How is water used in the movie?

Images of water appear throughout the film. These include the shower in the opening scene, the beach where Vincent and Irene fall in love, and the ocean where the swimming scenes take place, as well as numerous close-ups on glasses of water throughout the film. Water symbolizes transition and transformation, and hence is suitable for a film focusing on the protagonists' journey from oppression to success. It also represents Vincent's transition in social status, from 'invalid' to 'valid' when he adopts the identity of Jerome.

Water is emphasized during crucial moments of change throughout the film. In the initial shower scene, there is a panning shot of running water while Vincent scrubs hurriedly at his skin. This represents his attempts to rid himself of any traces of his inferior DNA, so that he can better 'transform' into Jerome. The flashbacks to the swimming competition between Vincent and Anton are key moments in the film. While the first flashback illustrates Vincent's inferiority, as he does not beat his brother, Vincent's success in the second flashback encouraged him to pursue his dreams, as he realized that even the impossible is attainable through determination and willpower. Finally, the beach scene represents the transition in Vincent and Irene's relationship, as they go from strangers to lovers.