Gattaca (1997)

Director:

Andrew Niccol

Writer (WGA):

Andrew Niccol (written by)

Release Date:

24 October 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

The Prisoner. His Cell.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Police | Dream | Future | Space Travel | Genetics

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 6 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Ethan Hawke	...	Vincent Freeman
Uma Thurman	...	Irene Cassini
Gore Vidal	...	Director Josef
Xander Berkeley	...	Dr. Lamar
Jayne Brook	...	Marie Freeman
Maya Rudolph	...	Delivery Nurse
Una Damon	...	Head Nurse
Elizabeth Dennehy	...	Preschool Teacher
Blair Underwood	...	Geneticist
Mason Gamble	...	Vincent Freeman - Boy
Vincent Nielson	...	Anton Freeman - Boy
Chad Christ	...	Vincent Freeman - Teen
William Lee Scott	...	Anton Freeman - Teen
Clarence Graham	...	Personnel Officer
Ernest Borgnine	...	Caesar

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for brief violent images, language, and some sexuality.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Esperanto

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:12 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #34793) | Brazil:14 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:12 | Mexico:B | Netherlands:12 (video premiere) | Norway:15 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Barstow, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

While it has been identified that "GATTACA" uses the 4 DNA nucleotide abbreviations of G,A,T,C, more specifically, when identifying genetic markers, the tests measure "short tandem repeats" at specific DNA marker locations. These are known as "GATA or CA" repeats - hence GATTACA.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Jerome starts to crawl up the spiral stair, he moves his legs with his hands as he is supposed to be paralyzed. However, a moment later his legs can be seen slightly moving when he is struggling to get upstairs.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Director Josef:You keep your work station so clean, Jerome.
Vincent:It's next to godliness. Isn't that what they say?
Director Josef:Godliness. I reviewed your flight plan. Not one error in a million keystrokes. Phenomenal. It's right that someone like you is taking us to Titan.
Vincent:Has the committee approved the mission? There's been talk of delay.
Director Josef:You shouldn't listen to talk. You leave in a week. You've got a substance test.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Metal Gear Solid (1998) (VG)

Soundtrack:

First Song (for Ruth)

Simply one of the most beautiful movies ever conceived!!!

I will keep this short. This is most certainly one of the best films of all time. Script is wonderful, cinematography brilliant, Actors perform to a T, and the underlying message is one that all mankind should take to heart, for this great movie about human perseverance and will, and how real a situation in the world like this could be. 10 out of 10 bottom line. If you don't see this movie you will be committing a crime against yourself. Also the relationship between Vincent and Gerome and his brother is brought together perfectly and well developed. For that matter all of the characters in this film bring a little something different to the table that you will see very rarely in any film.