Sandra (18): "Gattaca is such a wonderful, parabolic movie I would recommend to all my friends!"
Nowadays, “designing” children, eating genetically modified food and “pimping” DNA to get better skin is nothing to write home about. Yet, merely sixty years ago this development provided material for various “Sci-Fi”-movies. A particularly outstanding movie is “Gattaca” from 1997. The movie tells the wonderful story of a young man who, although he has to overcome a lot of obstacles, holds on to his dreams and does not allow anyone to lead him astray. At the same time, a development concerning each one of us is being named: Genoism.
The main character Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), who is in love with the outer space since he was born, is excluded from as well as being frown upon by the society. Why? In contrast to a lot of other members of the society, he was conceived naturally instead of being “designed” in a petri dish. That is why he is denounced as “invalid”, a misfit, who has a congenital heart defect as well as a low expectation of life.
Diverse DNA-tests, standardised and illegally used during job interviews, immediately disclose his “defect” as well as the fact that he is not “perfect”. However, he does not enable anybody to argue him out of his biggest wish to become an astronaut. His motivation, ambition and passion are mainly encouraged through a key moment in his life: When he was still a child, he had a competition with his “valid” brother Anton. They swam in the open sea until one of them would give up and return to the shore. Vincent always lost except for one time which should determine his life henceforth, since it proved that anything is possible. Stamina and willpower proved to be more significant than the own DNA. Even though it seems to be totally out of reach to become something as esteemed as an astronaut, Vincent had a plan: He used the identity of a “valid” whose level of perfection was somehow decreased. In his case he illegally used the identity of Eugene Morrow (Jude Law) who is wheelchair-bound since an “accident”. However, as a former athlete and a genetically modified “valid” he essentially stands in the forefront with outstanding prospects in every field. Eventually, Eugene leaves his identity to Vincent in exchange of the means to maintain his extravagant lifestyle. With the aid of Eugene’s identity, Vincent is able to assert himself and get the job at the “Gattaca Aeorospace Corporation” of which he always had dreamt of.
At “Gattaca” daily genetic testing is a matter of course: Through Jerome’s bodily fluids Vincent is being enabled to pass these tests. And as if this was not enough, his past eventually catches up with him: As Vincent falls in love with his colleague Irene Cassini (Uma Thurman); a dead body is discovered at “Gattaca”. Shortly after that, one of Vincent’s own eyelashes is being detected threatening to blow his cover. Although, Vincent somehow manages to stay undetected until the mission to titan the doctor unexpectedly demands another genetic testing before the take-off. Completely offhanded, Vincent is not able to cover up his identity anymore.
At the end, it proves that the doctor always knew Vincent’s true birth and that he deliberately supported him. While Vincent finally makes his dream come true Jerome, who suffered from a depression already before his “accident” not bearing up the constant pressure to be “perfect”, commits suicide in the incinerator.
With this masterpiece Andrew Niccol once again proves his talent. Watching this movie I saw a lot of people engrossed in a pondering silence, impressed and yet others deeply moved. This “Sci-Fi”- Thriller depicts the root of our societal development. The term “genoism” was especially created in favour of this movie and describes the discrimination of human beings due to “defective” genetic material.
We should constantly show ourselves quite plainly that the development to the point of “designer-babies” causes increased disparities within a society. As some seem to profit from such inventions, others are now on the brink of our society, being bereft of all perspectives. It is just as Friedman once said: It does not matter where you come from or how you look to be successful in your profession. It is much more important that you are motivated and have passion for what you do. The joy of learning new things as well as the love you feel for your job should be put forward instead of needless pressure to succeed. And always remember: There is no way being hundred percent fruitful!
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