It is seen through the film "Gattaca" by Niccol that a true hero is an individual who does not need a superior genetic makeup or an extremely high level of intelligence to be able to achieve a dream. It shows that a true hero is one who is willing to commit body and soul and all effort into receiving the desired outcome. Vincent achieves his goal by truly working hard for it as many examples of this is shown throughout the film. On the contrary there is his brother Anton, Eugene and Irene who are all fairly genetically superior individuals who have all in some way failed to be successful.

Vincent Freeman can be defined by two opposing elements. One is his poor genetic profile- his congenital heart problem, his myopia, his physical stature. After his birth the nurse had given an estimated life expectancy of '30 years'. The other side to him however is his extraordinary psychological strength- his ambition and urge to succeed. Vincent does not achieve his success easily. He is a character who does not give up on himself, no matter the conditions or consequences. It is first seen when Vincent and Anton are younger always playing games, in particular a game called 'chicken', where they would challenge one another in a swimming race until a point where one of them gives up and wants to turn back. Though Vincent knew that his brother was almost perfect because of his genetic makeup, he is still always up for a challenge. Vincent always kept his trust in himself and didn't seem to lose hope. One day Anton gives up, he is exhausted and sinking beneath the water.Vincent returns and grabs him, dragging him back towards the shore. "It was the one moment in our lives that my brother was not as strong as he believed and I was not as weak. It was the moment that made everything possible"

Vincent even commits himself to losing his identity in order to be able to achieve his dream of entering Gattaca and eventually seeing space. He commits his body and soul as a consequence. Firstly Vincent was given the opportunity to take place of Eugene (Jerome) Marrow, a speacial member of Gattaca. Vincent accepted to do this, knowing that he will be transformed into Eugene to start with