Gattaca Themes

Introduction:

Gattaca is a film directed by Andrew Niccol, ‘set in the near future’ (film was made in 1997) during an age where IVF, eugenics and genetic modification have become the natural way of conception and essential in furthering humans as a species. The plot is from the point of view of the main protagonist, Vincent Anton Freeman, and follows his struggle to overcome the odds in a society where “discrimination [is] down to a science”, as he takes up his new persona of valid human, ‘Jerome Eugene Murrow’. One prevalent theme throughout the film is the nature of being human, which consists of many underlying themes and many techniques are used to express these themes. The use of science to perfect humans as a species removes individuality

Another component of humanity is the socialization between individuals, which Niccol highlights using symbolism of various human interactions and the setting to emphasize the naturality of the interactions. Niccol explores the idea that dreams and ambitions is a component of what makes a person human, through the use of camera techniques, non-diegetic music and the characterization of Vincent and the contrast in characterization of Eugene. (223 words)

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Set in a world where science seeks to create perfect humans, in the process they remove individuality and de-humanize the people, Niccol utilizes the setting and highlights the flaws of all the main valid characters to epitomize that flaws play an important role in the nature of being human. When the Mission Director is found dead, a mid-shot reveals the workers crowded in one place with little variation in clothing or positioning representing that the so-called ‘perfect’ Valids lack any individual features and are all born into conformity.

Niccol uses long-over-the-shoulder camera shots of Vincent looking up into the sky at rockets leaving for Titan when he is working at Gattaca to showcase his ambition as he is metaphorically ‘reaching for the stars’. This humanizes Vincent making his character more relatable to the audience and allows them to feel empathetic towards him as having ambition is a human ideal. Subsequently, Niccol utilizes close-up facial shots and unfixed camera movements while Vincent is swimming against Anton for the time. The close-up shots of Vincent’s face highlight his struggle as the audience can see the pain and tiredness on his face, causing them to empathize with him. Continuing with this the camera is unfixed, therefore it is positioned to be follow the chaos of the waves and ocean. This positions the audience to experience the same chaos and struggle, Vincent must power through, making them feel as if they will also drown if they do not swim, furthermore making the audience empathize with his character. The non-diegetic sounds of orchestral music using crescendo and layering the texture, builds the tension further and emphasizes Vincent’s struggle and his determination to overcome the obstacles he must face. This causes the audience to experience tension and empathize with his plight.