Saturday, October 9, 2010

Gat... Goddi... Gattik... Wait, How Do You Spell It, Again?

   Despite it's strange spelling, Gattaca, a science fiction film centered upon the science and future dangers, per say, of genetic engineering, is a movie which seemingly slipped under the radar.  Released in 1997, making it over 13 years old now, arrived at some interesting questions regarding the sciences of changing and "designing" the genetic make up of people before they are born.  Vincent Freeman, the main character, and the older of the Freeman sons, was conceived and born, against the better judgement of the Geneticist's (the main geneticist being Blair Underwood), naturally, with out any genetic engineering, causing him to be susceptible to various diseases, including asthma.  As a child, and young adult, he was very sickly, and, after his parents had a second child named Anton, who was genetically altered, was always seen as inferior by his parents and his younger brother.  To sum it up, Anton was determined to be an astronaut, and Vincent was forced into a life of medial jobs including becoming a janitor.  The climax, of sorts, brings up many questions, however.  At one point in the movie, the two Freeman brothers are racing each other in the ocean, when Anton begins drowning, and Vincent wins the race.  Once he realizes Anton is not next to him, he returns to rescue him, and drags him back to shore.  Instead of being thankful, Anton is disgusted, not at Vincent, but rather at himself, for having lost to his "inferior" brother, and having to be rescued by him as well.  This pivotal moment shows how, even though he may be perfect on the outside, Anton is quite conflicted and, to put it bluntly, sick, on the inside.  This may even be deemed a superiority complex, in his case.  This is seen once again when, a few days before he is about to launch off into space, Anton kills himself, because he can no longer live with himself, now that he sees himself as a failure, and, inferior to his, so-called, "inferior" brother.  Looking at this reaction, it makes me wonder if being "perfect," is all that great in the end.  Being human is to be imperfect, and to consider one self to be perfect is to simply set yourself up for disappointment.  Now, although I could go on for much longer, I'd rather give you all a chance to think about this for yourself, and maybe comment with some of your ideas.  Also, what I have discussed only covers about half of the movie, and I do not feel I should continue discussing the second half.  Considering this film is slightly older, and, as I mentioned before, seemed to fly under the radar, I feel it would be better if you were to watch it for yourself.

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