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Movies / On DVD / Frequency
Frequency

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Frequency (2000)

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Reviews Counted:122

Fresh:85

Rotten:37

Average Rating:6.5/10

Consensus: A tight blend of surprises and suspense keeps audiences spellbound.

Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: For John Sullivan (Jim Caviezel), there is no question. He would undo the events of October 12, 1969, when the out-of-control Bruxton fire took the life of his father, a heroic firefighter. Ever... For John Sullivan (Jim Caviezel), there is no question. He would undo the events of October 12, 1969, when the out-of-control Bruxton fire took the life of his father, a heroic firefighter. Ever since he was a kid, John has dreamed of being able to stop the tragedy of that fateful day, which set into motion the anger and loneliness that have haunted his adult life as a cop in the 1990s. Now John may get exactly what he wished for . . . and much more than he bargained for. In the mind-bending thriller Frequency, director Gregory Hoblit (Primal Fear) presents a fresh and original take on time travel with the gripping human story of a father and a son who reach out to one another across parallel universes to stop a terrible crime. Science fiction, mystery and a poignant story of family connection blend together in a tale about the entwining of past, present and future.

One day before the anniversary of his fatherīs death, in the midst of the spectacular sky storm known as the aurora borealis, John Sullivan discovers in the house he inherited his fatherīs old ham radio and begins to play with it. Through the electrical static, he finds himself talking to a man who claims to be a firefighter and who appears to be awaiting the World Series of 1969. Is John really talking to his own living father on the very same day, in the very same house, but exactly three decades ago?

At first neither can believe it, but soon John is carrying on an all-night conversation with his young father (Dennis Quaid), sharing for the first time his deep love and regret over his future death. Yet John realizes that now he might be able to change all that. By alerting Frank to the mistake that cost him his life the first time around, John saves his youthful father from dying in the Bruxton fire.

On October 12, 1999, John Sullivan discovers that he now has photographs on his walls of his father as a gray-haired man. By changing the past, the Sullivans have forged a new present. John is ecstatic with his new memories of his father - until he discovers other things have been altered. Subtle changes caused by his fatherīs survival have led to a string of unsolved serial homicides, including the grisly murder of Johnīs mother. Now, Frank and John must race against the clock - divided by three decades and connected only by a radio - to prevent a murder that will seal their destinies. And each time Frank changes something in his universe, John wakes up to a whole new reality.

Based on the new science of multiverses, Frequency is about a father and son who just need time to set things right [More]

Starring: Dennis Quaid, James Caviezel, Shawn Doyle, Elizabeth Mitchell

Starring: Dennis Quaid, James Caviezel, Shawn Doyle, Elizabeth Mitchell, Andre Braugher, Noah Emmerich

Director: Gregory Hoblit

Director: Gregory Hoblit
Screenwriter: Toby Emmerich
Producer: Gregory Hoblit, Toby Emmerich, Bill Carraro, Howard W. "Hawk" Koch
Composer: Michael Kamen

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Frequency

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
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This ambitious but frustrating timeshift thriller never quite manages to jam together two distinct stories.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Nick Funnell
Nick Funnell
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's difficult not to notice certain dramatic flaws in Frequency's speculative narrative logic.

Full Review Source: Sight and Sound | comment Comment
12/02/02
Tom Tunney
Tom Tunney
Sight and Sound

Fascinating enough to hold our interest, even as it drifts away from its early promise and tries just a bit too hard to bring all of the plot threads to a happy, tidy conclusion. But then, believability isn't an issue here.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
12/10/01
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

For the most part, Frequency works, and works well.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
04/17/01
Michael Thomson
Michael Thomson
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A highly professional thriller with an ingenious plot, but what really stands out are the character-based moments. They moved me to the brink of tears.

Full Review Source: UK Critic | comment Comment
01/01/00
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
UK Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
11/20/08
Eric Rosenberg
Eric Rosenberg
Hollywood.com

If you see the movie, ask yourself what would be the most upbeat ending possible; you'll see it all and more.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
02/13/08
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

Quaid's buoyant earnestness complements the stunning, low-key performance by Caviezel, whose close-ups give new meaning to the idea that still waters run deep.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
06/06/07
Lisa Alspector
Lisa Alspector
Chicago Reader

Like a kid who builds and details a lovely sand castle on the beach and then stomps all over it, the movie is completely destroyed in the last 15 minutes.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

Good action, lots of suspense, Dennis Quaid, and an intriguing Time Travel concept. What more could you ask?

Full Review Source: Three Movie Buffs | comment Comment
09/30/05
Scott Nash
Scott Nash
Three Movie Buffs

Why gripe about a few minor inconsistencies? Just relax and enjoy the show.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
07/21/05
Louis B. Parks
Louis B. Parks
Houston Chronicle

An intelligent science fiction thriller that also happens to be a solid father/son movie. It's entertainment aimed at the adult, not teen, audience and squarely hits the mark. Forgive the Hollywood ending.

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
04/09/05
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

Features plenty of soft-focus, picture-perfect, father-and-son baseball scenes, an enormous amount of plot, and not quite enough of anything else.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
12/31/03
Moira MacDonald
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times

Creates an ingenious twist for the time travel story.

Full Review Source: Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) | comment Comment
05/30/03
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

Director Gregory Hoblit has managed to bypass the bulk of the schmaltz and inject real tension.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/14/03
Jeanne Aufmuth
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly

It's amazing what kind of cool stuff you can come up with if you first throw logic and physics out the window.

Full Review Source: Film Quips Online | comment Comment
02/08/03
John R. McEwen
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Oscar Guy | comment Comment
01/29/03
Wesley Lovell
Wesley Lovell
Oscar Guy
N/R

No review available.

comment Comment
11/06/02
Jeff Strickler
Jeff Strickler
Minneapolis Star Tribune

There also are too many collage sequences indicating time shifts. The first two or three are interesting; after that they become dizzying, and finally downright annoying.

Full Review Source: San Diego Metropolitan | comment Comment
10/21/02
Jean Lowerison
Jean Lowerison
San Diego Metropolitan
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
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