Frequency (2000)

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Jim Caviezel

Director: Gregory Hoblit

Rating: PG-13 for peril, smoking, and suggestive content

 

Summary

John Sullivan lost his father in a dangerous warehouse fire 30 years ago. It left a deep wound that seems to continue to affect his life. John is allowing his life to unravel and fall apart, telling himself and others that he can’t change. Until one night he hits a frequency on his dad’s old radio that allows him to communicate with a man named Frank.

John quickly realizes that he’s talking to Frank Sullivan of the FDNY – his own father, 30 years in the past, the night before the fire killed him. John and Frank could change the past, but what will happen to the present?

The Concerns

What an incredible ride! I sat on the edge of my seat the entire movie. Perhaps I need to clarify that I’m not usually into the science fiction genre . . . but I loved this movie! There are a few issues we’ve got to cover though, before I start singing Jim Caviezel’s praises. 🙂

This movie is a mystery / thriller on top of having sci-fi themes. It’s got some perilous moments involving a serial killer. We don’t see the murders happen, but we see pictures of victims, a skeleton found years after the old murder case originally opened, and a scantily dressed nurse just hours after she’s murdered. One man is shot in the hand and later the head with a rifle, though we don’t see blood or the killing shot.

Sexual assault is mentioned quickly and only in passing a few times, but it is present. At one point, we see the serial killer on top of one of his victims but nothing explicit is shown.

A few curse words are tossed around briefly. There are also a few fights and brawls involving both fists and guns.

To Watch or Not To Watch

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie! I wore out the edge of my seat and I asked so many questions while watching that I probably annoyed my mother to death. 🙂

I am always down to watch Jim Caviezel. He’s easily one of my favorite actors, ever since I first saw him as Edmond Dantes in The Count of Monte Cristo. On top of that, I don’t mind an occasional Dennis Quaid!

Beyond a pair of really good actors, this movie puts forth a truly interesting story. It’s not at all plausible in real life and that’s where the science fiction side comes in. On the predictability scale, I would say the ending could be guessed easily. However, there were plenty of twists and turns during the movie that I didn’t see coming.

I enjoyed the emphasis on the father/son relationship. We don’t see many of those movies anymore! Our culture does not prize the role of fathers, thus there is no reflection of this relationship in hollywood and the entertainment industry. Frequency was made in 2000, and reflects a sad tone as we are introduced to a young man who essentially grew up without his father. It feels . . . wrong, depressing. That is a beautiful message. A young man who grows up without a father – or at least a fatherly figure – often struggles in key areas of life. Young men almost always struggle to find purpose and meaning in life when there is no one who guides them and goes before them as an example. And here, we find great hope in the potential for a restored relationship between a father and son who had little chance to be together.

All things considered, this is a wonderful and fun movie. However, this is not for everyone in the family. Upper high school might be a good time to introduce this movie, maybe even later due to the fact that there are several mature themes. For those who do decide to take in this movie, enjoy the ride!

Happy Tuesday, and go read a book!