In movie review, I’ll look at Gattaca, a 1997 science fiction which is set in the future.

This movie takes place in “the not-too-distant future”. The movie focuses on a society governed by genetics. Also, it’s a society strictly stratified along class lines where you’re born wealthy or part of an underclass.

Gattaca stars Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman. Ethan Hawke plays Vincent, an “invalid” who wasn’t given the benefit of genetic engineering. As Irene and Vincent’s new girlfriend, Uma Thurman is a valid with an almost perfect genetic quotient. These are the main stars of Gattaca.

That being said, eugenics, meaning well born, is explored in the movie. However, it’s not the pseudoscience eugenics of the 20th century, but it’s a souped up eugenics of the future where everything is based on genetic engineering.

Needless to say, Vincent can’t get anywhere based on merit in this new society. When it comes to getting hired, he’s prone to disease because he wasn’t part of the Eugenic programs; therefore, he can’t get a good job. Also, he lacks the necessary educational credentials for such a job, although he educated himself. In this world of the future, Vincent cannot improve his position in life based on his own efforts.

Consequently, Vincent decides to adopt a new identity. He adopts the identity of Jerome Eugene Morrow, a swimming star recently disabled in an accident. With this new identity, Vincent gets a job at Gattaca, an aerospace corporation that makes flights to Saturn.

Genetic discrimation is a theme in this movie. Basically, genetic discrimination refers to the unequal treatment of people based on genes. Genetic discrimination is illegal, but this law isn’t enfornced in the future.

When thinking about this movie, one bible verse came to mind. “Consider the work of the true God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked?” That seems to be the basis of this movie.

I liked one part of the movie where Vincent meets his genetically superior brother, Anton. In this scene, Anton, a detective, finally meets his less genetically superior brother, Vincent. During this scene, Anton accuses Vincent of fraud. However, Vincent hasn’t done anything wrong because he’s achieved everything on his own merit. Nevertheless, Anton is infuriated because he can only succeed by seeing Vincent fail.

Overall, the movie is good for a variety of reasons. First, it explores the possible outcome of genetic engineering. Also, it shows us a strictly stratified society where there is no class mobility: Everyone is born rich or poor. Finally, it shows us that destiny is not pre-determined or a genetic thing.