GATTACA film analysis on the final scene Essay

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. â€Å"_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. 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 dark lighting. The scenes between Vincent and Jerome are perfectly in sync from the closing of the space door to the closing of the incinerator door whilst the dramatic and sorrowful music continues to play accompanied by the diegetic sound of the rockets blasting which cuts to a close-up of Jerome’s medal in the midst of the fire. All these elements create a cumulative effect of emphasising on genetic manipulation carrying  on from the opening scene to the final, as well as genetic discrimination. This scene goes on to prove that genetic manipulation is not as perfect as it is conceived in the film because it does not include individuality or desire just what your genes have to offer. Also, in the beginning of the film Vincent tells us how discrimination is no longer based on colour, religion, ethnicity or money but that it was _†down to a science†._ This is the only part of the film that shows different ethnicities as well as another female whereas throughout the film it was mostly dominated by white men in uniform. This does not make much sense, although a given a benefit of a doubt the final scene could mean that anyone as long as they have the perfect gene is able to fly to Titan. Vincent being the exception proving that it is far more than having the perfect DNA.