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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 father´s death, in the midst of the spectacular sky storm known as the aurora borealis, John Sullivan discovers in the house he inherited his father´s 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 father´s survival have led to a string of unsolved serial homicides, including the grisly murder of John´s 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]

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Release:

Oct 31, 2000

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Frequency

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
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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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Even though audiences who appreciated the chilly restraint of The Sixth Sense may be put off by Frequency's sappiness and silliness, those who give in to its loony charm should enjoy the ride.

Full Review Source: eye WEEKLY | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jason Anderson
Jason Anderson
eye WEEKLY

The best film of the year so far!

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
01/01/00
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

"Backdraft" plus "The Sixth Sense"

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
01/01/00
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

Quaid and Caviezel establish a firm emotional connection in moments that are by turns funny, affecting and eerie.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Examiner | comment Comment
01/01/00
David Armstrong
David Armstrong
San Francisco Examiner

Frequency has an outlandish premise and a script that depends on a few too many amazing coincidences. But if you can swallow them, it's a dandy little time-travel movie that has plenty of the audience appeal of The Sixth Sense.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
01/01/00
William Arnold
William Arnold
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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

Si quieren dejar volar su imaginación y pasar un rato sumamente agradable, les dejará un buen sabor de boca

Full Review Source: Moviola | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jorge Avila Andrade
Jorge Avila Andrade
Moviola

The only way this Twilight Zone-wannabe movie works is that if, after buying into the premise, you turn off your mind, suspending all rational thought processes.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Frequency's downward spiral is such a tremendous slap in the face that it all but negates the sound, intelligent and engrossing first hour of the movie.

Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
01/01/00
Rob Blackwelder
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire

An implausible, but entertaining fantasy that taps into one of man's primal fantasies: the what-if scenario.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bob Bloom
Bob Bloom
rec.arts.movies.reviews

It's touching, interesting and thrilling. Hmmm. Like a real movie should be. Kudos to director Gregory Hoblit, I think he intertwined timelines and storylines perfectly.

Full Review Source: Blunt Review | comment Comment
01/01/00
Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt
Blunt Review

A fantasy about fate and family, it's a treat for time-warp-movie fans who've been jonesing for another fix.

Full Review Source: Orlando Sentinel | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jay Boyar
Jay Boyar
Orlando Sentinel

For a story with a fairly hokey premise, Frequency works out to be quite a good slice of entertainment.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
01/01/00
Liz Braun
Liz Braun
Jam! Movies

Becomes nothing more than a formulaic story involving a serial killer on the loose while the ending proves to be a major letdown.

Full Review Source: Houston Community Newspapers | comment Comment
01/01/00
Gary Brown
Gary Brown
Houston Community Newspapers

A psychological thriller about the deepening of a father-son relationship.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
03/13/02
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

Corny and far-fetched it may be, but Frequency works -- except for some stretches when it doesn't.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Mark Caro
Mark Caro
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Quaid and Caviezel carry off their parts easily; it's a rock-solid job from both actors.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment Comment
01/01/00
Shay Casey
Shay Casey
rec.arts.movies.reviews

An emotional thriller and a welcome surprise in this year of continuous cinematic disappointments.

Full Review Source: Norman Transcript | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jim Chastain
Jim Chastain
Norman Transcript
 
 
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