passion and the unlimited human potential

more about GATTACA

GATTACA:passion and the unlimited human potential

Although Vincent eventually fulfills his dream of going into space with his own determination and effort, his success would have not been achieved without the help of other people. Whenever his true identity is at risk to be revealed, they help to hide his real identity so he can keep striving for his dream. Throughout the film, there are at least four people who have the opportunity to expose him. They are Irene, Anton, Lamar, and Eugene (the real Jerome Morrow). In Vincent, they see the unlimited human potential and his passion for space, the true superior quality of human nature that cannot be found in the inhumane environment of Gattaca. In a place where human spirits are isolated by shiny metallic walls and human bodies are subjected to the manipulation by science and technology, they see hope in Vincent to defy the fate set by science.

Although Eugene and Vincent are bound by their contract and their situation to cover up each other’s real identity, Eugene’s attitude toward Vincent changes from a belittling sneer to a complete admiration of his passion at the end. In the beginning, Eugene still lives in the bubble of his genetic perfection. When Vincent comes back from his interview, cheering that he gets the job, Eugene looks rather depressed and sends out a curt reply, “of course you get it.” Although he cannot tolerate winning only the silver medal, his belief in the perfection of his genetic composition is firm. However, after living with Vincent and experiencing his determination, such as the time when Vincent has to cut off and reattach his legs to become taller, Eugene expresses how glad he is that he has met Vincent. Eugene says, “I got the better deal of it. I only lent you my body. You lent me your dreams.” While saying that, the expression on his face is full of sincerity and admiration. Before his encounter with Vincent, Eugene’s goal in life is to meet the expectations people have for his genetic perfection. Even though he strives for the gold medal, it is highly questionable whether he chooses swimming because of passion. Most likely, rather than choosing swimming as his career, he is chosen to compete for swimming because of his gene, a gene which is believed to have been engineered for a superior physical strength. However, as the remark on the DVD cover of the movie says, “there is no gene for the human spirit.” No matter how advanced the technology is, even as in the movie where sequencing the entire individual’s genome can be done in few minutes, the human spirit cannot be manipulated or engineered. This is what Eugene admires Vincent for. With Vincent, they work toward a common goal. Vincent’s dream and passion become Eugene’s as well. Vincent lets Eugene experience what it is like to live for one’s dream, rather for one’s burden, such as Eugene’s own burden of fulfilling the expectation of his genetic “superiority”. It is possible that Eugene commits suicide when Vincent leaves for space because of his homosexual love for Vincent. Yet the more likely cause of Eugene’s suicide is his fear that he has to come back to his old life. In the next year without Vincent to provide the dream for which Eugene lives on, he cannot bear to go back to his old life when he is reminded everyday of his failure to prove the success of his genetic manipulation. Eugene admires Vincent’s dream and passion for space. With this admiration Eugene prepares the specimen for Vincent even though he has decided to commit suicide. The real Jerome may die, but Vincent’s dream can live on to keep inspiring others.
While with Vincent’s dream Eugene finds a new meaning for his life, Vincent’s belief that passion can overcome so-called physical defect shows the unlimited human potential to Lamar. While Vincent is supplying his own urine specimen, his conversation with Lamar reveals their common belief for the unlimited human potential.

Lamar: Flight got you nervous?
Vincent: There is a problem, Lamar.
Lamar: Did I ever tell you about my son, Jerome? He’s a big fan of yours. He
Wants to apply here.

Vincent: Just remember, Lamar, I would have gone up and back and nobody would have been wiser—

Lamar: Unfortunately, my son’s not all that they promised. But then, who knows what he could do.

Vincent wants Lamar to realize that he is always the best with or without his cover identity as Jerome. Lamar implies that he already knows Vincent’s true identity and he admires how Vincent strives for his passion. He states that “ Unfortunately, my son’s not all that they promised.” Who are they? They might be the genes inside Lamar’s son. Lamar’s son might be a “faith-birth” too and have some “genetic defects.” However, Vincent has inspired him to overcome whatever predisposition he might have to achieve his full potential or beyond.

While Irene and Anton each play a role in protecting Vincent’s identity, they act on different motives than simple admiration. For example, Irene is in love with Vincent and Anton shares the same bloodline as Vincent. However, Vincent’s courage and determination eventually expel any negative attitude they have toward his “ladder-borrowing.”