AmateurMovieReviews.com

By Simon Woodhouse

Science fiction movies often seem to be the domain of beautiful people. The heroes are square-jawed and muscle bound, the heroines voluptuous and pouting. Only the bad guys are ugly, a simple characterization ploy that seems to come straight from the Disney school of film making. Not only does beauty often equal goodness, it usually means intelligence as well. In sci-fi films, ugly people are either bad, or stupid, or both.

A similar form of stereotyping can be found in Gattaca, but for once it suits the story, and may even have been intentional on the part of the movie makers. While the film certainly features plenty of beautiful people (Uma Thurma, Ethan Hawke and Jude Law), it also delves into a subject very, very rarely seen in Hollywood movies - physical disability.

In the world of Gattaca, people are divided into two types - 'Valids' and 'In-valids'. Valids are genetically pure, designer people who have been fashioned in test tubes. As part of the process, their parents get to choose everything about them, right down to the color of their eyes. In-valids are people created by a bout of good old fashioned rumpy-pumpy. However, this means they're susceptible to the sorts of genetic defects that can have far reaching consequences. Any potential problem can be detected at the moment of birth, thus allowing the powers at be to map out an in-valids whole future.

Vincent (Ethan Hawke) is an in-valid, which despite his high IQ means he's destined for a life of mopping floors and emptying trash. He doesn't want that, and so embarks on a scheme to get what he does want - a chance to be part of a mission to Titan.

When we first meet Vincent it seems as though he's already achieved his goal. But then the story leapfrogs backward, and via a voice over provided by the main character himself, the back-story is established. Not only does this help to explain what might have otherwise been a complicated premise, it also introduces an interesting sub-plot. Vincent has a brother, a valid who his father adores. Anton, conceived in a test tube, is taller, stronger and healthier than Vincent. Sibling rivalry explains a lot about Vincent's drive to better himself.

Now the back-story is out the way, the film moves forward, and we learn exactly how Vincent plans to realize his dream. In the world of Gattaca, genes are currency, and identities are traded on the black market. Vincent links up with a shady member of the underworld, who in turn introduces him to Jerome (Jude Law). Jerome is an exceptional valid, but thanks to a car accident is now confined to a wheelchair, and therefore has lost his god-like status. However, the powers at be don't know about the accident, and so Jerome is still on the valid list. Vincent buys the other man's identity, and thus moves one step closer to making it onto a ship bound for Titan.

Though its message is never delivered in an 'in your face' way, the movie makes all sorts of comments about how society looks down on disabled people. When Vincent is first introduced to Jerome, their bargain is portrayed as a way for Jerome's identity to once again be seen as a productive member of society. Jerome's wheelchair, and the use of terms like valid and in-valid, further reinforce the idea of how society only wants to see what is perfect. Anything blighted or damaged must be hidden from view.

With Jerome's help, Vincent secures a place on a mission organized by the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation. In the weeks leading up to the launch, he helps modify the flight plan. Whilst working on this, he meets Irene (Uma Thurman), another Gattaca employee. He starts to fall for her, but it's a risky affair. Can he trust her to keep his secret? All's going well until his mission director is murdered, and the police start snooping around the Gattaca offices. From here on the tension steps up a notch. Though neither Vincent nor Jerome are completely sympathetic characters, it's hard not to feel drawn in by what they're doing. By the time the finale rolls around, you'll be rooting for them.

Filmed in an almost noir style (though it's not black and white), the movie features simple, elegant settings, and stylishly dressed players. A heavy use of shadow gives it a foreboding air, something that feels more and more ominous as the end draws nearer. When the final scenes do pass by, they bring a bittersweet ending. But that doesn't feel at all out of place.

The three principle leads all distinguish themselves, but it's Jude Law who gets the gold medal. His portrayal of the hopelessly vain Jerome, a man pretending to be dealing with his disability, whilst at the same time slipping further into alcoholism, is brilliant. Uma Thurman (always elegant), fits the character she's playing perfectly. Ethan Hawke probably gives the best performance of his career, and if it hadn't been for Jude Law, he would have stolen the show.

Focusing more on dialogue than action, the movie won't be to everyone's taste. It's a character piece, and features none of the usual sci fi trappings (laser guns, space ships, funny little aliens). But if you like your movies to provide a thought provoking scenario, and a bittersweet ending, you'll certainly be drawn in by the world of Gattaca.