Quietly profound thriller set in a near-future world where genetics are everything. People are graded as “valids” or “in-valids”, depending on their genetic profile. Ethan Hawke plays Vincent Freeman – a man whose “defects” (a weak heart) prevent him realising his dream to go to space. He impersonates Jerome Morrow (Jude Law), a valid who was paralysed in a self-inflicted accident. Uma Thurman plays a work colleague who falls in love with “Jerome”, not realising he is really an imposter. Gore Vidal plays their boss – the mission director with a dangerous agenda of his own.
The film asks complicated questions about the ethics of genetic engineering. It also looks at ambition, human identity, nature vs. nurture and brotherly love.
The “sci-fi” premise is nicely offset by the visuals, which are 1950s-themed. The retro-futuristic look is stylish and believable.
It builds to a surprisingly emotional ending.
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