Designer Genes

Designer Genes

Yuven Govender

Genetics, what could it mean? It could mean the ability to perfect the physical and mental characteristics of every unborn child. Picture it, a world in which you have no natural defects, where you can swim for hours without the fear of drowning, be the most beautiful person you could be, simply be superior in every single way to those who were naturally conceived. This is the world in which Andrew Nicol’s Gattacan world is set, where segregation is based not on any outward appearance, but rather on what’s underneath your skin, your genetic code to be exact, and the genetically superior are literally among the stars.

Gattaca is, in my humble opinion, one of the most engaging science fiction films I’ve ever watched. The plot twists are perfectly timed, the acting is astounding, and the cinematography is nothing short of scintillating. The story revolves around Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawk), a genetically inferior man who is burdened with a genetically superior brother, Anton (Loren Dean).  With a childhood desire to be part of Gattaca’s space programme to one of Jupiter’s moons, and the suffering he endured living with a genetically superior brother, Vincent developed an unquenchable desire to better himself. However, he simply cannot accomplish it with his own sweat and most importantly, his own blood. In comes the DNA broker.

As is always the case in science-fiction movies, there is an alley way with a fortuitous back door. Although highly illegal, the DNA broker offers Vincent a way to actualise his dream of becoming a member of the space team through a genetic donor, Jerome Morrow (Jude Law)

Jerome Morrow has the genetic markers which would make Hercules envious. He makes the perfect candidate for a donor to Vincent. Jerome provides Vincent with blood and urine in order to assist him in beating Gattaca’s DNA security systems. With Jerome’s DNA substitutes, Vincent becomes the top candidate for the space programme. However, with the murder of a mission director and an eyelash left at the scene of the crime unwittingly, Vincent becomes the centre of attention of a murder investigation.

Through superior intellect and a hunger for success, the investigators find it hard to pin anything to Vincent and the struggle between Vincent and the investigator provides for the tension-anchor in the film.

Ethan Hawke is a good choice for the lead, combining the restless dreams of a “Godchild” with the plausible exterior of a lab baby. The best scenes involve his relationship with the real Jerome, played by Jude Law as smart, bitter, and delighted to be sticking it to the system that has grounded him. (He may be paralyzed from the waist down, but after all, as the movie observes, you don't need to walk in space.) His drama parallels Vincent's, because if either one is caught they'll both go down together.

I hold this movie in such high regard simply because science fiction in the movies has recently specialized in alien invasions, but Gattaca deals with ideas. At a time when we read about cloned sheep and tomatoes crossed with fish, the science in “Gattaca” is theoretically possible. When parents can order “perfect” babies, will they? Would you take your chances on a throw of the genetic dice, or order up the make and model you wanted? How many people are prepared to buy a car at random from the universe of all available cars? That's how many, I suspect, would opt to have natural children.

Everybody will live longer, look better and be healthier in the Gattacan world. But will it be as much fun? Will parents order children who are rebellious, ungainly, eccentric, creative, or a lot smarter than their parents are? There's a concert pianist in “Gattaca” who has 12 fingers. Don't you sometimes have the feeling you were born just in time?

Ultimately, the movie turns and twists with surgeon like precision, as it the movie itself was genetically engineered to be the best movie of its kind.

I would give this a strong 8 out of 10 and would definitely recommend it to anyone who appreciates good film making.