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Gattaca
1997
In the 21st century, genetic engineering makes possible the creation of biologically superior human specimens ("valids"), who then grow to positions of power and prestige. Would-be astronaut Vincent(Ethan Hawke) born the old-fashioned way, can only hope for a janitorial position at the elite Gattaca Corporation--until he buys .. Read more
| Starring | Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Alan Arkin |
|---|---|
| Director | Andrew Niccol |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
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Gattaca
In the 21st century, genetic engineering makes possible the creation of biologically superior human specimens ("valids"), who then grow to positions of power and prestige. Would-be astronaut Vincent(Ethan Hawke) born the old-fashioned way, can only hope for a janitorial position at the elite Gattaca Corporation--until he buys the blood, urine, and identity of a perfect but paralyzed athlete. But a murder in the company's ranks attracts the attention of a detective who threatens to sniff Vincent out. A slick futuristic thriller. Academy Award Nominations--Best Art Direction.
| Starring | Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Alan Arkin, Loren Dean, Ernest Borgnine, Elias Koteas, Gore Vidal, Blair Underwood, Elizabeth Dennehy, Dean Norris, Xander Berkeley, Mason Gamble, Tony Shalhoub, Lindsey Lee Ginter, William Lee Scott, Ca |
|---|---|
| Director | Andrew Niccol |
| Studio | UCA |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 42 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
| Language | English |
| Dubbed | German |
| Subtitles | Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, Turkish |
| Released | DVD: 16 Feb 1999 Production year: 1997 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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Before screenplay writer Andrew Niccol stood the science-fiction genre on its head with The Truman Show, he had already shaken it up with this engrossing futuristic thriller (which he also directed), built around the controversial subject of genetic engineering and how it might lead to a socio-economic class divide. Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) is the imperfect human with ambitions of joining a space mission, who illegally exchanges identities with Jerome (Jude Law), a paraplegic with perfect DNA. How he does this armed with blood and urine samples is ingeniously shown by Niccol, who mints a new genre vocabulary with his absorbing, intelligent and suspenseful story. In Niccol's future society a dustbuster is deadlier than a gun and wearing contact lenses means the choice between life or death. This thought-provoking cautionary tale is stunningly designed and has accomplished performances from Hawke, Law and Uma Thurman that do it full justice
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In the future, geneticists will design test-tube babies to be disease-free. Physical perfection will become the norm,... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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22 out of 27 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Very convincing!
Great subject matter and there's a twist or two in this cautionary tale.
Not overly into Sci-Fi but this one's cool. Good cast, acting and direction holds your attention. The three leads; Hawke, Thurman and Law are excellent.
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- younglochinvar from Prestatyn
- Posted 22 Sep 2007 17:10
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Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
A Little Masterpiece
In the future social status is governed by genetic make up, where the elite are those with all physical and psychological faults, defects and imperfections removed pre-insemination. Amidst this society, one man attempts to achieve his dream, even though he was born naturally and has a genetic disposition towards heart disease.
Bewilderingly overlooked at first release, Niccol's film is a wonderful blend of script, design, cinematography, score and performance. All credit to Sarah Knowles and Jan Roelfs for creating such a stark, clinical yet incredibly stylish environment - the use of iconic 20th century automotive designs (Rover 2000, Citroen DS, Studebaker Avanti) as Gattaca's vehicles is a masterstroke. Niccol's achieves just the right level from each of his actors - amidst so many horrible career performances, Law is brilliant here (as he was in Entertaining Mr. Ripley), whilst Hawke creates a compelled and compelling hero. Finally Michael Nyman's score weaves itself through the plot beautifully, at once both gripping and deeply moving.
Hugely recommended both as a stylish and subtle piece of sci-fi and as a dramatic, cleverly constructed thriller. -
News and features
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Hawke to star in, direct and write new movie
- 10 Feb 2006
Renaissance man Ethan Hawke is to direct a film starring himself, written by himself and based on his own novel. The Hottest State will not be the Gattaca and Training Day star's debut behind the camera, after directing Chelsea Walls, which featured Uma Thurman, Natasha Richardson and Kris Kristofferson. Lining up in front of the camera alongside Hawke in the new movie will be Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria Full of Grace), Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain) and Laura Linney (Mystic River).... Read more
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Gattaca
In the 21st century, genetic engineering makes possible the creation of biologically superior human specimens ("valids"), who then grow to positions of power and prestige. Would-be astronaut Vincent(Ethan Hawke) born the old-fashioned way, can only hope for a janitorial position at the elite ...
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