GATTACA Movie Assignment Name: Period:

Jerome (Vincent) (Irene) (Eugene) As you watch the movie GATTACA answer questions 1-20 below. To the left of each question number is the approximate time that the question is answered in the movie. We will answer the discussion questions together on Friday. These movie notes are not homework. This assignment will be graded.

13:08 1. What does Jerome (Vincent) place on the comb at his workstation?

17:10 2. What is Jerome’s (Vincent’s) life expectancy?

18:00 3. After Marie’s fertilized embryos are screened, how many healthy ones are left?

19:25 4. According to the geneticist, we have enough of “this” built in already. What is it?

20:50 5. What is Jerome (Vincent) and his brother’s favorite game?

21:30 6. “Anton was by far the stronger swimmer, and he had no excuse to__________” what?

23:15 7. What is the name given to discriminating against people because of their genetic profile?

30:50 8. “After all there is no gene for _________”

35:44 9. What color is Eugene’s medal?

40:30 10. What is a “borrowed ladder” or “de-generate”?

41:20 11. What does Jerome (Vincent) leave behind at the murder scene?

53:55 12. The director claims that GATTACA is occasionally forced to accept candidates with “minor shortcomings”, but nothing that would prevent them from working in what field?

56:50 13. Why is it unlikely that Irene will travel into space?

1:06:05 14. When Jerome (Vincent) and Irene go to a concert, what is unusual about the piano player?

1:18:40 15. What does Irene leave behind at the club where she and Jerome (Vincent) are dancing?

1:34:50 16. Who killed the mission director?

1:36:20 17. Who does the detective leading the murder investigation turn out to be?

1:40:00 18. When Anton asks Jerome (Vincent), “How are you doing this?” How does Jerome (Vincent) answer?

1:44:10 19. Why does Eugene think that he got the better end of the deal?

1:48:55 20. In what sport did Eugene receive his medal?

Discussion Questions – (we will work on this page together in class) 1. During a scene in GATTACA, Vincent’s parents visited a doctor who specialized in child conception to select for

the best traits for his future brother. They hoped that his brother would have the best possible chances for a successful life. Some of the traits mentioned in GATTACA included intelligence, height and any possibility of

inheritable diseases. If you decided to have a child one day and are given the opportunity to select for special traits, would you do so? Explain why or why not.

__________________

2. What are the positive and negative aspects of the world showed in the movie? List at least 2 positive and 2 negative aspects.

__________________

3. What does the movie GATTACA say about DNA determining a person’s potential? Provide examples from

the movie to support your answer. __________________

4. Describe 3 preparations Vincent had to do everyday to pass as Jerome Morrow at GATTACA. In each case, explain why he had to do that.

_________________

5. The winding staircase in the house is one piece of symbolism found throughout this film. What do

you think it is a simile for?

6. There is another piece of symbolism in the title. Explain it.

7. They refer to people as a “borrowed ladders” in the film. What are they referring to?