Popcorn Reviews With Cybèle: Gattaca 

By Cybèle Elaine Werts  
CybeleW@aol.com

Popcorn Kernel Rating: 3 Kernels: Suspense and science fiction mix for a tidy and fast paced futuristic flick.

Another brave new movie complete with automatons walking in step, radically severe black and white work suits, and faces with less character than Ken (like Ethan Hawke) and Barbie (like Uma Thurman). The desks of the office at "Gattaca" are in sleek black high tech rows. It’s a bit in the future, and parents now can choose the sex and hair color of their offspring, not to mention controls for master abilities from piano playing to rocket science. Given these options, Vincent (Ethan Hawke) is born under the cloud of being a love child, with genetics from a random universe. The result is that he and other "invalids" skirt their brethren’s success only by performing as janitors or other undesirable jobs. Vincent is determined in that very American way, to succeed beyond his genes and become an astronaut. In a society that tests identity on a daily basis, he is forced to borrow blood, urine and skin slough from Jerome (Jude Law) who was born perfect, at least on the genetic level.

The suspense comes naturally as Vincent sneaks into a new job and life, and tries to avoid detection even amidst the murder of a director who is opposed to the very space flight that Vincent dreams of going on. A fast pace and strong science sensibility make this an interesting and intriguing film. A good watch.

Suggested Gustatorial Accompaniment: Bring some vitamins along. After all, people in futuristic flicks never really eat, they get all their nourishment from instant food pills. (wouldn’t that be depressing?)

Copyright 2000