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遺伝子工学の発達によって優秀な遺伝子を組み合わせて生まれた「適性者」が支配し、人間の生活も固定化されてしまった未来世界。そんな折り、自然出産で生まれた「不適性者」のヴィンセント(イーサン・ホーク)は、宇宙飛行士になる夢をかなえるため、遺伝子適性をごまかして宇宙局「ガタカ」へ入社。しかし、ある日社内で殺人事件が起きて、ヴィンセントが犯人と疑われてしまい…。
DNA優先の管理未来社会の中で、夢を追い求める青年の苦悩と希望を描いたSF青春映画。ヒロインにユマ・サーマン、ほかジュード・ロウ、アラン・アーキン、アーネスト・ボーグナインなどキャストも豪華。監督はニュージーランド出身の新鋭で『トゥルーマン・ショー』の脚本で注目されたアンドリュー・ニコル。(的田也寸志)
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Confidently conceived and brilliantly executed,
Gattaca had a somewhat low profile release in 1997, but audiences and critics hailed the film's originality. It's since been recognized as one of the most intelligent science fiction films of the 1990s. Writer-director Andrew Niccol, the talented New Zealander who also wrote the acclaimed Jim Carrey vehicle
The Truman Show, depicts a near-future society in which one's personal and professional destiny is determined by one's genes. In this society, "Valids" (genetically engineered) qualify for positions at prestigious corporations, such as Gattaca, which grooms its most qualified employees for space exploration. "In-Valids" (naturally born), such as the film's protagonist, Vincent (Ethan Hawke), are deemed genetically flawed and subsequently fated to low-level occupations in a genetically caste society. With the help of a disabled "Valid" (Jude Law), Vincent subverts his society's social and biological barriers to pursue his dream of space travel; any random mistake--and an ongoing murder investigation at Gattaca--could reveal his plot. Part thriller, part futuristic drama and cautionary tale,
Gattaca establishes its social structure so convincingly that the entire scenario is chillingly believable. With Uma Thurman as the woman who loves Vincent and identifies with his struggle,
Gattaca is both stylish and smart, while Jude Law's performance lends the film a note of tragic and heartfelt humanity.
--Jeff Shannon