So it's the world of tomorrow, and genetic modification of designer babies has created a new class system of augmented entitled rich people and downtrodden naturally conceived people with shorter life expectancies, high rates of cancers, and lower IQ's. I like this concept, and found it fairly believable, though I think that in-life augmentations would also give people a boost and the differences would basically still be class based.
We're guided through this world by the monotone voiceover of the main character - the futuristic surroundings are all very drab, with sharp angles and washed out pastel colours. The upper class tend to act as sterile and emotionless as their surroundings, while the lower class show incrementally more humanity. The film shows us how the entitled upper class talk down to and generally shit on their fellow humans, and makes it clear that no one sees anything as being wrong or strange about this while allowing it to look as revolting and alien as it should to the viewer. The actual characters are infected a little too much by their emotionless masks at times though, as there's a slight distance maintained between them and the viewer that makes it difficult to connect. While I wasn't so keen on it at first, however, I loved the relationship between the two leads, and the stark contrast in their upbringing.
The plot is fairly simple once the premise is set up, and a lot of the film plays out in simply exploring the world (something I'm very happy with, as it's a great medium to do that sort of thing in). Once we get the themes of false identity, class differences and repressed emotions solidified the film touches on each repeatedly without jamming any of it down our throats so much. There are just lots of nice little scenes to highlight them (such as his old boss not recognising him once he's working there, and Jerome screaming insults at a detective and getting away with it once his high status is confirmed).
There's some nice imagery in here too. The rocket launches are like a distant beacon calling Vincent to them, reminding me of the lighthouse in Tony's coma dream in 'The Sopranos' calling him towards death.
That that cop turned out to be his brother was dumb, I thought. It worked as a good background for his character and as a way of introducing us to this world, but I don't think it was necessary to have him show up at the end and for them to have a swimming competition for the film to make its point.
Other than a few flaws like that (and if you don't like a generally depressing tone this film just isn't for you - it was dour and self serious, there's no way around it) this is a pretty good movie and a solid sci-fi piece.
During the credits, the letters “a”, “t”, “c” and “g” are highlighted slightly. These are both the letters that make up the title of the film and the four nitrogen bases of DNA. Neat.
Gattaca: 72.8