Alan Arkin, Ernest Borgnine, Ethan Hawke, Gore Vidal, Jude Law ...( see more  see more... ) , Tony Shalhoub , Uma Thurman

In the near future, where corporations screen their employees based on their genetic makeup, a man with a congenital heart condition tries to assume the identity of a former athlete with perfect genes...( read more  read more... ) in order to fulfill his dream of traveling in space.

Flixster Users

82% liked it

176,944 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

55 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 1 min.

Directed by: Andrew Niccol

Release Date: October 24, 1997

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DVD Release Date: May 5, 1998

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Stats: 8,716 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (8,716)


  • September 16, 2009
    Very stylish but the acting is as wooden as the beautifully carved set pieces! I?m being a bit harsh, it?s a very entertaining film.
  • September 10, 2009
    "There Is No Gene For The Human Spirit."

    A genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.

    REVIEW

    In literature as well a...( read more)s cinema, science fiction is a genre that by and large has never held much allure for me. There are however some exceptions to this predisposition. "Gattaca" is one of them. It's thankfully free of the cliched earmarks often employed in a self aware, quasi parody fashion. In order for science fiction to work, one should become unaware of the genre and become engrossed in the action, which simply happens to take place in the future. This lends credibility to what is by definition, fantasy.

    Within the cold, austere and beautifully filmed sets, "Gattaca" possesses a core of emotion. The theme of striving towards achievement against adversity is one that will resonate with many. Ethan Hawke strikes the balance between confidence and vulnerability in an assured performance which must surely rate as one of his best. Uma Thurman's somewhat robotic statuesque presence and icy blonde veneer is used to great effect. The wheel chair bound Jude Law is, as ever a compelling actor to watch. As proven by his ingenious screenplay of "The Truman Show", writer and director Andrew Niccol possesses an exceptional creative talent. In "Gattaca" he gives expression to his vision with much assurance and flair.

    This is science fiction for all.
  • June 13, 2009
    I didn't think this was my type of film, but surprisingly I was into it. I LOVE LOVE the ending and the music was so beautiful, I almost cried. Very odd, but good movie.
  • June 4, 2009
    I love the washed out green yellow colour scheme of this film, similar to Lives of Others. The cast is amazing, this is definitely one of the best sci-fi movies on the market.
  • March 2, 2009
    Gattaca is a well written, brilliantly acted futuristic film. An intelligent, yet eerie look at DNA used to it's fullest by scientists.
  • February 8, 2010
    Boring film... pretty much nothing happens?!
  • January 21, 2010
    I watched again for the first time in awhile and I really enjoyed it. Ethen Hawke was great. So was Jude Law and Uma Thurman. This film really makes you think about the future and life as we know it today. Very intense.
  • January 20, 2010
    ' it's funny, you worked so hard and do everything you can to get away from a place and when you finally get your chance to leave, you find a reason to stay..'
    vincent (ethan hawke)
    very beautiful plot, i like it so much and the scenes are simple but amazingly presentable. ire...( read more)ne's (uma thurman) room is whoah!
  • January 17, 2010
    Interesting and the ending is just a touch heart-wrenching.
  • January 9, 2010
    December 2009 - A very strange science fiction! In fact the humanist approach to the drama makes this much more than a usual science fiction. Finally the appearance of the young versions of Ethan Hawke, Jude Law, Uma Thurman and Tony Shalhoub makes it a must see.

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

At a time when we read about cloned sheep and tomatoes crossed with fish, the science in Gattaca is theoretically possible. full review

January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The hero's struggle in Gattaca would have been more compelling were he an average fellow going up against geniuses, and not a healthy fellow going up against somewhat healthier specimens. full review

View more Gattaca reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • jamesh810
    June 2, 2008
    Love the strange setting of 1960's surroundings, yet very futuristic at the same time. Maybe a nod to the best time of human endavour..the Space race? Very moving.
  • mshkiki
    July 5, 2007
    Take the quiz!

    http://www.flixster.com/user/burgundywine/quiz/gattaca?invitorId=781236695
  • KoreanBabe5
    February 18, 2007
    I thought it would be this geeky space movie and it wasn't, even though the cover basically makes it seem like it is it wasn't. Its pretty cool, definitely not a freak movie. Its a great movie. Good acting, but towards the end ehhhh it got a little off the point.
  • 1stphoenix
    January 11, 2007
    The NEAR FUTURE!!!!!!!!!!! It'll happen!!!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Gattaca Trivia


  • Who starred in Alive, Reality Bites, and Gattaca?  Answer »
  • Which one of these movies star Jude Law, Ethan Hawke, and Uma Thurman?  Answer »
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