Gattaca
Gattaca is a science fiction film set in a fictional future where biometrics and genetic testing dictate the development of society. The film features actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, who eventually married after meeting while making the film; they later divorced in 2003. The film's title is spelled using only G's, A's, T's and C's - in reference to the four of the genetic bases.
Plot Summary
Set in a future world, the movie follows a young man named Vincent Freeman, who is of inferior genetic make up. He was a naturally born baby, something rare in this world where genes are systematically manipulated to create more perfect humans. Following Vincent's birth, his parents decide to create another son with better genes. As he continues to grow up, Vincent faces discrimination for his genetic inferiority. Because of this discrimination, Vincent assumes the identity of a paralyzed, yet genetically elite man named Jerome Morrow. Vincent uses Jerome's blood, skin, and hair to deceive the Gattaca Corporation into giving him a job. As Jerome Morrow, Vincent is well on his way to traveling to space, his childhood dream. Soon before his mission to space, the mission director is murdered, delaying the mission until the death is investigated. Vincent must avoid compromising his true identity during the investigation to not miss his chance to go to space.
Cast
- Ethan Hawke as Vincent Anton Freeman (Jerome Eugene Morrow)
- Uma Thurman as Irene Cassini
- Jude Law as Jerome Eugene Morrow
- Loren Dean as Anton Freeman
- Gore Vidal as Director Josef
- Xander Berkeley as Dr. Lamar
- Jayne Brook as Marie Freeman
- Elias Koteas as Antonio Freeman
- Maya Rudolph as Delivery nurse
- Blair Underwood as Geneticist
- Ernest Borgnine as Caesar
- Mason Gamble as young Vincent Freeman
- Vincent Nielson as young Anton Freeman
- Chad Christ as teen Vincent Freeman
- William Lee Scott as teen Anton Freeman
- Tony Shalhoub as German
- Alan Arkin as Detective Hugo
- Dean Norris as Beat Cop
- Ken Marino as Sequencing technician
- Cynthia Martells as Cavendish
Ethics of Genetic Profiling
One of the themes that Gattaca brings up is the idea of creating a perfect society. In the film, the achievement of genetic engineering is that parents can order a "perfect" baby. After Vincent was born, the doctors tested his blood and were able to analyze his DNA, projecting Vincent to live only 30.2 years [2]. As mentioned above, Vincent's parents decide to order a baby which will be genetically engineered. Society deems naturally born humans like Vincent inferior and assign them jobs such as janitors. On the contrary, prestigious jobs are given to genetically engineered humans such as Jerome. The film's depiction of society was criticized for its emphasis of creating a perfect race and a perfect society. In addition to genetic discrimination, Gattaca brings up other ethical implications such as the loss of human diversity and altered lifestyles due to genetic prophecies [3]
