And, for me, there is no greater testament to a movie.

Summary: One of the finest films of all time