Hey, hey, I'm back! Who knows for how long. Too much of me is too much of a good thing in my opinion...
Hey, hey, I'm back! Who knows for how long. Too much of me is too much of a good thing in my opinion. And that's what it's all about - opinions!
Member since:02.08.2000
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Let me start with a warning – DON’T WATCH THE TRAILER! Basically, they give everything away, leaving no room for surprises and severely reducing your viewing pleasure. While there are many predictable Hollywood films out there, where you know exactly how it’s going to end after just five minutes, Frequency, while containing a few familiar moments, ultimately kept me guessing right to the finale. Saddled with the knowledge that the director, Gregory Hoblit’s, two previous films, the excellent Primal Fear, and the nearly-as-good Fallen, didn’t have traditional tinsel-town happy endings, I’ll admit I was really worried; which way would it go? (Also, by the way, a good sign that you’ve found the characters engaging; you’re actually worried about their ultimate fate.)
Well, unlike the trailer, I’m not going to spoil the film for you. I’ll convey the plot briefly, hopefully not giving too much away. It starts in 1969 by establishing a few basic plot points: a radio transmission about the strange northern lights, the aurora borealis, currently being seen in the night sky; a report on a serial killer called the Nightingale murderer because he targets nurses; and finally the heroic but slightly reckless character of Frank Sullivan (Dennis Quaid), a member of the New York Fire Department.
We are then introduced to Frank’s family; his wife Julia (Elizabeth Mitchell) and his young son, John. There is a moving scene where the father is teaching his son to ride a bike. The boy loses his confidence, and his balance, when his father lets go of the bike. His wife gently chides her husband, who is upset that his son quits, that the boy just wanted to know that his Dad was behind him. Immediately, we know that this is one of the themes of the movie and that some sort of tragedy will inevitably follow.
We then flash-forward 30 years to the now grown-up John (Jim Caviezel), a dispirited cop in the throes of a break-up with his girlfriend. We come to understand that this
rather morose character has come about as a result of his father’s death in a fire in 1969. John, who still lives in the family home, finds his Dad’s old ham radio and is surprised to find that it still works. He is even more surprised when he starts to receive messages from another ham operator in the same neighbourhood. They get on to the subject of baseball and there is confusion as they discuss the 1969 World Series and "The Amazing Mets" who won it. John talks as if it has already happened and he describes his memories of the event. The connection is lost and we find out that the other operator is John’s father, Frank, 30 years in the past!
Frank is amazed to see John’s "prediction" come true and he manages to contact him again. As they talk they begin to realise that they have a lot more in common than just baseball. Initially suspicious of each other, as they begin to grasp their true relationship they both begin to freak. The link between the past and the present is brilliantly visualised when Frank accidentally sets fire to the desk and John literally sees the burn mark appear before his eyes as history changes. Then John realises that it is the night before his father dies. As the contact once again begins to fade, he desperately tries to communicate the information that will save him.
Does he succeed? Well, I’m not going to tell you, except to say history is altered and this adds to John’s memories. I say ‘add’ rather than ‘changes’ because he now has two sets of memories. His friend, Gordo (Noah Emmerich) and his partner, Satch (Andre Braugher) only have the new memories, and begin to worry about him.
Naturally, there are unexpected consequences to altering the past so radically. In many ways, things actually get worse, and the John of the future has to continually interact with the past to try and fix things. And, of course, the killer that is mentioned at the top of the movie becomes inextricably linked with both timelines.
From this point to the end of the movie, the plot twists and turns as it rushes towards its satisfying resolution. (And no, I’m still not telling you if it’s a happy ending or not!) To be fair, the ending is perhaps the one area that can be criticised. Not that it’s disappointing in any way but I wouldn’t think about it too hard, or you’ll end up saying, "Hang on, wait a minute…!"
The fantasy element that drives the movie is certainly in contrast to the other main elements, both of which are grounded in reality: the worlds of fire-fighting and police investigations. The director, in his excellent commentary, details how important this verisimilitude was. Hoblit has the background for this, having worked on both NYPD Blue and Hill Street Blues for a number of years. In fact, there is a nice in-joke, as John is watching an episode of the latter at one point.
It wouldn’t be fair, either, to label the movie as science fiction; it’s more in the vein of a Twilight Zone "what if?" type of yarn. What holds the movie together, though, is its emotional core. The scenes between father and son, which are basically just two guys talking over a ham radio had the potential to be flat and uninvolving. Hoblit talks about this challenge and describes how he decided to shoot these scenes. He built both sets, different only in relation to their distinct time periods, and then shot them in real-time with the two actors literally communicating on the airwaves; not face-to-face. While the various takes were edited, this almost improvisational style seemed to really enervate the two actors and bring out the best in them. The scene where they catch-up on 30 years is genuinely moving; one of the most touching scenes I’ve seen in years.
Dennis Quaid is one of the most under-rated actors in Hollywood. Always believable in whatever role he is playing, he has failed to have that one big hit which might have cemented his position in the coveted A-list. He is quite simply excellent in this film, as is his co-star, Jim Caviezel. Still a relative newcomer, mostly known for his role in The Thin Red Line, Caviezel makes a convincing cop and appears to be another actor ready for the big breakthrough.
The film has a good story, excellent acting, innovative and exciting direction, convincing special effects and a suitable score by Michael Kamen. It scores 5 out of 5 for me.
Now, on to the special features on the DVD. The first is the aforementioned trailer (Boo! Hiss!) Have a look at it after you’ve seen the movie and tell me if you agree.
Next up are the deleted scenes. These are the types of things that really highlight the potential of the format. There are four of these, although technically most of them are extended scenes. In each case you can see why they have been cut but they provide a fascinating insight into the filmmaking process. The only thing missing is an explanation from the director, which is always useful.
There follows a documentary on "The Science and Technology behind Frequency". This comprises five sections: The Aurora Borealis (which is nominally put forward as an explanation for the phenomena which occurs in the film – even though the makers admit that the Northern Lights have never been reported as visible in Queens!); Ham radios; time travel; fighting fires and Creating Natural Phenomenon for Film. These each focus on a different aspect of the making of the film, and include interviews with scientists, enthusiasts and members of the special effects team. With a total running time of 38 minutes this is a very informative and entertaining feature. (The science stuff is surprisingly technical.)
Finally we have what for me is always the most important feature: a commentary; preferably from the director. Amazingly, they omit this from the blurb on the cover – don’t they know that this is one of the major selling points for DVD enthusiasts like me? So, big thanks to Pakalang for featuring it in his review; this was what finally convinced me to purchase a copy. (That, and the fact it was part of a 3 for £25 deal in Comet!) It starts off shakily – Mr Hoblit doesn’t even introduce himself, he just dives right in. Then there is a long silence (although it actually lasts under a minute) before he starts talking again. There is the occasional gap throughout the film but when he does talk he goes into a lot of detail and is very interesting. He’s not quite in the Ridley Scott class, but it is a worthwhile and informative monologue.
Well, that about wraps it up. Hopefully what I’ve said will have intrigued you enough to make you want to see this film. I genuinely believe you will be pleasantly surprised. I’m off to dig out my Dad’s old CB radio. I wonder if we get the Northern Lights over Edinburgh.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
Great review - thorough and well-written. I have been trying to remember the name of this film. A friend went to see it at the cinema last summer and highly recommended it. Thanks for reminding me. Sounds like the DVD version is worth splashing out on. I do find it annoying when there aren't many extras, but this one seems good.
EnglishPatient 20.04.2001 01:04
Enchnating film, very moving and utterly engrossing. The DVD also has some of the most fascinating extra stuff I've come across. You did both film and disc justice. Excellent.
salman 19.04.2001 03:58
I like Gregory hoblit's movies,especially the unpredictable endings are really exciting but I rate Fallen over Primal fear(hope you don't mind). Thanks for a great op.
Frequencyis really two different--though inextricably linked--movies. First, the emotional ... more
drama of a father and son reunited after 30 years of separation. Then there is a science fiction thriller, in which a couple of chance solar storms, occurring ex...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
What if you had the chance to travel back in time and change just one event in your life? ... more
What would it be? 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 ...
Frequencyis really two different--though inextricably linked--movies. First, the emotional ... more
drama of a father and son reunited after 30 years of separation. Then there is a science fiction thriller, in which a couple of chance solar storms, occurring ex...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
![Frequency [DVD] [2000]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78528636.jpg "Frequency [DVD] [2000]")
Apr 18th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
