This superb but little known film has one of the most loyal fan-bases ever. The Soundtrack/Score, Cinematography, Writing, Cast and performances are all superb! “…I never saved anything for the swim back!” One of the most powerfully impactful lines ever put to film in my opinion.❤
Seriously keep going to indie movies in theaters. Just saw Strange Darling and damn what a cinematic ride. Gattaca was a sublime piece of timeless sci-fi like 2001 & will last as long as humans do.
Love that last conversation with Lamar. Indicated Lamar knew all along. Said his son was a big fan of "yours" ( a fan of Vincent not Jerome) meaning he told his son all about the "invalid" that broke the barriers. Lamar calls him Vincent addressing him as he truly is (the invalid that broke the barriers and earned his flight). Watching him walking away Lamar is seeing not just Vincent but also the potential of what his "invalid" son could become.
Interesting supporting cast in this film. The head of the cleaning team is the 1955 Academy Award best actor winner, Ernest Borgnine. He won in 1955 for an excellent performancr in the film Marty. He went on to have a fantastic acting career and lived into his 90s passing just a few years ago. The project director, and the murderer, is played by a non actor Gore Vidal, who was a famous American novelist and did some screen writing. If you were conscious of American politics and culture from the 1950s to the 1990s Gore Vidal is instantly recognizable.
In the deleted scenes, the head of the cleaning crew approaches Jerome in the locker room, and calls him Vincent. I think he says something like, "we're depending on you to not make us look bad."
An overlooked part of the story is how much Vincent benefits from a lifetime of being underestimated. The "Valid" world is full of ironic mediocrity and externalized identity, because it was created according to the fears and assumptions of the past. Had he been Valid, he probably wouldn't be as impressive or driven. It's a funny thought, but Gattaca is kind of a super-deep version of a sports movie like Rocky. The scene with the doctor at the end is a brilliant inclusion of hope. Shows that what Vincent and Jerome have been doing isn't a purely vain or selfish exercise, and that the injustices of their society are already being fought by others.
A very thoughtful reaction to one of my favourite films. I agree with all your observations: A profound storyline, great characters and acting, wonderful cinematography, and a fantastic score. A masterwork of cinema, which is shockingly underrated and underappreciated. An incredible, thought-provoking and frightening story. As far as the smoking goes, I assume they've eliminated the cancer-causing gene etc., so there is no risk from smoking. Of course, Vincent is still at risk, but he has to play the game. It's also interesting that Vincent and Jerome clearly have fallen in love with each other, too. How could they not? Of course, I assume it's a Platonic love, but love nonetheless.
The DNA spiral staircase. The names: Vincent ("victor") Freeman ... Irene ("peace") Cassini (astronomer who discovered moons of Saturn) ... Jerome Eugene ("good birth"; see "eugenics") Morrow ("tomorrow"). Andrew Niccol does things with names in The Truman Show, too.
Screen the 1930s version of :"She".. RKO... Randolph Scott, Nigel Bruce...the special effects are mind blowing!!! A man travels to a secret kingdom that exists beyond the ice in the Arctic ruled by a seemingly immortal cruel woman .."She who must be obeyed"... There's a colorized version which actually makes the images easier to see ..early Ray Harryhausen work is awesome
About the smoking: Maybe they removed the cancer genes in people that tobacco normally targets. (Or on the opposite end, changed tobacco genes to render it harmless to human health.) About the spiral staircase scene: Anyone else see a parallel between this and Orson Welles dragging himself up the spiral stairs in the sewer in "The Third Man"?
Look up "gattaca coda" for the unused bit at the end where it lists people that wouldn't have been born in this world. The head janitor (oscar winner Ernest Borgnine) _did_ know Vincent was Vincent...which is only clarified in the deleted scenes. They're good, but makes sense that they were cut.
The whole purpose of science fiction is to explore possible futures. In this case, what are the benefits we might receive from genetic engineering, but what are the social and personal costs that might also accrue. History (and economics) teaches that whenever you gain something, you will always give something else up to get that. Or put another way, be careful what you wish for, you might get it.
I saw this movie on TV more than 20 years ago and think it is a great story about the ability of the human spirit to overcome obstacles. However, because of its similarity to real-world trends, I found it too depressing to ever see it again or even watch any reactions. Since I greatly respect and enjoy your channel, I watched your reaction, and you lived up to my expectations with cogent comments that make me want to revisit this film.
Loved this movie and glad you reacted to it. My only gripe is the ending. I think Jude Law's character would have better served a message if he learned that despite his "inferior" abilities, he could still over come it with a desire to do so as Ethan Hawke did for the entire film. He could have been inspired by Ethan Hawke's character as we all were. Instead, he continued to give up on life and just ended it in such a downer. Would have been an excellent learning experience for the audience as well and we would have walked out uplifted for sure.
This superb but little known film has one of the most loyal fan-bases ever.
The Soundtrack/Score, Cinematography, Writing, Cast and performances are all superb!
“…I never saved anything for the swim back!” One of the most powerfully impactful lines ever put to film in my opinion.❤
Back in the late 90s when I saw this, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Just complete immersion.
Those were the days.
Seriously keep going to indie movies in theaters. Just saw Strange Darling and damn what a cinematic ride. Gattaca was a sublime piece of timeless sci-fi like 2001 & will last as long as humans do.
Love that last conversation with Lamar. Indicated Lamar knew all along. Said his son was a big fan of "yours" ( a fan of Vincent not Jerome) meaning he told his son all about the "invalid" that broke the barriers. Lamar calls him Vincent addressing him as he truly is (the invalid that broke the barriers and earned his flight). Watching him walking away Lamar is seeing not just Vincent but also the potential of what his "invalid" son could become.
I think youre right. Same with Borgnine
Interesting supporting cast in this film. The head of the cleaning team is the 1955 Academy Award best actor winner, Ernest Borgnine. He won in 1955 for an excellent performancr in the film Marty. He went on to have a fantastic acting career and lived into his 90s passing just a few years ago.
The project director, and the murderer, is played by a non actor Gore Vidal, who was a famous American novelist and did some screen writing. If you were conscious of American politics and culture from the 1950s to the 1990s Gore Vidal is instantly recognizable.
I'll love seeing Ernest in stuff,
I'm glad you like him as well. 😊
Rest in peace Ernest, we will love your films for years and years
This is one of the few soundtracks that I actually bought. I listen to it often.
In the deleted scenes, the head of the cleaning crew approaches Jerome in the locker room, and calls him Vincent. I think he says something like, "we're depending on you to not make us look bad."
Wow, good to know!
Probably my all time favorite movie
The cars featured are 1963 Studebaker Avanti, 1967 Citroen cabriolet, and a 70s British Rover
An overlooked part of the story is how much Vincent benefits from a lifetime of being underestimated. The "Valid" world is full of ironic mediocrity and externalized identity, because it was created according to the fears and assumptions of the past. Had he been Valid, he probably wouldn't be as impressive or driven. It's a funny thought, but Gattaca is kind of a super-deep version of a sports movie like Rocky.
The scene with the doctor at the end is a brilliant inclusion of hope. Shows that what Vincent and Jerome have been doing isn't a purely vain or selfish exercise, and that the injustices of their society are already being fought by others.
A very thoughtful reaction to one of my favourite films. I agree with all your observations: A profound storyline, great characters and acting, wonderful cinematography, and a fantastic score. A masterwork of cinema, which is shockingly underrated and underappreciated. An incredible, thought-provoking and frightening story. As far as the smoking goes, I assume they've eliminated the cancer-causing gene etc., so there is no risk from smoking. Of course, Vincent is still at risk, but he has to play the game. It's also interesting that Vincent and Jerome clearly have fallen in love with each other, too. How could they not? Of course, I assume it's a Platonic love, but love nonetheless.
The DNA spiral staircase.
The names: Vincent ("victor") Freeman ... Irene ("peace") Cassini (astronomer who discovered moons of Saturn) ... Jerome Eugene ("good birth"; see "eugenics") Morrow ("tomorrow"). Andrew Niccol does things with names in The Truman Show, too.
And Jerome is from “Genome”
Screen the 1930s version of :"She".. RKO... Randolph Scott, Nigel Bruce...the special effects are mind blowing!!! A man travels to a secret kingdom that exists beyond the ice in the Arctic ruled by a seemingly immortal cruel woman .."She who must be obeyed"... There's a colorized version which actually makes the images easier to see ..early Ray Harryhausen work is awesome
I believe you'll like Equilibrium (2002). More violent, but has the pristine dystopian atmosphere.
I do like it! Unfortunately I've seen it already.
About the smoking:
Maybe they removed the cancer genes in people that tobacco normally targets. (Or on the opposite end, changed tobacco genes to render it harmless to human health.)
About the spiral staircase scene:
Anyone else see a parallel between this and Orson Welles dragging himself up the spiral stairs in the sewer in "The Third Man"?
Good catch! On both fronts!
You can be genetically superior, but if you never are challenged, never have to fight for your dreams..., you don't devellop willpower.
Agreed!
My favorite movie.
Look up "gattaca coda" for the unused bit at the end where it lists people that wouldn't have been born in this world.
The head janitor (oscar winner Ernest Borgnine) _did_ know Vincent was Vincent...which is only clarified in the deleted scenes. They're good, but makes sense that they were cut.
Thanks for the info!
The whole purpose of science fiction is to explore possible futures. In this case, what are the benefits we might receive from genetic engineering, but what are the social and personal costs that might also accrue. History (and economics) teaches that whenever you gain something, you will always give something else up to get that. Or put another way, be careful what you wish for, you might get it.
What a great video, I loved this movie and I'm glad you liked it to.
Subbed and looking forward to watching more videos like this.
I saw this movie on TV more than 20 years ago and think it is a great story about the ability of the human spirit to overcome obstacles. However, because of its similarity to real-world trends, I found it too depressing to ever see it again or even watch any reactions. Since I greatly respect and enjoy your channel, I watched your reaction, and you lived up to my expectations with cogent comments that make me want to revisit this film.
Thank you for this reaction. Great movie.
I miss the late 90's.
Good film
If you want another SF movie with a moral angle, try "Ender Game"
Loved this movie and glad you reacted to it. My only gripe is the ending. I think Jude Law's character would have better served a message if he learned that despite his "inferior" abilities, he could still over come it with a desire to do so as Ethan Hawke did for the entire film. He could have been inspired by Ethan Hawke's character as we all were. Instead, he continued to give up on life and just ended it in such a downer. Would have been an excellent learning experience for the audience as well and we would have walked out uplifted for sure.
You have a point.
"The Thirteenth Floor" is a great film...but was released at the same time as :"The Matrix"... Give it a look