The Final Scene

Personal Response

The final scene of GATTACA had an unexpected twist that triggered mixed emotions of confusion, sorrow and happiness. The irony of Vincent finally fulfilling his life's mission and Jerome no longer having one was heart wrenching, after all that they went through together to defy the odds and expectations of perfection set by Society. However, it was Jerome's choice to end his life having finally come to peace with his inner turmoils which was evident when he was first introduced in the film. He was crippled in a wheelchair and smoking, also an alcoholic, sarcastic and pessimistic person with a grudge against Society despite his perfect genes. He showed the most significant character arc, having found a reason to keep going, through the dream of Vincent who inspired him. "I got the better part of the deal. I only lent you my body. You lent me your dream." He tells Vincent this before he leaves, showing the strong and unbreakable bond between these two.

Genetic Manipulation

An example of a low capacity, mobile incinerator

Vincent Jerome prologue du Tour de Romandie 2007

The way that Niccol skilfully put together the final scene with inter-cutting between Vincent and Jerome from the rocket to the incinerator, also perfectly links with the opening scene. However in the opening scene Vincent is the one in the incinerator, with the same establishing shot of the incinerator burning in both scenes. The final scene inter-cuts between Vincent getting ready to leave earth and the same with Jerome only never to come back. The same background as the opening scene, Jerome enters the Incinerator where close-ups are focused on his hands, and facial expression hidden behind shadows and emphasised through dark-lighting, while Vincent enters the rocket. There is close-ups and panning inside the rocket of other perfectly genetically conceived humans of different race are shown, in moving shadows and...