Genetics could one day lead to separate races of humans, by selecting preferable genes at point of egg fertilization. It is an interesting concept and the over-riding theme of the movie Gattaca, starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman and Jude Law.
This sci-fi thriller will suck you in with its story, not offend you with acting performances and provoke you to at least consider the issues raised by defying natural selection. It does all this without being preachy (a familiar trap for movies of this type) and without too much over dramatization.
The relationships between Ethan Hawke's character and Uma Thurman's and Jude Law's provide an interesting contrast throughout the story line. One character (Law) whose pre-destined greatness is derailed by a car accident, and another character (Thurman) who overcomes her perceived genetic shortcomings, in order to become what Hawke wants to be.
The movie flows well, and looks great. And it doesn't over-do the futuristic side of the movie. It takes place in the future, but it wasn't over the top with a bunch of technologies that we couldn't possible conceive. It takes a more modest approach, with more subtle futuristic elements which adds to the believability of the movie.
Article comments
1 - Eric Berlin
Yeah, for futuristic sci-fi it's a surprisingly quiet, character-driven film. I think this is a good film, but doesn't have enough driving it to push it much past that.
I do remember thinking while watching it that the guy in the wheel chair is a damned good actor. Mr. Law did pretty well for himself. And I always enjoy watching both Hawk and Thurman work.
2 - Phillip Winn
I love this movie. I am impressed that the science-fiction future elements are represented minimally -- odd sounds when cars drive, the occasional ricket shot into space, and that's about it. The characters are simply fantastic, and very well acted.
3 - Nick Jones
I haven't seen the film, but I know that my favorite essayist, Gore Vidal, plays a role in the film. What character does he play?
4 - FilteringCraig
Gattaca (1997) .... Vidal plays Director Josef.
5 - Nick Jones
Thanks, I'll have to rent it sometime.:)
6 - Phillip Winn
Vidal plays the director of the entire complex, a man determined to ensure the program continues. It's not a huge role, but it's pretty sizable.
7 - -E
This is the film that made my fantasies with Jude Law. I think I've pretty much seen all his films after I saw this one...
But I thought it was good. Enjoyable.
8 - FilteringCraig
Phillip, if I could have one complaint about the storyline of this movie (and it is definitely nit-picking at this level) it is that the director's storyline wasn't very well realized. It kind of happened all of a sudden. I am sure cuts were made so that they could just keep focusing on the trio of Hawke, Thurman and Law.
9 - DrPat
This is one of the few sci-fi thrillers I watch over and over. Even when you know the ending of the film, the story is so powerful, it carries you along.
I had seen Jude Law before in TV roles and bit parts. (He played a storm trooper in Bent that stands out in my memory.) Law steals the focus every time he's onscreen in Gattaca.
10 - FilteringCraig
Yeah, and in case you didn't know, Jude Law is one of the world's finest actors. Just ask Sean Penn.
11 - Thomas M. Sipos
It's one of the few "true" sciene fictions films ever made. There really aren't all that many science fiction films, if you define sci-fi properly; i.e. "a story with a problem or solution that could not exist without a plausible, but as yet unrealized, advance in technology."
That's not my definition, but I forget the author who coined it.
Merely setting a story in the future is not sci-fi. STAR TREK is mainly a soap opera/advanture show. MEN IN BLACK is a comedy. INDEPENDENCE DAY is action adventure.
True SCIENCE fiction has to be true to the science, otherwise it's just a bunch of actors wearing head bumps.