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Gattaca (1997) watch along
🕑 Added 2024-09-16 16:00:12 +0000 UTCWow, I really loved this movie! The blend of thriller and mystery totally hooked me, and by the end, I was off on a full-on philosophical rant...so many thought-provoking moments.
Visually, it was absolutely stunning, like watching art come to life on film. One of the coolest shots had to be that smoke swirling inside the glass-just mesmerizing. The whole tone and atmosphere were so cold and sterile, which fit the '50s-meets-future vibe perfectly. It was unsettling to see the segregation in this world, and the concept of genetically designing our offspring? That’s a heavy moral debate. Is it really evolution if we’re controlling it? But if we have the technology?? The movie raises some seriously interesting questions.
Vincent’s character arc was so well done, and his scenes with Jude Law were some of my favorites. That casting? Spot on. Left more thoughts in the outro! LOL
Let me know your thoughts on the film!
xx
ames
Comments
Amalia Wolf
BRYYY
Samuraibry1
curious what you saw on re-watch regarding plot contradictions/troublesome? Sorry to come back to comment but this is such a special film to me and is so slept on nearly 30 years old and no one rates this as one of the great film noir sci fi/murder mystery films ... idk just curious what other thoughts you had. Congrats on getting your 100k plaque finally too
Amalia Wolf
I loved it! I haven’t seen enough Kubrick but I liked the style tone and pace of this movie On a 2nd rewatch I saw a few things I missed and maybe troublesome for plot but I didn’t mind
Samuraibry1
Such a great watch through; this is such a beautiful film. Obviously very influenced by Kubrick? Let me know what you think!
Amalia Wolf
Yep it’s been a great idea suggested!
Butt Head
The weighted lottery wheel is definitely a great way to mix it up
Amalia Wolf
❤️❤️❤️❤️
John Courtright
Good luck Shawn! You are here and should be committed! 😂
Shawn Goforth
I saw this one when it was originally released. I was barely a teenager and don't remember liking it...at all. I was going to pass on it this time, since this is really one of my least favorite genres, but as it happens...I am here and should be committed to this experience as much as anyone else, so here goes nothing. Wish me luck.
John Courtright
I loved watching Gattaca again with you, Ames! Your description of the film, as "50s-meets-future", is so on point. The set decoration was so cool (especially for 1977, 😂), and the lighting was next-level throughout! ***** SPOILERS BELOW ***** Such an interesting and thought-provoking story! And what wonderful performances by Ethan Hawke, Jude Law, and Uma Thurman! I love how the mystery unfolds, gradually introducing not only the major characters and their respective roles, but also the ancillary characters, many of whom (as the movie progresses), we suspect know more than they're letting on and who will come to play an important part in the final outcome. To me it is so poignant that the moment of Vincent's greatest achievement is also the moment of Jerome's greatest achievement. I found it to be so emotional when Jerome says, "I got the better end of the deal. I only lent you my body. You lent me your dream." Jerome's final choice is so sad. Instinctively Jerome knows that once Vincent achieves his (and now Jerome's) dream, everything afterwards will pale in comparison. Life will have failed to have any further purpose or meaning for him. I also find the moment at the end where Jerome places the silver medal over his head to be extremely significant. On the one hand, I think Jerome is owning his "second-place" finish in life. Things did not go according to plan, even for one as genetically gifted as he. On the other hand, I believe it is a final act of defiance, whereby Jerome is saying a final "f*ck you" to the medal, ensuring it will be consumed by the flames and forgotten forever. He is no longer Jerome. Jerome is on his way to Titan. He is Eugene. Going out on his own terms, Eugene reclaims his agency and perhaps "wins" his redemption. What a powerful film and a great reaction!
Amalia Wolf
RIGHT so glad you watched this. I was so into it just on the ride. Love this comment
Bubba Fett
I avoided this one for a long time. Just never appealed then finally watched out of boredom and was pleasantly surprised. Good balance of scifi, and thriller and being oddly intense without any action whatsoever. plan meets execution, writing directing and acting all on the same page and firing on all cylinders. I'm out of metaphors hahahaha
Amalia Wolf
I loved this one Mike!
Amalia Wolf
Yesssss! Love this comment James
Amalia Wolf
BAHHHH great write up! How did I not see them both in space! OMG he did the Truman show! I loved that movie! Holy crap! Well it’s kinda interesting to read this after watching 8 1/2 😂😂😂
JM63
I always loved the premise of this film, but before today I hadn't seen it in 5+ years so I didn't know if the filmmaking would hold up. But you're right, the green & yellow tints are beautiful and distinctive, and the musical theme is inspiring. After renting this in 1999, I thought Andrew Niccol (who had already written The Truman Show) was on his way to becoming the next James Cameron, or more. So his next film, Sim0ne (a box office and critical bomb) was a disappointment (although I still think it's pretty interesting). Niccol took a few more shots, but In Time (w/ Justin Timberlake) was a miss, and I've never been able to sit through The Lord of War (w/ Nic Cage). It's poignant to me that Gattaca is about a man who blows past his supposed "potential" while, in my mind, Niccol never lived up to the potential I imagined for him. That's completely unfair on my part, of course -- Gattaca and The Truman Show are sci-fi classics, and he's had a nice career since. I guess some people peak creatively really early and aren't able to recapture that spark. But I'm glad he did peak with this, b/c this is a wonderful and thought-provoking film that will only grow more relevant as genetic technology advances. Glad you felt this one! It breaks me up that Vincent and Jerome both make it into space, even though for Jerome it's only a fragment of his genetic material.
James Rogers
There is something very satisfying about this movie for me. A sci-fi film that deals with actual science and the moral/ethical/human ramifications of the application of that science. Just so damn refreshing. I love the idea that genetic engineering is no match for human determination. And random chance makes life exciting. Without it we wouldn't have had this great film to start off the week. Thanks Ames.
Amalia Wolf
YES AGREED I haven’t really seen him but I think ur right on the money with his vulnerability! It’s like a look in his eyes or face! He was one of the highlights for me in this! I still have more Ethan Hawke stuff to watch but since I saw him in “Reality Bites” it’s been a hard swoon over him … I just think he’s so unique and amazing
Mike Donovan
What a treat! I just saw this upload. Saw Gattaca a couple of times years ago ... been meaning to watch it again! Great movie.
RFK Fan
GREAT sci-Fi pick. 100% agree with you Ames on the performances by both Hawke (who I have long considered one of the BEST actors working today and has NEVER turned in a bad performance) and Jude Law who has equally never turned in a bad performance. But I have to give a special shout out here to an actor who never gets any credit but always stands out every time I see him in anything. Loren Dean who plays Vincent's overbearing older brother Anton. From playing goofy/horny Joe in SAY ANYTHING to co-lead in BILLY BATHGATE, Nasa engineer in APOLLO 13 and the his stellar lead performance in the underrated MUMFORD, Loren's acting always shows a rare vulnerability, intelligence and relatable everyman quality in all his roles. FYI.. Hawke met and married his costar Uma Thurman on this film and would go on to produce future actress Maya Hawke whose getting alot of roles these days..
