“Gattaca” did not succeed at the box-office but it has gained a following and it certainly deserves it. This masterpiece is not only a sci-fi gem but it seems to get at the core of the genetics debate. This is a beautiful film about determination that touches on issues of faith and morality and I believe it will only become more relevant than it is in the years to come.

“Gattaca” takes place in a future where the vast majority of children are born with the genes selected by their parents to give them supposedly the ‘best’ start in life. Vincent (Ethan Hawke “Training Day”) is a genetically inferior man that must assume the identity of the superior Jerome (Jude Law “The Holiday”) if he is to fulfil his lifelong dream of space travel.

Ethan Hawke does a wonderful job as Vincent. This is a character that will not surrender his dream and will go to extraordinary lengths to do what he wants to do. Jude Law gives a reasonable performance as Jerome. Uma Thurman (“Pulp Fiction”) plays one of Vincent’s colleagues, who falls in love with him, and she does a great job. Alan Arkin (“Rocketeer”) and Tony Shalhoub (“Men In Black”) also have roles and they do decent jobs.

This is an excellent movie with a truly moving performance from Ethan Hawke, one of the most elegant film scores that I have ever had the pleasure of hearing and some spectacular visuals. This is a terrific film from beginning to end about a man put under endless scrutiny where one fault could shatter his world. “Gattaca” is sprawling with amazing concepts and the film itself has all the polish it needs to ensure that it is one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made. If you have not seen this underrated picture then you are missing out on a brilliant movie experience.