From the Frequency trailer and the initial images of the exploding sunspot, I thought I was in store for formula science fiction fare. How wrong I was. Although the video stores will eventually classify this film under science fiction, it is so much more and goes across many other genres: action thriller, family, and even sports. I haven’t had my eyes moistened this much in a science fiction vehicle since Spock’s ultimate sacrifice in Star Trek II. Even though parts of Frequency reminded me of other time-travel fare, like Back to the Future or the “City on the Edge of Forever” episode of the original Star Trek TV series, I enjoyed it more for the father-son relationships that parallel October Sky and Field of Dreams.

I quickly realized I was also in store for an action thriller; after the opening credits (with clips from “Crimson and Clover” and “Suzie Q”), we are introduced to heroic firefighter Frank Sullivan, who performs a Mission Impossible-style rescue on the George Washington bridge.

Director Gregory Hoblit sets us up for the tearjerker scenes when the movie takes us to Frank’s home to meet his family (with Martha and the Mandellas performing "Heat Wave" in the background). It is October 10, 1969. After Frank puts on Elvis’ "Suspicious Minds" and dances with his loving wife in front of his admiring 6-year-old son, he gives Johnny a bike-riding lesson. This scene has significance because signifies the future bonding that'll make you cry.

We next see the Northern lights, which serve as a transition to October 10, 1999. We're in the same house, but now little Johnny is a 36-year-old policeman having "issues" with his significant other. After she walks out, John’s childhood friend Gordy walks in with his son, and they end up breaking out Frank’s old ham radio.

This is where the “Twilight Zone” plot begins. John receives an incoming signal from an old-timer who also used to live in Queens—at the same address.

Remember how I mentioned that this is also a sports movie?

The old-timer still thinks it's Oct. 10, 1969, and he's anticipating the upcoming World Series with his Amazing Mets! Of course John knows the whole history of this series, since he had tickets to the opening game (the same day his dad died while attempting a heroic rescue in a blazing warehouse). A number of highlights from this World Series are recalled as essential parts of the incredible plot.

There are numerous plot holes in Frequency’s time travel that are easy to point out. It would be difficult to untangle, though, much like trying to unscramble The Matrix. Other movies have explored the theory that time travel changes history, and Frequency is well aware of this convention. Despite this knowledge, the plot doesn’t hold up logically. Without spoiling the movie, I can safely reveal that the most implausible scene has both father and son simultaneously fighting the same serial killer. I suggest that you not even bother to explain this— save your brain cells for more worthwhile pursuits.

From the trailer, you realize that father and son are drawn together to save wife and mother. As long as they can keep the radio connection, they can work together to thwart this psychotic murderer and save lives (including their own) through time.

By suspending belief the plot works and is enjoyable, but that is not why this movie grabbed my attention. Unlike many similar films, Frequency made me actually care about Frank and his “Little Chief.” It’s the Field of Dreams father-son déjà vu thing done with a twist. Even though my father is still around, we had enough personal differences to help me relate to this film.

Frank gets to re-do his bicycle lesson, only this time show Johnny that he is behind him and will always be with him. Dang! My eyes are watering again as I write this, so I can imagine how close this film will strike other men who have either lost their dads or have had issues with them—and I think this will be nearly every man.

Screenwriter Toby Emmerich (the older brother of the actor playing Gordy) has put together a tight script, despite the confusing plot holes. I can only imagine seeing him trying to spackle those mistakes, only to decide it wasn’t worth the bother--and it’s not. This movie deals with relationships more than anything, and Emmerich gives us plenty to savor. If you’ve ever had things you wanted to say to your father when he’s still in this world or the next, the bonding that takes place here across this time warp will warm your heart.

There are numerous subtleties that hold the movie together. Weaving the baseball motif into the plot is cleverly done, reminiscent of Field of Dreams. We learn that Johnny had to give up his favorite sport because of an injury; however, like many other fathers and sons, they both still love the hometown team, and this connection integrates smoothly with the plot. Another humorous touch I enjoyed involved the word “Yahoo!” that 36-year-old John shares with his boyhood buddy.

There are also some excellent visual touches that communicate even more than the dialog can do. One example relies on the view of the George Washington Bridge from the house. This serves to remind us of Frank’s heroic character long after the opening harrowing sequence.

Hoblit has demonstrated that he knows how to construct a thriller with memorable characters, since he previously directed Primal Fear. This time, he shows that he knows how to juxtapose scenes effectively, as well as pull at the heartstrings. I especially liked the way he contrasts the old radio technology with modern communication devices (cell phone and Internet references). He also does a nice job taking us back and forth in history when father and son inadvertently change it. I’m still not going to analyze how this holds up logically because it doesn’t. To enjoy this film, just accept its premise.

By suspending disbelief, I allowed Frequency to grab me. It gave me people to care about and root for. It is possible that it could be too intense for some people. Just when I thought everything was under control, a new complication would pop up and I’d hear my inner voice exclaim “Oh, shit!” There is also great emotional intensity as we witness various configurations of who lives and who dies, and the expected reciprocal “I love you” statements between father and son.

If you have a difficult time handling roller coaster thrillers, or if you have serious issues with your father, you may want to wait for the video to come out. Then you can watch in the safety of your own living room with a ready supply of Kleenex. Frequency is good enough to make me see it again on the big screen and purchase the video or DVD.