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Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, Jude Law, Gore Vidal, Alan Arkin ... see more see more... , Loren Dean , Jayne Brook , Elias Koteas , Chad Christ , William Lee Scott , Tony Shalhoub , Ernest Borgnine , Xander Berkeley , Gabrielle Reece , Blair Underwood

New Zealand screenwriter Andrew Niccol (The Truman Show) made his feature directorial debut with this science fiction drama, set in a future when one's life is determined by genetic engineering rather... read more read more... than education or experience. The wealthy can choose the genetic makeup of their descendants. People are designed to fit into whatever role is decided before birth. But what happens when someone desires another way of life? Citizens in this impersonal future-world are fashioned as perfect specimens, so those in the natural-born minority are viewed as inferior to the pre-planned perfect specimens (aka "Valids") who dominate. One of the natural-borns (aka "In-Valids"), Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), has several defects (poor vision, emotional problems, and short 30-year life expectancy), but he also develops a different outlook on his pre-ordained fate. He yearns to break free from society's constraints, and he dreams of a journey into space as a Gattaca Corp. navigator. To accomplish his goal, he enlists the aid of DNA broker German (Tony Shalhoub) and makes contact with Jerome Morrow (Jude Law), who was paralyzed in an accident and is willing to sell his superior genetic materials. Vincent assumes Jerome's identity and is scheduled for a flying mission. However, a week before his flight, a Gattaca mission director is murdered, and all members of the program are the suspects. Meanwhile, he develops a romantic interest in a beautiful Valid, Irene (Uma Thurman), prevented from going into space because of her heart defect. Tracked by a relentless investigator who is methodically jigsawing all the pieces together, Jerome finds his aspirations dissolving into stardust. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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82% liked it

176,944 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

55 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 46 min.

Directed by: Andrew Niccol, Alan Arkin, Anfrew Niccol, Ernest Borgnine, Ethan Hawke, Gore Vidal, Jude Law, Tony Shalhoub, Uma Thurman

Release Date: October 24, 1997

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DVD Release Date: May 5, 1998

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Stats: 9,493 reviews

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Gattaca Gattaca Uma Thurman in Gattaca Ethan and Uma Jerome and stairs Gattaca gattaca Gattaca Great shot! Gattaca Gattaca Gattaca GATTACA Jerome Vincent and his mom ID Jerome(Vincent) at work Gattaca
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Flixster Reviews (9,493)

  • jmanard52
    June 6, 2008
    jmanard52
    An amzing sci fi classic. Hawke and Thurman shine. The whole idea of gene manipulation in the future is such a scary storyline.
  • pingsley
    April 10, 2012
    pingsley
    I'm a big fan of the subtext of the film - it compellingly illustrates how a tragic a society that employs eugenics would be. But, to boot, the story is well put together and features stunning cinematography. The performances by Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law, while a b... read moreit cold, fit well with the noir-ish style of the film. Not to mention the costume and set design is an unabashed homage to the modernist era that pre-dates Mad Men by over a decade.
  • garyX
    November 15, 2011
    garyX
    In a future society where a person's worth is judged by their designer genes, a would-be astronaut forms an illegal partnership with a crippled Olympic athlete to cheat the system but they are threatened with exposure when the mission director is murdered. Gattaca is one of those... read more thoughtful, concept sci-fis that trades special effects and action sequences for ideas and a commentary on the human condition. Gattaca is set in a world where our status is defined by the quality of our genes and explores the idea postulating that a person's dreams and ambitions can make us more than the physical shells we inhabit. Its elegant visuals reflect the society of perfection it represents and the fine performances by Hawke and Jude Law make for a moving and engaging story of a symbiotic relationship between an individual society has shunned and its arrogant, embittered "elite", who finds different pressures in his need to be seen as flawless. Add a beautiful score and an intelligent, thought provoking script and you have the kind of science fiction I wish there was more of.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    August 21, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Gattaca is a very interesting Sci Fi drama. This is an underrated film with a compelling premise. In a futuresque dystopian society, mankind is dedicated to having the perfect society. Using DNA testing people are tested and are tested to see if they'll grow up to be perfect. If ... read morethey're not, they are deemed "in-valid" and have no life opportunities. But if they're deemed perfect society, they are part of an elite group of men and women who have all the opportunities. Enter Vincent, an imperfect human, who is deemed an "in-valid". Vincent seeks to beat the system to realize his dream of traveling in space. With the help of a valid human, Vincent seeks out the achieve his goal. Gattaca is an incredible film with a wonderful cast of talented actors. The themes explored in this film can easily be seen as a metaphor for today's society. I thought that it was very close to home. This film can be very inspiring to people that have led a hard life in trying to accomplish their dreams. People can relate to the main character, and it's one of the strongest aspects of this film. Gattaca is a brilliant story, and though it's not perfect, there are a lot of great elements in this film to truly make it a memorable film to watch. Gattaca is a well crafted Sci Fi drama film that has a lot of human emotion to its story, and it adds so much to the overall film. A brilliantly directed first feature from Andrew Niccol.
  • fb100001493964409
    March 31, 2011
    fb100001493964409
    One of the few films to present us with a future that seems to be coming closer and closer everyday. Very thought provoking, not just on an issue of ethics, but how business and black markets play into the issues of science. Very well acted, very well done, what can I say. Highly... read more recommended.
  • ythelastman89
    January 7, 2010
    ythelastman89
    Modern science fiction the way it should be. What I've always loved about Gattaca is that its premise is so close to genetics now that it's kind of scary. The movie itself is extremely powerful and breathtaking, one man's will to defy science. Ethan Hawke and Jude Law were perfec... read moret and made their equally tragic lives something that you cared about. While it looks futuristic, it wasn't to the point of ridiculous sets that some depictions have had.
  • SirPant
    September 16, 2009
    SirPant
    Very stylish but the acting is as wooden as the beautifully carved set pieces! I?m being a bit harsh, it?s a very entertaining film.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    September 10, 2009
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "There Is No Gene For The Human Spirit."

    A genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.

    REVIEW

    In literature as well a... read mores cinema, science fiction is a genre that by and large has never held much allure for me. There are however some exceptions to this predisposition. "Gattaca" is one of them. It's thankfully free of the cliched earmarks often employed in a self aware, quasi parody fashion. In order for science fiction to work, one should become unaware of the genre and become engrossed in the action, which simply happens to take place in the future. This lends credibility to what is by definition, fantasy.

    Within the cold, austere and beautifully filmed sets, "Gattaca" possesses a core of emotion. The theme of striving towards achievement against adversity is one that will resonate with many. Ethan Hawke strikes the balance between confidence and vulnerability in an assured performance which must surely rate as one of his best. Uma Thurman's somewhat robotic statuesque presence and icy blonde veneer is used to great effect. The wheel chair bound Jude Law is, as ever a compelling actor to watch. As proven by his ingenious screenplay of "The Truman Show", writer and director Andrew Niccol possesses an exceptional creative talent. In "Gattaca" he gives expression to his vision with much assurance and flair.

    This is science fiction for all.
  • TomBowler
    July 31, 2009
    TomBowler
    very unique concept. even though it doesn't feel like it, it's an intense movie.
  • LitelBluHli
    June 13, 2009
    LitelBluHli
    I didn't think this was my type of film, but surprisingly I was into it. I LOVE LOVE the ending and the music was so beautiful, I almost cried. Very odd, but good movie.

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Critic Reviews

Lisa Alspector
June 5, 2007
Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader

I didn't care enough about Hawke's character to ignore a big problem in the story's logic: if this future has such incredible biotechnology, why can't Law just get his damaged body parts fixed? Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 5, 2006
Emanuel Levy, Variety

One of first Hollywood films about the effects of genetic engineering on human conduct, Andrew Niccol's directing debut is an intelligent and timely sci-fi that, despite some illogical plot contrivanc... Full Review

Rick Groen
April 12, 2002
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Designer babies rule dystopia in stylish SF thriller filled with recycled plot devices. Full Review

Jack Mathews
February 14, 2001
Jack Mathews, Los Angeles Times

It's far too serious to be taken seriously. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
Janet Maslin, New York Times

An impressively fine-tuned first feature from Andrew Niccol.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

At a time when we read about cloned sheep and tomatoes crossed with fish, the science in Gattaca is theoretically possible. Full Review

Susan Wloszczyna
January 1, 2000
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today

If smart sci-fi is your vial of tea, Gattaca won't disappoint.

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The hero's struggle in Gattaca would have been more compelling were he an average fellow going up against geniuses, and not a healthy fellow going up against somewhat healthier specimens. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Gattaca doesn't just function as a science fiction thriller, but as both a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting scientific ability outstrip ethics and as a morality play about the irrationalit... Full Review

Scott Rosenberg
January 1, 2000
Scott Rosenberg, Salon.com

When they sculpted the DNA for the perfect race in Gattaca, somebody left out the gene for self-knowledge. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Vincent Freeman: Of course, they say every atom in our bodies was once part of a star.
    • Vincent Freeman: For future reference, right-handed men don't hold it with their left.
    • Vincent Freeman: For someone who was never meant for this world, I must confess I'm suddenly having a hard time leaving it. Of course, they say every atom in our bodies was once part of a star. Maybe I'm not leaving... maybe I'm going home.
    • Jerome Morrow: I got the better end of the deal. I only lent you my body - you lent me your dream.
    • Vincent Freeman: You want to know how I did it? This is how I did it.
    • Young Anton: I never saved anything for the swim back.
    • Vincent Freeman: There's no gene for fate.
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  • Who starred in Alive, Reality Bites, and Gattaca?  Answer »
  • Which one of these movies star Jude Law, Ethan Hawke, and Uma Thurman?  Answer »
  • Who starred in the 1997 movie "Gattaca"?  Answer »
  • I starred in Gattaca, Explorers, and Dead Poets Society. Who am I?  Answer »
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