Fate in Gattaca

"After all, there is no gene for fate." This line delivers what many believe to be the over-arching message of the film Gattaca. However, I feel that the movie is less about fate and beating the odds, than the triumph of the human spirit. Certainly the idea of genetic predisposition is invoked time and again to show how difficult life has become for the "de-gene-erates". Vincent has myopia, a 99% chance of early heart failure, a predicted life expectancy of 30 years. Even in todays world it would be difficult for him to get many jobs, and certainly impossible for him to be an astronaut. No employer could afford the medical insurance tab that accompanies a worker who could drop dead at any moment. Furthermore, Jerome was given every advantage in the world. He is brilliant and perfectly athletic and healthy, all of which are genetically inherited. Thus, many see the movie as a question of Jerome's destiny to succeed and Vincent's fate of a premature demise.

To the contrary, every conflict in the movie is not one of destiny, but one of willpower. Vincent survives the heart condition because he is lucky. He gets into Gattaca because he will not give up. When he races his brother, or spends hours each day keeping his genetic code a secret, or undergoes painful leg extension surgery, or even just the constant physical and mental training, it is that human desire never to be denied that keeps him going and leads him to success. Even Jerome displays this spirit when he drags himself up the staircase to keep the detective from discovering the secret.

Furthermore, Vincent is not successful at disguising his true identity. His brother discovers him, and the doctors knows who he is. Neither of these characters reveal his secret because they respect his desire and admire what it shows about mankind. The doctor has a son who has some genetic defect, but from observing Vincent he has gained hope and understands that it is always possible to achieve your dreams.