FREQUENCY

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Because of: language, thematic elements

Rated:

There is one word that seems to put Frequency into a nutshell: "Wow." A truly astounding film, this explosive thriller overfilled all my expectations, and had a stupendous plot that wasn't once predictable. Full of nerve-racking twists and turns, Frequency promises a very wild ride to the finish. Without doubt the best Science Fiction film I have seen in many years, and by far the most intense. From square one, it has you completely captivated. Non-stop action and nail biting suspense fuels the film, and keeps you devotedly riveted to the screen from the first scene.

Frequency's tense plot is never dull, and the acting is all first rate. The screenplay and photography are both commendable, and all of the sets were made to be very realistic. It is very suspenseful, and periodically horrifying. A rapid-fire screenplay forced twice as much story into a shorter film, and occasional roller-coaster photography shots shove you into the action headfirst. None of the work in Frequency was done sloppily, however, and I consider it a masterpiece of filmmaking.

The movie begins with Frank Sullivan (Dennis Quaid)), a daredevil firefighter in 1969 who, though reckless, is known to rescue people in very dangerous situations. After another day of life on the edge with his hazardous occupation, Frank settles down next to his ham radio, and spends some time chatting with friends. That night while he makes his calls, the sky is filled with the lights of the Aurora Borealis, a very unusual phenomenon that is caused by solar flare activity. The "Northern Lights" as they are often called, are not usually seen as far south as the mainland US, but recent heavy solar activity changed that, and are causing odd transportation of radio waves.

In 1999, John Sullivan (James Caviezel), a depressed homicide detective with the NYPD, pulls out his late father's old ham radio, and, out of curiosity, turns it on. While watching an Aurora dance in the sky, John suddenly realizes that someone on the radio is talking! It turns out to be his father, 30 years in the past. The two cross time talkers, after proving each other, hit it off great. A couple of nights later, John suddenly begins to have nightmares of his mother's death. He wakes up to discover that his elderly mother of the future has disappeared, and was somehow killed in the past by a brutal serial murderer. Something the Sullivans talked about changed the past, and now, as the Auroras fade, they must race to repair the damage.

Frequency was rated PG-13 for language, some disturbing pictures, and high-tension scenes and high suspense. I believe this rating is very well deserved, and strongly enforce it. I might add that it could have bordered an R rating for suspense alone. Do not underestimate it. Profanity was high, with several anatomical reverences, 2 uses of S.O.B., several uses of sh_t. and many uses of God's name in vain (including one Christ). The other half of the rating is violence and some disturbing photographs of murder victims. There is a lot of gunplay and shots exchanged between the Sullivans and the murderer. We also learn that the killer is a sex offender. One victim is found with her shirt torn open and her visible. Another woman struggles with a man who climbs on top of her, but there's no sexual element as she's under a blanket.

Another subject worth noting is the level of smoking in this film. Most of the characters smoke through most of the film, but by the end, a few have stopped. Additionally, there was also some talk about the dangers of smoking at any level, and the consequences of doing so. There was also a moderate amount of alcohol consumption throughout. Frequency was an incredible film. Like I said, I highly enforce the rating, as it is well deserved. I also think it a good idea to censor viewing of this film to the proper age groups. This film is an excellent adult thriller that should be viewed by the appropriate audience. It was a great picture that may be eligible for an Oscar nomination. If you love suspense, you'll adore Frequency.