Frequency (2000)

Too many fans seem to be blown away

Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

Amateur movie with Big budget

Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

Simply amazing, very different idea, excellent performances, dad-son relationship

It never ceases to amaze me that some movies, despite being incredible in what they do, don't get nearly the attention they deserve. "Frequency" is an example of exactly that situation.For a basic plot summary, "Frequency" tells the story of a father Frank Sullivan (Dennis Quaid) and his son Jon (Jim Caviezel). After establishing the strong father-son bond the two have in 1969, the movie cuts to 1999, where Jon is a wore out cop struggling to keep is life together. On the night before the anniversary of his father's death, a strange aurora borealis effect (combined with a ham radio) produce a "frequency" that allow father (1969) and son (1999) to talk with each other once again.This movie is so compelling and full of real human drama that words in a review hardly do it justice. In fact, it almost sounds cheesy and a bit oft-putting to describe the plot. Rest assured, though, that this is about as quality of a movie as one can find. It quite literally has everything...incredibly real-feeling characters, a mind-bending plot, great acting, and emotional story lines that will have you welling up in both tears of joy and sadness on certain occasions.I am utterly flabbergasted that a movie like this doesn't get more recognition. Most people I know have not seen it (a crying shame!). It is also the kind of movie that the whole family can enjoy. There is no harsh violence or terrible profanity. Director Gregory Hoblit crafts "Frequency" into a genre-diverse (and aren't those the best kind of films?!) masterpiece that proves creativity still has a place in Hollywood."Frequency" is one of my favorite films of all-time. It tackles so many elements of filmmaking, yet manages to seamlessly weave them all into a tapestry of wonderment. If you haven't had the pleasure (and you probably haven't, knowing this film's relatively unknown stature), you are missing out on an incredible experience.

Re-viewing this after its first run in 2000, due to the new (2016) network version, I am even more impressed. After too many sloppy-script films of late, too many gimmicky and overdone-effects film, Frequency comes back as a tight and very involving film. Dennis Quaid is a brave NYC firefighter who has been killed rescuing a runaway girl from a burning warehouse, while the Amazing Mets stun everyone with a World Series victory in October 1969. Jim Caviezel (The Thin Red Line, Person of Interest) plays his son, now a cop thirty years later. Somehow linked to the Aurora Borealis in both time frames, the two make contact with each other across years by Dad's ham radio. The son is able to prevent his father's death, but changing the past also has other consequences which continue to get more complex. Family dedication with many twists! All of the major actors do a stellar job, and the tension is powerful but not pushy. See this one...

This is a lovely, well thought out film with an interesting scientific basis and great acting. The interplay between the characters, who show care for their actions and a strong sense of responsibility for the affects of these, carries the film through. All the plot twists and alterations flow together making for an intriguing story which requires some thought and ideally a second viewing. I particularly liked the scenes at the two wakes where we see an adult and child John Sullivan react to the events as the alternate time streams are created. The acting is excellent throughout and it was truly touching to see the two male leads connecting as they recognised their importance to and need of each other. The ending may seem a little overblown but it is a gentle, sweet reminder of the specialness of a loving family.