I found a 1969 Mets World Series Program among my old papers, and while I'm not a huge baseball fan, the nostalgia factor was strong. I was only 2 at the time, so I don't remember that World Series. Frequency uses all the best elements of that baseball history classic as a highly effective backdrop for an interesting tearjerker/thriller.

The story opens with the lovely glow of the Northern Lights over the low-slung Craftsman houses of Queens County, New York. It's 1969, and a NYC fireman played by Dennis Quaid is performing a daring rescue of a maintenance worker. After this show of heroism, he heads home to dinner with his wife and son. Domestic bliss is displayed in a manner that should seem saccharine, but (just barely) escapes. I mean, people really did (and still do) live in the manner shown, spilling tomato sauce, dancing in the kitchen, teaching kids to ride bikes without training wheels. It's not all slammed doors and shouting matches, and maybe it's a sad commetary on our society that this seems a bit unreal. Here, it works to set the stage.

Fast forward to 1999. 30 years later, the Northern Lights have reappeared over Queens. NYC policeman played by Jim Caviezel is getting dumped by his live-in girlfriend. As she tearfully packs her stuff, he expresses disbelief. I didn't get this either. Just because he's drunk and sweaty and there are open bottles of scotch all over the house, and, oh by the way, he's got his loaded police-issue gun laying around, why would she want to leave? Hmm... Anyway, off she goes. He returns to find his friend and neighbor Gordo watching TV in his living room. After a bit of sloppy reminiscing, out comes his Dad's old ham radio.

PLOT DETAILS FOLLOW

Out of curiousity more than anything else, he plugs it in and turns it on. And next thing you know he's talking to dear old departed Dad. It sounds hokey, I know, but it's done well. He gives his father information that saves his life. The unfortunate consequence is that a serial killer is allowed to continue murdering nurses. Guess who's on the victim list? Mom! Not only that, but 9 other nurses are killed. Using some rather authentic-feeling police techniques, he enlists his father's help in preventing the murders.

The dialogue sounds real, and is enhanced by some really authentic New York accents on the part of the main characters. I was most surprised by this; a New York speech pattern is difficult to fake. (Remember how awful Steve Martin sounded in "My Blue Heaven"?) The special effects are minimal, but done well and with good results. Dennis Quaid's firefighter is portrayed with humanity and zip. Jim Caviezel's alcoholic, bitter cop is believable, and introduces a much-needed note of realism. The supporting cast, from the fiesty Mom to the creepy murderer all make the whole just a little greater than the sum of its' parts. The plot works, and the sets - one nightclub scene is straight out of Austin Powers - are simple and effective. The underlying theme of baseball-as-filial-love is just present enough for fans to appreciate, and not enough to grate on a non-fan. If you have a single ounce of red American blood, or just like baseball a little, you'll find it heartwarming.

Make no mistake - we're not talking Merchant-Ivory here. We're not even talking HBO special. But we are talking a decent evening's entertainment and escapism.

One flaw is the wrap-up. You want things to work out for these characters, but it's just a bit much. However, the ride is worth a bit of sentimental claptrap at the end. This is a good date movie.

And, no, guys, I'll never sell my 1969 World Series program. Not for a million bucks.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older