Don't Let Go (2019) * * 1/2

Directed by:  Jacob Estes

Starring:  David Oyelowo, Storm Reid, Mykelti Williamson, Alfred Molina, Bryan Tyree Henry,
Byron Mann, Shinelle Azoroh

Don't Let Go is a generically titled time-bending fantasy which calls to mind the superior Frequency (2000).    Both movies deal with the loss of a loved one who died violently, and figure a way to align the cosmos to allow the living person to somehow communicate with the dead person via technology.  No ghosts, thank goodness.

Frequency wasn't simply a masterfully crafted thriller, but the relationship between a modern-day cop and his long-dead father over ham radio airwaves is at its heart.    Because of this, Frequency worked magically.    Don't Let Go strives, but doesn't establish the emotional arc other time travel fantasies have.    It is more interested in solving its whodunit element, which shouldn't have been too difficult since I've listed practically anyone in the movie who had a speaking part.

The story focuses on Los Angeles detective Jack Radcliff (Oyelowo), who has a close relationship with his niece Ashley (Reid) and a not-so-close relationship with his brother Garrett (Henry), who may or may not be abusing drugs again and putting his family in danger by associating with shady people who drop by the house.    One night, Ashley and her parents are found brutally slain.   It appears to be an open-and-shut case of murder/suicide, but Jack thinks there may be more to the story.    His grief combined with his job duties force him to examine the crime scene much more closely.

Weeks later, Jack is contacted on his cell phone by Ashley.    Yes, the same one who was murdered weeks before.    How is this possible?   Jack soon determines Ashley is calling from a time before the murders, and he may able to help stop them from ever happening.   What happens next is both mildly engrossing and at times needlessly complicated.    The movie ends satisfactorily enough, but what's missing is the heart. 

Oyelowo is a solid center; a lonely detective whose only meaningful relationships in his life are snatched away from him in one form or another.   Storm Reid is the perky teen who realizes the danger she's in both before and after her slaying (after to us and Jack anyway, you know what I mean).   At first, I noticed how empty the streets were in Los Angeles, which made it significantly easier for someone to chase another with a loaded shotgun on foot, but in a way this adds to the effect while limiting the potential suspects who may have committed the murders.   I haven't seen Los Angeles this underpopulated since Her.