Video Asylum

Posted by David Aiken (A) on October 27, 2007 at 14:23:18

In Reply to: RE: seen it - have it - like it posted by wazoo on October 14, 2007 at 09:39:06

You said "I liked it very much, but there are a few things about it that get under my skin. Absolute genetic determinism (being able to predict the day on which an individual will die of cardiac arrest) completely ignores the influence of one's environment."

I think that point is taken up in Gattaca. Ethan Hawke's character does not accept the 'determined view' of his fate and the main action of the film is, if I remember correctly, set after his genetically determined use-by date has expired. I think one of the strengths of the film is that it shows that it is what we do with our lives that counts, regardless of any genetic strengths or weaknesses that we may have, and that it is sometimes possible to achieve much more than would be expected, and equally possible to achieve much less than would be expected, from an interpretation of one's genetic profile.

And I agree: Gattaca is a very good movie.


David Aiken