Plot; During an atmospheric anomaly, a man finds that he is able to communicate w/his Father 30 years in the past via a ham radio.Like so many movies that deal w/altering the past, there are a host of logical faults and a truckload of bad science here, but I'm a forgiving sort of they're in the service of a compelling story, and for the most part that's true here. There's a domino effect to a decision that one of our characters makes that sends the story into a reasonably compelling, tense, if not quite taut, thriller direction. But what holds it together is the relationship and the performances of the two leads (Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel). Despite their interactions coming across the ages, theirs is a bond that feels real, and as a result I cared, even when the flaws in the story might have otherwise made me not.

This film is a family drama in which a son communicates with his father, dead for years, through a radio that, through some mysterious means and that the film does not clarify much, opens a temporary portal or something. All those who say this seems implausible have reason to say it, and I understand that because I also thought so. The problem with the script is that it has its origin in such a weak premise because otherwise the story is profound, touching and so pleasing that the logical weakness of the story ends up being forgiven. The characters are also easily appealing and pleasing, being well developed from the psychological point of view. Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel are the main actors of the cast and have lived up to expectations, achieving a very pleasant bond between them. The rest of the cast virtually does what it has to do and nothing else.

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.

Gregory Hoblit's Frequency is a low key, high concept sci fi thriller that could have quickly degenerated into easy, sensationalistic thrills, but instead chooses to keep itself rooted in character and emotion as opposed to purely effects and spectacle. A lot of sci fi movies use the characters simply as vehicles to test drive the snazzy special effects and often end up lulling us into a coma. This one takes it's extremely minimal effects and uses them only to explore the relationships between characters as opposed to cheaply wowing us, and is a much richer film as a result of it. Hoblit has a few excellent thrillers under his belt (Primal Fear and Fallen come to mind) and even with those he never let the lofty concepts smother the character's growth or journey. Here, Dennis Quaid plays enthusiastic firefighter, loving husband and doting father Frank Sullivan, who lives in 1960's NYC with his kid and gorgeous wife (Elizabeth Mitchell). This film captures family love like no other, as we see through the actor's work that they really, really care about each other and would do anything to keep each other safe. Life throws a wrench in their idyllic lives, and decades later we join up with the adult version of Frank's kid, now a police detective and played by a burnt out, steely Jim Caviesel. He's haunted by the tragic way things turned out with his family. When his buddy gives him an old HAM radio, he absent-mindedly tinkers with it, until he reaches someone, who turns out to be his own father from back in the 60's, thanks to a solar storm of epic proportions that's turning the laws of time and space on earth inside out. It's far-fetched to be sure, but few films turn their beyond reality concepts into something as fun and grounded as this baby. Quaid and Caviesel, communicating across an impossible gulf of time and tragedy, work together to right the wrongs, discover the clues and transform the sad past they share into something more liveable. And we, the audience, are treated to a stellar sci fi/time travel flick that cares endlessly about its characters, aims to please and never ceases to entertain. With terrific supporting work from Andre Braugher, Shawn Doyle and Noah Emmerich, this is one I can watch on repeat and always be moved by its focused desire to tell a great story, and actors embodying the work flawlessly.