Product: Frequency (2000)
Rating: 5.0
No wonder I watch the stars.
I fell in love with "Frequency" by accident. The film's original promos played up the 'change your destiny' aspect of the plot more than the father-son bond, and I guess I thought there'd be some souped-up DeLorean auto waiting in the wings to whisk characters somewhere every 10 minutes. But this film is nothing like that. I lost my mother sixteen years ago and have only bonded stronger with my dad since then, and as such, really relate to the film's subtler message of re-affirming ties with those you love the most. It doesn't hit immediately. When detective Jim Caviezel first speaks to fireman Dennis Quaid, they are understandably confused and pseudo-annoyed with each other, because they do not yet understand what has happened between them. Later, of course, the 30-year paradox is revealed, and a new relationship emerges after Quaid survives a potentially life-ending fire. The duo-logue which follows between father and son over the ham radio is a breathtaking scene, and when it comes to an end ("I'm almost afraid to turn this off- like we won't get this back"), I'm a tearful mess, every single time. But I *am* smiling. It seems that many critics were less than impressed with the story's sentiment (not surprising), but it's a wonderful little story which celebrates the nobler side of the human spirit. Buy. See.