Andrew Niccol’s Gattaca

Andrew Niccol’s Gattaca shows a discriminatory society in which status and quality of life is determined solely by a DNA profile. However, it is against this oppressive regime that Vincent Freeman shines, as Niccol conveys the importance of maintaining individuality. Throughout the film Niccol criticises those who conform and contribute to this, while simultaneously he praises those valids who do rebel in order to emphasise how pivotal it is that the human race does not succumb to lead the existence portrayed by this “not to distant future” society.

From an early point in the film, Niccol depicts the environment of the Gattaca corporation. It is a sterile and artificial world where individuals appear identical in every aspect of their being; their facial expressions, their attire and restricted walking action. Here, Niccol emphasises the monotony of this society as he questions the meaning of such a machine-like existence. This is a world where, although racial and sexist discrimination no longer exists, a far worse prejudice has taken replaced these unfair assumptions based “on the colour of your skin”. And, here Niccol suggests that this interchange has come at a costly price.

Individuality has been repressed, as in this world, nobody even looks at a “photograph”. And where if in the case that an individual does rebel and “refuse to disclose”, a “legal”-drug test can just as easily determine their “future in the company”. Consequently it can even the discrimination caused by those who conform, in the geneticist who insists” believe me, we have enough imperfection…already” and the kindergarten teacher who symbolically slams the barred-gate in Vincent’s face is portrayed to have disastrous consequences, as Niccol suggests that at all costs we must avoid such an oppressive system.

However, despite the barriers and controlling existence IsGait