There is no gene for the human spirit.|Sep. 07, 1997|United States|106 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Mystery;Romance;Science;Fiction;Thriller
Description: In the not-too-distant future, eugenics has become a widespread practice. A genetic registry database uses biometrics to categorize individuals created through genetic engineering as “valids,” while those conceived naturally, who are more prone to genetic disorders, are labeled as “in-valids.” Although genetic discrimination is officially illegal, genotype profiling is commonly used to determine professional opportunities, with valids being favored for high-status jobs and in-valids relegated to menial tasks.
Vincent Freeman was born naturally, and his genetic profile indicates a high likelihood of several disorders and a projected lifespan of only 30.2 years. Regretting their choice, his parents opt for genetic selection when conceiving their second child, Anton Jr. As children, the two brothers often compete in a game of “chicken,” swimming as far out to sea as possible, with the first to turn back being the loser. Vincent always loses. However, Vincent dreams of a career in space travel despite constant reminders of his genetic inferiority. One day, Vincent challenges Anton to the game and wins, only to save his brother when Anton begins to drown. Shortly after this incident, Vincent leaves home.
Years later, Vincent works as an in-valid, cleaning offices, including those at the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation, a spaceflight conglomerate. He gets an opportunity to pose as a valid by using genetic materials—hair, skin, blood, and urine—donated by Jerome Eugene Morrow, a former swimming star who was paralyzed after a car accident. Using Jerome’s genetic identity, Vincent secures a position at Gattaca and is assigned as a navigator for an upcoming mission to Titan, Saturn’s moon. To maintain his disguise, Vincent must meticulously groom himself daily to eliminate his own genetic traces, pass regular DNA scans and urine tests using Jerome’s samples, and conceal his heart condition. When a Gattaca administrator is murdered a week before the scheduled launch, an investigation begins after the police find an eyelash from an “unregistered” in-valid near the crime scene. Vincent’s secret is now at risk of being exposed.
Cast director: Andrew Niccol
Cast actor: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Alan Arkin, Loren Dean, Gore Vidal, Tony Shalhoub, Ernest Borgnine, Blair Underwood, Xander Berkeley
Original name: Gattaca