Indigenous societies have always envisioned time as a circle. Past, present, and future are all intertwined. This view explains their feelings of unity with departed ancestors and their feelings of obligation to future generations. Some of that same spirit is present in this psychological thriller directed by Gregory Hoblit.

Thanks to a mysterious shower of light from the aurora borealis, 36-year-old John Sullivan (Jim Caviezel) in 1999 makes contact with his father Frank (Dennis Quaid) in 1969 on an old ham radio. The fireman is surprised to hear that his boy has become a cop. John gets a chance to save his father from death in a warehouse fire by telling him to run in another direction in the blaze. Then Frank is called upon to save his wife Julia (Elizabeth Mitchell) from certain death at the hands of a serial killer who murders nurses. John, who is dealing with the unsolved series of murders, guides him through this dangerous mission.

Although the screenplay writer Toby Emmerlich morphs this compelling family drama into a crime thriller, the real emotional payoff is the father and son relationship that is deepened and enriched. Almost every son will identify with John's chance to express his love in word and deed. Since both of these men share an obsession with baseball, sports fans will enjoy the proceedings as well.