"Gattaca", written and directed by Andrew Niccol, depicts a futuristic world of a cold society, where one's resume exists in their cells and genes. Although genes play a significant part to a successful life in this world, the path and success of one's life is not determined solely on DNA as demonstrated by Eugene, Anton and in particular, Vincent who clearly "exceeds his potential".
Vincent Freeman is cast into society's redundant section as being an "invalid", however he overcomes this burden of uselessness, and uses his strong will to drive him forward to achieving his dream of flying to Titan. Vincent is an "invalid" who suffers under the burden of being a "utero" as he is unable to make any progress in his life due to his imperfect genetic make-up. From a young age, he is outcast from society, even by his own father and brother as being different.
Animation of the structure of a section of DNA. Th...
This image shows the coding region in a segment of...
The Eugene Public Library in Eugene, Oregon.Antonio explains to Vincent, "...the only way you'll see the inside of a spaceship is if you're cleaning it." Vincent agrees as in this society, it didn't matter how many times you lied on your resume because "your real resume was in your cells." He is denied his opportunity of fulfilling his dream of flying to space from a young age and discouraged to pursue his dream. However, this only strengthens Vincent, and as he "resorts to more extreme methods" by "borrowing" the identity of Jerome Morrow, he overcomes the sacrifices and hardships by concentrating on the glory of achieving his dream and in his own mind, proving everyone else wrong. Vincent clearly "exceeds his potential" as he overcomes the imprisonment of his genes, and forges himself a worthy life.
Jerome Eugene Morrow is on the opposite end of the genetic scale as he is a genetically elite athlete.