SNMR 2.26: "Gattaca"

Tonight's SNMR feature is "Gattaca" (1997, PG-13, 106 minutes), starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Alan Arkin, Jude Law, Gore Vidal and Loren Dean. The film was written and directed by Andrew Niccol.

The first time I saw this movie was after it came out on DVD for the first time. I've watched it several times since and just bought it recently because I like good science fiction stories and this is no exception.

From the DVD'd dust case:

Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Alan Arkin and Jude Law star in this engrossing sci-fi thriller about an all-too-human man who dares to defy a system obsessed with genetic perfection. Hawke stars as Vincent, an "In-Valid", who assumes the identity of a member of the genetic elite to pursue his goal of traveling into space with the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation. However, a week before his mission, a murder marks Vincent as a suspect. With a relentless investigator in pursuit and the colleague he has fallen in love with beginning to suspect his deception, Vincent's dreams steadily unravel.

From Martin & Porter's DVD & Video Guide 2007, p. 431:

Fascinating fable about a frightening future where the citizens are genetically engineered to be perfect. Into this world comes Vincent, an In-valid, one bred through conventional means. To fulfil his dreams of space travel, Vincent assumes the identity of a genetically perfect worker. Vincent's ploy goes unnoticed until a murder disrupts the training facility where he works. Well made and executed.

This is a well conceived and smartly written story that should fascinate you from start to finish. Even though the plot is predictable in some areas, it is a thought provoking film on many levels. The movie's pacing is crisp and the cast is excellent, including then relatively unknown Jude Law's breakout performance. I highly recommend this film, which you can buy these days for under $9. I'll give this film five out of five stars.