Gattaca

Writer/director Andrew Niccol's debut tackles the soon-to-be controversial topic of "genoism"--or, discrimination based on an individual's genetic make-up. Ethan Hawke stars as Vincent, a modern Rocky-like genetic underdog (officially termed an "In-Valid") who is not allowed--as the song goes--to play in any society games, because he's a loser (baby) in the gene lottery--pegged to pop his heartstrings long before he reaches his centennial birthday. Unwilling to accept his lot in life as a (heart) failure, however, Vincent hooks up with a DNA bloodbrother of impeccable stock (Jude Law) and creates an elaborate ruse in order to pursue his boyhood dream of becoming an astronaut. Using a "borrowed ladder" (the film's clever phrase for engaging in genetic hoodwinking, by "borrowing" someone else's bodily fluids), Vincent works his way up the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation hierarchy until he's slated to actually fly a mission. Unfortunately, a most inconvenient murder takes place bringing a level of scrutiny to Gattaca that even the resourceful Vincent finds difficult to elude. Now, I'll be the first to admit that Gattaca loses propulsion as it moves along--the murder plot seems hackneyed, the duel between Vincent and his genetically well-endowed brother is melodramatic, and the love story with the queen of the blank looks, Uma Thurman, is lame. At its core, however, the film is a fresh, intelligent update on the Orwellian battle between the individual spirit and a (here, subtly) oppressive system that is literally just around the corner (and if you're not convinced, check out Jeremy Rifkin's new book The Biotech Century). And, double bonus points for that moody, eloquently heartbreaking Michael Nyman soundtrack. Recommended. (R. Pitman)[DVD/Blu-ray Review— Apr. 15, 2008—Sony, 106 min., PG-13, DVD: $19.95, Blu-ray: $28.95—Making its third appearance on DVD and first appearance on Blu-ray, 1997's Gattaca (Special Edition) sports a fine transfer on standard DVD and a stunning 1080p transfer with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio on Blu-ray. DVD/Blu-ray extras include a 22-minute “Welcome to Gattaca” retrospective featurette with cast and crew (including costars Ethan Hawke and Jude Law), a 15-minute “Do Not Alter?” featurette on DNA and genetic modification, six deleted scenes (7 min. total), a vintage production featurette (7 min.), a brief “Substance Test” outtake, and trailers. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a film that is even more relevant today than it was a decade ago.]