Gattaca & Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Andrew Niccol’s GATTACA (PG-13, 1997, 106 min)  

In a future where genetic engineering determines your destiny, Vincent (Ethan Hawke) is an “In-Valid” born with a heart defect and a limited lifespan. To fulfill his dream of space travel, he assumes the identity of a genetically superior man (Jude Law) to infiltrate the elite Gattaca Aerospace Corporation. As he falls for a co-worker (Uma Thurman) and an investigation threatens to expose his secret, Vincent must prove that the human spirit is not bound by DNA. With its sleek, retro-future aesthetic and a haunting Michael Nyman score, Gattaca is a sophisticated sci-fi masterpiece that asks: is there a soul beyond the science?  

Followed by:

Michel Gondry’s ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (R, 2004, 108 min)  

What if you could erase the memory of a heartbreak? When Joel (Jim Carrey) discovers that his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has undergone an experimental procedure to forget their relationship, he decides to do the same. But as his memories of her begin to vanish, Joel realizes he still loves her and tries to hide her in the deepest corners of his mind to stop the process. Written by Charlie Kaufman, the film is a surreal, deeply moving exploration of love, loss, and the beauty of human imperfection. It is a visual and emotional wonder that proves some connections are impossible to erase.