Gattaca is a science fiction film dystopian 1997 directed by Andrew Niccol and starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Jude Law. The film is set in a near future where society is divided into two classes: the genetically superior “valid” and the genetically inferior “invalid”.
The main character, Vincent Freeman (played by Ethan Hawke), is an “invalid” who has high ambitions to work for the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation, a space company that employs only genetically superior people. To fulfill his dream, Vincent assumes the identity of Jerome Eugene Morrow (played by Jude Law), a “valid” who lost the use of his legs in an accident.
Vincent/Jerome manages to pass the screening tests and become part of the Gattaca, but his true identity is threatened when one of his superiors is murdered and the police begin to investigate. Meanwhile, Vincent falls in love with his colleague Irene (played by Uma Thurman), but is forced to hide his true identity from her.
The film raises many ethical and moral questions about genetics and the future of society. In particular, the film challenges the idea that genetics can determine a person’s success, and suggests that the individual has the ability to overcome the limits imposed by his genetics.
Gattaca has received praise for its cinematography, score, and storytelling, and has become a cult film in the science fiction community. The film was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Art Direction.
Plot
Gattaca is set in a near future where society is divided into two classes: the genetically superior “valid” and the genetically inferior “invalid”. Vincent Freeman (played by Ethan Hawke) is an “invalid” who has high ambitions to work for the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation, a space company that employs only genetically superior people.
To fulfill his dream, Vincent assumes the identity of Jerome Eugene Morrow (played by Jude Law), a “valid” who lost the use of his legs in an accident. Vincent/Jerome manages to pass the screening tests and become part of the Gattaca, but his true identity is threatened when one of his superiors is murdered and the police begin to investigate.
Vincent tries to hide his true identity from his colleagues and superiors, but is suspected of being the killer due to a DNA trace found at the crime scene. Vincent manages to get his friend Jerome to give him blood and urine samples to avoid detection.
Meanwhile, Vincent falls in love with his colleague Irene (played by Uma Thurman), but is forced to hide his true identity from her. The situation is further complicated when the director of the Gattaca discovers that Vincent is not a “valid” and threatens to fire him.
Movie Characters
Here is a brief description of the main characters of the movie “Gattaca”:
Vincent Freeman (played by Ethan Hawke): The film’s protagonist, an “invalid” who dreams of becoming a “spacer” and working for the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation. To achieve his goal, Vincent assumes the identity of Jerome Eugene Morrow.
Jerome Eugene Morrow (played by Jude Law): A “valid” who lost the use of his legs in an accident and who helps Vincent hide his true identity.
Irene Cassini (played by Uma Thurman): a colleague of Vincent alla Gattaca with whom he falls in love.
Anton Freeman (played by Loren Dean): Vincent’s older brother, a “valid” who has a difficult relationship with him.
Director Josef (played by Gore Vidal): The director of Gattaca Aerospace Corporation who discovers that Vincent is not a “valid” and threatens to fire him.
Detective Hugo (played by Alan Arkin): The detective investigating the murder of one of Vincent’s superiors at Gattaca.
Production
The film “Gattaca” was directed and written by Andrew Niccol, and was produced by Danny DeVito and Michael Shamberg. The production had a budget of approximately $36 million.
Filming for the film began in 1996 and was done primarily in California, including Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Marin County. The film’s production design was handled by Jan Roelfs, who created a dystopian vision of the future with a minimalistic and futuristic aesthetic.
The film score was composed by Michael Nyman and received much praise for its beauty and evocative atmosphere.
“Gattaca” was released theatrically in the United States on October 24, 1997 and was a modest box office success, grossing approximately $12.5 million. However, the film received positive reviews from critics and has gained a fan following over the years, becoming a classic of dystopian science fiction.
Distribution and Reception
‘Gattaca’ was released in theaters across the United States on October 24, 1997. The film grossed approximately $12.5 million at the box office, which was considered a modest accomplishment.
However, the film received great acclaim from film critics, who praised its screenplay, direction and the performances of the actors. In particular, Jude Law was praised for his portrayal of Jerome Eugene Morrow.
The film won several awards, including the Jury Prize at the Sitges Film Festival in 1997 and the Audience Award at the Stockholm International Film Festival in 1998.
In the following years, “Gattaca” has become a cult film in the science fiction and dystopia community, thanks to its futuristic vision and its reflection on the subject of genetics and discrimination. The film has also been used as a point of reference for many ethical discussions on genetic manipulation and human rights.
Today, “Gattaca” is regarded as one of the most important films in the dystopian science fiction genre and continues to be enjoyed by critics and viewers around the world.
Style
The style of “Gattaca” is known for its minimalist and futuristic aesthetics, which creates an atmosphere of sophisticated and melancholic dystopia. The film was shot with elegant and cold cinematography, reflecting the perfectly organized and technologically advanced world in which the story takes place.
Michael Nyman’s score is another hallmark of the film’s style. The music consists mainly of violins and other stringed instruments, which create an atmosphere of tension and mystery. Additionally, the film’s soundtrack was created using a technique called “music over pictures,” in which music was composed to fit the film’s visuals and emphasize their emotional effect.
The film also has a strong sense of design and imagination, with costumes and sets that reflect the idea of a perfectly organized, genetically controlled society. In addition, the film uses special effects technology to create a futuristic view of the world, including the use of image effects to represent DNA analysis and making spaceship-style flight scenes.
Overall, “Gattaca” stands out for its elegant and sophisticated style, which creates a dystopian and futuristic vision of a genetically controlled society.
Director
The director of “Gattaca” is Andrew Niccol, a New Zealand director and screenwriter known for his passion for science fiction and dystopian stories. Niccol began his career as a screenwriter, writing the screenplay for the 1998 film ‘The Truman Show’ which earned him an Academy Award nomination.
“Gattaca” was the first film directed and written entirely by Niccol. The director said he drew inspiration for the film’s story from his concerns about genetic manipulation and the ethical implications it could have on society.
Niccol used the film to explore issues such as discrimination, self-identity and the value of individuality, creating a dystopian vision of a society where genetics is the key to success and happiness.
The director also paid close attention to creating an atmosphere of sophisticated and melancholic dystopia, using minimalist and futuristic aesthetics to create an image of the genetically controlled world in which the story takes place.
In summary, Andrew Niccol is a director and screenwriter known for his passion for science fiction and dystopian stories. He directed and wrote “Gattaca”, using film to explore important ethical and social issues, and creating a sophisticated and melancholic image of a genetically controlled society.