Yes, it is possible to have a good science-fiction movie with very few effects. Gattaca is a wonderful cerebral piece that asks the question, "If a person is created with better genes, would the better genes make a better person?" Of course, we know the answer. Nevertheless, in this futuristic world of Gattaca, the genetic make-up of people helps determine the future of their lives. Traits such as obesity and heart disease can be weeded out during an in-vitro birth operation. If you have a baby the old fashion way, you run the risk of creating an in-valid -- someone who has a detrimental genetic make-up.
An in-valid named Vincent (Ethan Hawke) does not want to be fettered by his bad genes. He works in a space center as a janitor, but dreams of more. He hires a DNA broker who creates a symbiotic relationship with a DNA donor (Jude Law) who has the perfect genes, but was paralyzed in an accident. Vincent becomes Jerome and is employed by the space center as a programmer. Soon, his excellent work is appreciated and he gets a chance to work on one of Saturn's moons. However, he has to avoid being caught -- women are interested in good genes and sometimes take hair samples to check out those DNA sequences. In addition, a murder has been committed to a director who was opposed to Vincent's mission and Detective Hugo (Alan Arkin) is consistantly checking blood, urine and hair amongst the employees.
Vincent also falls in love with Irene (Uma Thurman) who genetic structure is not good enough to get her to work out in space. She has a potential heart condition. She does not know that Vincent/Jerome is supposed to be dead already. They have good chemistry together and make a convincing couple together (ha ha).
The best relationship is the one between Vincent and the real Jerome. Jude Law is excellent as the ex-swimmer turned parapalegic who can no longer be himself. He has to live his life through Vincent.
If there is any problem with the movie, it is in the way it tried to meet all ends. I do not want to give away any ending, but I felt that it tried to accomplish too much and should have left some issues "up in the air." These issues include the fate of the real Jerome and relationship between one detective and Vincent.
Overall, this was a very good movie. It appears at a time where genetics and its use in humans is a reality and not just science-fiction fodder. Gattaca also explores human emotion and relationships with an intensity that is not normally shown in sci-fi movies. I was surprised at how good this movie is.
GATTACA (1997)
Vincent/Jerome: Ethan Hawke
Irene: Uma Thurman
Jerome/Eugene: Jude Law
Detective Hugo: Alan Arkin
Anton: Loren Dean
Director Josef: Gore Vidal
