Gattacca, By Andrew Niccol

Invalids are people too A classical Greek philosopher, Socrates, once indicated, “the unexamined life is not worth living” (Socrates). The movie Gattacca by Andrew Niccol, is a science fiction film filled with nail biting plot twist and thrilling ideas and concepts. This motion picture’s featured hero, Vincent, is a man who enjoys challenging the system. This less then perfect man is in complete awe by the mere thought of traveling up into space. Given his genetic make-up, society has categorized Vincent as an invalid, or someone who is not suitable to belong in society. To move ahead, Vincent undertakes the identity of Jerome Morrow, a genetically flawless individual who is a paraplegic due to a fatal car accident. Just when Vincent is
scheduled to launch up into space, his mission director is murdered and his secret identity is jeopardized when a police investigation begins. Clearly, in the movie Gattacca by Andrew Niccol, the unexamined life is not worth living. Vincent’s life is not worth living because he is classified as an invalid.
Vincent is ostracized by society for he is born despite the help of technology. Affliction from numerous physical abnormalities and a congenital heart defect, Vincent faces genetic intolerance and prejudice. With the genetic complications, the only way Vincent is admitted into Gattacca is by being a janitor and sanitizing the laboratories and hallways. This is one example of the unfortunate caste system. If individuals are not qualified to work at Gattacca, they are classified as an invalid and will grind on the maintenance crew. These individuals are completely dehumanized throughout the film. Vincent realizes that living as an invalid is useless if he wants to travel up into space. As the plot continues to thicken, Vincent seeks out a very extraordinary doctor, one who could potentially solve all of Vincent’s genetic deformities. This doctor encourages Vincent to transform into a genetically perfect man, Jerome Morrow. Since Jerome can no longer walk, he agrees to aid in the transformation. Jerome supplements Vincent with blood samples, urine samples, and hair follicles. Vincent transmits theses samples into his body and now has the full identity of Jerome Morrow. Vincent is admitted to work at Gattacca as Jerome and is eventually admitted into
space. The movie Gattacca is very interesting movie due to its intriguing plot line. Gattacca had several diverse characters that catches the viewers attention and makes the movie worth watching. This film clearly corresponds most closely with the book “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley. Both this film and the book contain several issues with individuals being born either the right kind of person or the wrong kind of person. In both worlds, Gattacca and the World State, there is no natural birth procedure. Each individual is carefully selected as to which characteristics they will contain. Along with being the right or wrong person, comes being placed in a dreadful caste system. Undoubtedly, the unexamined life is not worth living for three reasons, genetic discrimination, lack of authority in the caste system, and physical deformities. The movie Gattacca is a great science fiction movie that everyone should see.