Gattaca

The last time we swam together. Anton needs assistance. The impossible happened. Does this give him the motivation? “ I was not as weak”. “ The moment that made everything else possible. ” Music calming sad, builds up. Vincent removes himself from the family photo. Close up shot brings Anton into his place. He leaves home. Cleaning at Gattica. The New underclass determined by science. Stairs in background. In the film “ Gattaca” the director, Andrew Niccol uses many techniques throughout the film to show different ideas to the viewers of the film.

One of the most important scenes that I have chosen to analyse is the last swimming scene. A technique the director used in the last swimming scene that I thought was important was dialogue. “ In case you havn’t realised I don’t need rescuing, but you did once. How do you explain that? ” – Vincent to Anton. “ You didn’t beat me that day I beat myself. ” – Anton to Vincent. “ Who are you trying to convince? ” –Vincent to Anton. “ You want me to prove it to you? I’ll prove it to you!! ” – Anton to Vincent.

The effect of this heated conversation gives the scene a tension filled atmosphere and keeps you wondering about what is going to happen next. It makes the audience sympathetic to Vincent because you see all the struggles he has had to endure to become ‘ Jerome Morrow’ and edge closer to his goal of going into space. Even though he has achieved so much his own brother cannot acknowledge the strength Vincent has shown.

Another meaningful techniques that is shown by Andrew Niccol is (not sure what its called) when the camera is low in the water showing Vincent battling his brother and his emotions during the game of chicken one last time. The shot of Vincent is always at least 3/4 ‘ s full of water. The symbolism of the water taking up so much space in the shot and the roughness of the waves slapping against the lens gives the impression of the past and present struggles that Vincent has faced and gotten through or is trying to overcome.

This technique makes the audience feel as if they know Vincent in a more personal way. It also relates back to the theme ‘ the will to overcome challenges even when society says you can’t. ’ The effect of this technique is powerful because it always shows Vincent with his head above the water, which symbolises that he isn’t willing to give up on the challenges that society has presented him with because of his un-engineered genes.

One of the most significant techniques is the lighting used in the last swimming scene. It is dark showing that it is late at night, the symbolism of the darkness shows the dark side if Vincent trying to be someone he’s not so he can be accepted into his dream job. The audience feels like they understand Vincent and his motives because of this. The darkness also shows the darkness that Vincent has to push out of his mind, because he knows he is breaking the law but trying hard not to acknowledge it.