This is an interesting and different view of a fantasy future.

So it's a pity it's also slow and lacks dramatic weight.

In the not-too-distant future, Vincent (Ethan Hawke) is the 'faith' child (not pre-arranged) born with poor sight and a heart defect that condemn him to the ranks of menial workers for the rest of his life, unlike his perfect brother (Loren Dean).

Or do they? In one of those scientific bargains beloved of fantasy writers, a disabled ex-athlete (Jude Law) swaps identities with Vincent who, with the help of blood and urine samples from his silent partner, is able to make his way up the Gattaca Corporation ladder towards his goal of flight into space.

If Hawke and Uma Thurman lack personality, that's in keeping with the characters they play, although it does leave Law, Alan Arkin (as a dogged detective who threatens to blow Vincent's cover) and Dean to walk off with the film.

Not unrewarding, it's still not a sci-fi journey to stir the blood. By the by, the title is composed of letters used in the component elements of human DNA. Just thought you'd like to know that.