Back in the year 2000, the world was still reeling from the threat of Y2K. But underneath that anxiety, there was a nervous excitement in the air like anything was possible. If ever there was a film that takes that sentiment to heart, it’s the forgotten sci-fi Frequency. Starring Dennis Quaid, Elizabeth Mitchell, Jim Caviezel, and the late Andre Braugher, this murder mystery takes viewers on a thrilling and emotional trip through time. Director Gregory Hoblit‘s definition of time travel is as unique and different from any other film that attempts to tackle the archetype.
What Is the Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Frequency’ About?
When 36-year-old John Sullivan (Caviezel) finds his dad’s old ham radio in a closet, he learns that talking to his father Frank (Quaid) in the past is an actual possibility. The film does an excellent job of getting the audience onboard with this absurd plot point very quickly, and the movie ramps up in a hurry, jumping from theme to theme, including fatherhood, murder, baseball, mystery, and family. Those elements shouldn’t blend together as well as they do, but it works thanks to Toby Emmerich‘s clear and concise script. Frequency is an underrated (and often times unheard of) sci-fi flick with a ton of heart and includes one of the best performances of Dennis Quaid’s career.
One underlying catalyst for the sci-fi movies is the arrival of the Northern Lights. It is suggested that the Aurora Borealis has an effect on radio frequencies, and Hoblit keeps his characters relatable and doesn’t let them get lost in the magic of the story. Even when the father and son duo start to change the past over the radio, there is no plot point that is so egregious that it becomes unbelievable. Together, future John and past Frank begin to prevent a series of murders that occurred in 1969. But when characters mess with things in the past, there are always consequences in the future.
‘Frequency’ Features One of Dennis Quaid’s Best Performances
One could argue that Quaid has been typecast as the loving father for quite some time now. From The Parent Trap to Switchback, the actor has made a living playing the all-American dad. The role of Frank Sullivan is no different. The firefighting Mets fan from Queens loves his job, wife, and son. John’s childhood friend, Gordo, considers him a father as well. Quaid’s passionate and charming performance is as authentic as it is heartfelt. In Frank’s reality, the 1969 Mets are in the middle of the World Series, an historical event that plays a key part in the film but more importantly gives the audience a glimpse into the father-son relationship of Frank and John.
‘Frequency’ Is Unlike Many Time-Travel Sci-Fi Movies
The ’90s were filled to the brim with movies centered around science fiction and time travel. Jodie Foster’s Contact follows a research scientist’s attempt to communicate with extraterrestrial beings. The Fifth Element, which was released in 1997, is a space epic that’s set in the 23rd century. Event Horizon is a psychological horror film which revolves around a rescue mission in outer space. Even 1993’s Demolition Man is more of an action thriller that just happens to take place in a dystopian future.
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Frequency differ drastically from its ’90s predecessors mainly because it is set in each character’s present day. Although father and son are communicating in different years, they are both still very much grounded in reality. Not to mention, the entire movie is set on planet Earth. There are no space aliens here — just a father and son trying to reconnect.
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Gregory Hoblit’s first foray into sci-fi often goes unnoticed. Frequency was not only a product of its time but a benchmark for how much the genre had evolved. From cast to direction, writing to cinematography — lest we forget the movie’s flawless twist ending — this sci-fi adventure truly has it all (minus aliens).
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