Gattaca
Pearl, 9.30pm
Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke, top) is one of the last 'natural' babies born into a sterile, genetically enhanced world, where life expectancy and the chances of disease are ascertained at birth. Born with a heart defect and expected to die at 30, he has no chance of a career in a society that now discriminates against genes, instead of gender, race or religion. Going underground, he assumes the identity of Jerome Eugene Morrow (Jude Law), a genetically engineered man crippled in an accident. Freeman then rises to prominence in the Gattaca Corporation, where he achieves his dream and is selected for a manned space mission. Constantly passing gene tests by using samples of Morrow's hair, skin, blood and urine, his now-perfect world is thrown into confusion by a chance accident which threatens to expose his carefully guarded secret. Also starring Uma Thurman (above) and Gore Vidal. (1997)
The Guardian
World, 10.10pm
When Burton's (Dabney Coleman) sister-in-law decides to sell her successful advertising agency she asks him to close the deal. While Jake (Raphael Sbarge) is assigned the case, it's Nick (Simon Baker, above) who ends up having to deal with his angry 14-year-old cousin. Suspecting him of stealing some personal items from the office, Nick presses Burton to accept a dinner invitation from his aunt who then makes a startling revelation. Meanwhile, James (Charles Malik Whitfield) agrees to help a 10-year-old Thai heroin smuggler seeking asylum.
