The Limits of Genes
In Gattaca, the filmmakers raise an interesting idea about the concept of potential. Maxine discussed this a bit in her post but I wanted to address it further. Obviously everyone has limits in everything they do, whether it is physical or mental. Gattaca shows a society that it believes that it is a person's genes and makeup that determines such a result. Then it takes the character of Vincent and shows that perhaps we consist of something more than just genes; that there is something else that drives us, motivates us, and allows us to pursue our dreams.
This theory reminds of another film called Without Limits. Though not about genes or genetics in any way, this movie coincides with Gattaca in some interesting ways. Without Limits (for those who haven't seen it) is the story of the real life runner Steve Prefontaine and his quest to be the best runner in the world. Throughout the film, we see and hear Prefontaine talk about why he is so good at running and how he wins despite all odds. In real life, Prefontaine said "How does a kid from Coos Bay, with one leg longer than the other win races? All my life people have been telling me, 'You're too small Pre', 'You're not fast enough Pre', 'Give up your foolish dream Steve'. But they forgot something, I have to win." Similarly, Prefontaine believed that the reason that he won races in the end was because he had more guts and could handle take more pain than anyone else. In the movie he is quotes as saying, "I can endure more pain than anyone you've ever met. That's why I can beat anyone I've ever met."
In this way, I see Prefontaine and Vincent as being very similar. It would seem that there is no reason why these individuals should be able to excel at what they are attempting based on their build and design, but instead they go above and beyond their potential. This speaks directly to the idea that genes don't make the person, that instead there is something intangible, something that we cannot grasp, and something that neither movie even attempts to address, that makes us who we are.
After saying all that, I think it is interesting to reflect on what Gattaca is trying to say with this message. Is it in support of genetic manipulation because the filmmakers believe that in reality people will still be individuals with human flaws and with the potential to do great things? That is if it is not the genes that make the person. This is difficult to consider because the movie seems to be critiquing human beings' drive to get ahead no matter what it takes, specifically in the business only setting that it clearly portrays our future as being.
This theory reminds of another film called Without Limits. Though not about genes or genetics in any way, this movie coincides with Gattaca in some interesting ways. Without Limits (for those who haven't seen it) is the story of the real life runner Steve Prefontaine and his quest to be the best runner in the world. Throughout the film, we see and hear Prefontaine talk about why he is so good at running and how he wins despite all odds. In real life, Prefontaine said "How does a kid from Coos Bay, with one leg longer than the other win races? All my life people have been telling me, 'You're too small Pre', 'You're not fast enough Pre', 'Give up your foolish dream Steve'. But they forgot something, I have to win." Similarly, Prefontaine believed that the reason that he won races in the end was because he had more guts and could handle take more pain than anyone else. In the movie he is quotes as saying, "I can endure more pain than anyone you've ever met. That's why I can beat anyone I've ever met."
In this way, I see Prefontaine and Vincent as being very similar. It would seem that there is no reason why these individuals should be able to excel at what they are attempting based on their build and design, but instead they go above and beyond their potential. This speaks directly to the idea that genes don't make the person, that instead there is something intangible, something that we cannot grasp, and something that neither movie even attempts to address, that makes us who we are.
After saying all that, I think it is interesting to reflect on what Gattaca is trying to say with this message. Is it in support of genetic manipulation because the filmmakers believe that in reality people will still be individuals with human flaws and with the potential to do great things? That is if it is not the genes that make the person. This is difficult to consider because the movie seems to be critiquing human beings' drive to get ahead no matter what it takes, specifically in the business only setting that it clearly portrays our future as being.
posted by Zach at 12:10 AM
1 Comments:
Definitely, a major theme throughout Gattaca is nature versus nurture. Is someone’s potential and future determined at birth? In the world of Gattaca, essentially it is. At birth, the doctors tell you all your defects and life expectancy. They don’t leave any room or error for the outside world to take its toll. However, as we saw through Vincent’s and Jerome’s lives, nurture prevails over nature. Jerome became confined to the bottom floor of his house after being hit by a car. Vincent assumes a valid’s identity and acquires his dream job of going into space. As can be seen in Gattaca, one can always exceed his or her expected potential.
Post a Comment
<< Home