Gattaca Example - MERIT
In the film Gattaca directed by Andrew Nicol, various techniques contributed to the development of characters in the film. These techniques were motifs, costume, voiceovers and flashbacks. They all helped show changes in the characters form the beginning of the film to the end by outlining differences and reasons why the characters are like they are and what possesses them to act the way they do.
In Gattaca, flashbacks are used to show Vincent’s childhood and his relationship with his family. One flashback contains Vincent being measured in height against his brother Anton. Vincent quotes “A son worthy of my father’s name” referring to
Anton. This shows how Vincent was discriminated against by his society let alone his own family and how his brother was favoured due to his genetics. He also became to think of himself “critically ill”. The swimming shots show Vincent and Anton racing, to see who will swim out the further and give up first. This is very significant as when
Vincent Beats Anton, even tough his genetics are superior physically and mentally, it was the “moment that made everything possible” The use of flashbacks explain why
Vincent is the person he is and how he has come to be so determined. Beating Anton gave him hope to overcome his society and he became more persistent to get into
Gattaca. Flashbacks gave a starting point and basis for Vincent’s development into a superior, acceptable person in his society, thus achieving his dream.
The techniques of costume and appearance are used to create and develop characters such as Irene. At he beginning of the film Irene is shallow which is reflected by her blonde, clean and pretty appearance. She has her hair tied back in a tight bun and not one hair is out of place. She stands tall and proud and wears black/grey suits which reflect the dystopia which surrounds the film. Through Irene’s appearance the audience can see that she agrees with the valid and invalid system and aids in the portrayal that she has no relationships or real human emotion. As Irene develops throughout the film her appearance and costume also changes. Irene opens herself up to a relationship with Vincent and learns to look past imperfections. The audience also discovers that she has flaws herself, in particular a heart defected which is discovered through the quote. “Not quite like the rest of you, I have an acceptable likelihood of heart failure. I think that what the manual says.” The audience also sees
Irene with her hair down for the first time when she is on a date with Vincent, Irene is also wearing a gold, sparkly dress that emanates a feeling of warmth within her character and shows sparks of human emotion that are previously unseen in Irene.
Vincent’s development into Jerome can also be demonstrated through costume and appearance4. As Vincent he has glasses, stubble, ill fitting clothes, is scrawny and looks dishevelled. All these factors show that Vincent feels inferior because he is trapped and of an invalid status therefore is unlikely to achieve his dream of going to space. When Vincent assumes Jerome’s identity and in theory becoming valid, his appearance changes with the development in character. He is clean cut, well groomed, wears a fitted suit and contacts instead of thick lensed glasses. This reflects that he is now successful and able to achieve whatever he desires as Jerome. Anton’s costume and appearance is clean cut with a long black jacket to symbolise his police status. His high and mighty appearance is mirrored by his attitude as he shows off and thinks he is superior, demonstrated when he simply assumes Vincent needs his help to which Vincent replies. “In case you haven’t notices I don’t need rescuing.”
Motifs also help to create and develop characters.

Gattaca Example - MERIT
The technique of voiceovers was used in the beginning and end of the movie. It was used to establish Vincent’s character and views at the beginning and to show his development at the end. At the start of the film he uses voiceovers to show his view on his society and the role of genetics. Vincent lived in a new society where discrimination was “down to a gene”. People were no longer classed on race or religion. “Of course, it’s illegal to discriminate, genoism, it’s called, but no one takes the law seriously.” He shoes how his life is limited , no matter how smart or promising he really is. “It didn’t matter how much I lied on my resume, my real resume was in my cell.” During the film Vincent strives to leave his world that he dislikes so much and achieve his dream of going into space. At the end of the film when Vincent finally leaves his attitude has changed as he has found Irene, someone worth staying for. “For someone who was never meant for this world, I must confess, I’m suddenly having a hard time leaving it.” The contrasting voiceovers show that Vincent has overcome his prejudice society to achieve his dream and has developed as a character showing more emotion.
In the film the motif of bars and fires of the incinerator create and develop the characters of Jerome and Vincent. At the beginning of the film Vincent uses the incinerator to get rid of body matter which is a symbol of his invalid status and the shadow of the bars show that he feels trapped and inferior. Jerome is the most human like character and continues to be throughout. The audience can relate to him the most as he is the most real, he drinks, smokes, shows anger, sadness, depression and elements of humour and emotion. At the end of the film Jerome uses the incinerator to commit suicide and is seen through the bars to show he is trapped by being crippled and he burns the fire laps up his silver medal showing he never dealt with being second best. “Look at this, look at it… It’s silver… Jerome Morrow was never meant to be one step down on the podium.” As Jerome burns in the fire Vincent’s spaceship prepares for lift off. Vincent’s image contains no bars showing that he is now free and has developed to feel better about himself as he has achieved his goal. The fire used in both the shot of Jerome, with the incinerator and Vincent’s launch, demonstrates how each character has developed and is going to a different world. For
Jerome it is death and for Vincent space. “For someone who never meant for this world, I must confess, I’m suddenly having a hard time leaving it.” Another motif in the film that creates and develops characters is genetic imagery. Genetic imagery mainly shows the development of Vincent’s character. It shows how Vincent must live carefully when he assumes Jerome’s identity. Part of the genetic imagery is the staircase at Vincent’s and Jerome’s home that is shaped like a double helix and is a constant reminder that Vincent is invalid. The blood and urine that Vincent needs to use everyday is also a constant reminder that he is only a borrowed ladder, although his spirit is unbreakable.
Throughout Gattaca many techniques such as genetic imagery and flashbacks, were used to emphasis changes within a character as they developed. They made the changes obvious to the viewer who can judge on what they see and hear. At the beginning flashbacks are used to establish Vincent’s past and explains his character.
At the beginning and end, voiceovers are used to show Vincent’s change of attitude.
Motifs and costume are used to symbolize the development in character as they become different from beginning and end.