“Describe at least one idea that changed your perspective or point of view from the film.”

“There is no gene for human spirit.” In a world where humans are engineered in a lab – made, to be perfect this quote is particularly pertinent. Jerome – a leading character in the film Gattaca – proves these words true when climbing the helix shaped staircase. Throughout the film Jerome, a scientifically engineered man helps Vincent, and imperfect ‘god child’ defy the rules and prejudices that come with having flawed genes. In Jerome climbing the helix staircase – a painful, self sacrificial thing to do – he is showing us that determination and ‘spirit’ can not be engineered in a lab. Throughout the scene we are shown may point of view, close up shots, where we can see clearly his face and eyes. This helps put the audience in Jeromes shoes and feel his struggle, desperation and in the end, success. Vincent shows similar perseverance in his struggle to overcome his genetic disadvantages, and it is through the common displays of ‘human spirit’ that we are convinced that no amount of scientific intervention can determine our will to succeed and overcome. Jerome climbing the staircase – shaped, like a genetic strand – and Vincent following his dreams both prove to us that ‘there is no gene for human spirit’ as the two men couldn’t be more different in terms of their genes, but share (in the moment) a desperate show of spirit. This moment changes the audiences point of view, as it gives us hope for Vincent, and all humans, as the best parts about us can not be determined, or created by anyone else.

“Describe at least one idea that changed your perspective or point of view from the film.”

“There is no gene for human spirit.” In a world where humans are engineered in a lab – made to be perfect, this quote is particularly pertinent. Jerome – a leading character in the film Gattaca – proves these words true when climbing the helix shaped staircase. Throughout the film Jerome, a scientifically engineered man helps Vincent, and imperfect ‘god child’ defy the rules and prejudices that come with having flawed genes. In Jerome climbing the helix staircase – a painful, self sacrificial thing to do – he is showing us that determination and ‘spirit’ can not be engineered in a lab by the raw, ‘realness’ of the action. Vincent shows similar perseverance in his struggle to overcome his genetic disadvantages, and it is through the common displays of ‘human spirit’ that we are convinced that no amount of scientific intervention can determine our will to succeed and overcome. Jerome climbing the staircase – shaped, like a genetic strand – and Vincent following his dreams both prove to us that ‘there is no gene for human spirit’ as the two men couldn’t be more different in terms of their genes, but share (in the moment) a desperate show of spirit. This moment changes the audiences point of view, as it gives us hope for Vincent, and all humans, as the best parts about us can not be determined, or created by anyone else.