[Lawtan]

3 - Gattaca - 1997

Gattaca is a commentary on both the progress of biological science and on the caste/class into which human societies force others into in the name of efficiency and progress. In the not-to-distant future, it is your genetics, not your race/gender/creed, that is the source of discrimination.

In this world - a biological-punk world - people now only have 1-2 children a family, selected and grown from specific combinations of the parents' genetic makeup (test tube babies). As such, illicit affairs outside of the lab are looked down upon, and children begotten in such a manner are suited only for the lower class (Janitorial work, mining, etc.)

However, one such fellow, Freeman, dreams of going into space, and nature does not fully determine nurture. When one of the more perfect "test-tube" people winds up crippled, Freeman is able to take the guy's place (using hair and all for the frequent genetic screenings) and is able to trick the system. Freeman also overcomes mistakes in his genetics, such as allergic reactions, in pursuit of his dream.

Another important factor would be the comparison of Freeman to his brother, a "perfect" person. While his brother could outperform on almost all levels, Freeman winds up winning in the end.

All in all, this is a movie that shows how a great scientific idea could be used and abused to the point of creating a caste-like system, and how even such a system (caste based on scientific research) cannot account for/control everything.

At least, that is how I viewed it.