Always (1989)

You won't be disappointed!

Touches You

Simply A Masterpiece

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Always has a lot of special things about it, a few of which I'm going to name in this review.It is these details (subtle as they are) which make it the gem that it is (although I don't think the fact that this is a classic is recognized by very many people).A softer, more lighter version of Ghost, as well as a remake of a 1943 movie called A Guy Named Joe, Always is set in the world of firefighting, and daredevil pilots.Peter Sandich, a.k.a Pete St. Pete (Richard Dreyfuss), and his best friend Al Yackey, a.k.a Al The Pal (John Goodman), have been flying together for years putting out fires in the forests of Colorado.The only rift between them has been Pete's dangerous flying which also causes problems between him, and his girl Dorinda (Holly Hunter) who knows his number's up.When the movie opens, Pete barely makes it back to the base on an empty fuel tank, stating sarcastically that he's been "a little rusty on panic."Dorinda is furious; Al tries to persuade him that maybe it's time to quit, and get a job doing something safe like helping pilots get their license in a place called Flat Rock.In what will turn out to be their last night together, Pete gets Dorinda's birthday wrong, and throws her a party, in what is really one of the nicest scenes I've ever noticed in a movie.A young pilot named Ted Baker (Brad Johnson) just happens to be present, and falls in love with Dorinda even though she's with someone else.The next day, after being persuaded by Dorinda to take the job in Flat Rock, Pete dies saving Al's life.He then encounters an angel named Hap (Audrey Hepburn), who informs him that he is in fact dead, and that six months have gone by since his passing.Dorinda isn't over it. Al isn't over it. And it's up to Pete to help them find closure, as well as give inspiration to a pilot, just as he was given inspiration.The pilot chosen to be his protege is none other than Ted Baker, still hopelessly in love with Dorinda even though he only saw her the one time.This makes things very difficult for Pete who can't bear to see her fall in love with someone else.Always is an extremely well done movie. It's classy, it's funny, it's heartfelt, and sad.It's a worthy Swan Song to Audrey Hepburn who is, in a sense, the movie's crowning glory, as the quiet and graceful angel Hap.It's fitting that her last role should be as an angel.Another thing that's great is the chemistry between Holly Hunter, and Richard Dreyfuss which shines throughout the entire movie.Also, the presence of John Goodman, who gives the movie it's humour, and levity.And Brad Johnson whom I've never seen in anything else, and was excellent.I have great respect for Stephen Spielberg for directing this movie, and admire the script which he co-wrote.One of the best things about this movie was how it depicted the afterlife.None of these ridiculous dress-ups, and special effects disasters.They kept it simple, honest, and to the point.A really wonderful love story. Far better than the original could've ever beenOriginally, Review #89

Movie Review: "Always" (1989)After the adventure-action Hollywood-machine "Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade" starring Harrison Ford & Sean Connery, Steven Spielberg delivers his first two in one year picture, a never-the-less ambitious remake of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presentation of 1943 "A Guy Named Joe" starring Spencer Tracy (1900-1967) directed by Victor Fleming (1889-1949), where a dead pilot returns as guardian angel.Director Steven Spielberg takes the script from Dalton Trumbo (1905-1976) sets the scenario from the World-War-2 times at a contemporary U.S. American forest firefighting airfield, where actor Richard Dreyfuss takes on the role as guardian angel for her loved-one portrayed by Holly Hunter, in amazing singles scene of dance and chance in a white dress, when moments of "Always" really create the magic alongside atmospheric cinematography captured by Mikael Salomon, known for shooting visuals for James Cameron ("The Abyss" 1989) and Ron Howard ("Backdraft" 1991).Casting director Lora Kennedy assembles a functional supporting cast with Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993), who mentors Dreyfuss' character Pete to care for his loved one in the afterlife, John Goodman as buddy character Al, always there to share into fair-time entertainment for the audience, but then utterly mis-cast an all-too slick beautiful looking actor Brad Johnson as Ted Baker, the substitute pilot arriving at the firefighting airfield destined to win Hunter's character Dorinda's heart.In the end director Spielberg fulfills his dream of remaking, yes even improving the original Fleming MGM black-and-white picture, but nevertheless should have agreed only to direct by realizing the role of Ted Baker with the first choice Tom Cruise at the age of 27, who instead played biopic character Ron Kovic in "Born on the Fourth of July".Copyright 2018 Cinemajesty Entertainments LLC

Always is one of Spielberg's best. It's an all-round great movie. Based on the WWII air force story, A Guy Named Joe with Spencer Tracy and Irene Dunne, it follows the story closely but adds a great touch of humor throughout and is far sweeter than the original. Among other things, Audrey Hepburn makes a better angel than Lionel Barrymore, plus John Goodman brings a great big bouncing kick of life to a role that was played so straight by Ward Bond.Frankly the original seems almost like a very early draft of the remake and not quite ready to go. Setting this version in a fire pilot setting is perfect. It is a far better scenario and the whole idea simply works better.I watch a lot of movies and own a ton of DVDs / Bluerays. I rank this film among my fifty top favorites.

I've loved this film for 25 years (it celebrates it's 25th Anniversary) how time flies! (sorry couldn't resist)This film works or fails on it's 4 main characters...and god are they good!Richard Dreyfuss is an American Acting Legend who deserves more credit and his paring with Holly Hunter might NOT have been many people's first choice as a romantic pairing but boy does it work, she's a pocket rocket firecracker and he is at his most handsome ever!Then there's John Goodman as his good friend 'Al' another terrific performance and Brad Johnson as Ted Baker, without these two actors and characters working it might just have fell flat (in fact it soars, sorry I must stop this!)Audrey Hepburn (Hap) gets a magical, beautiful, final movie cameo (THANKS Steven) and she is PITCH PERFECT."YOUR A GOOD MAN PETE...WE DON'T SEND BACK THE OTHER KIND"The Beginning of the film is TERRIFIC...and sets everything up (he's reckless, she's scared to death, Al is the joker in the middle) it is a film brilliantly directed by Mr Spielberg, beautifully photographed with colours and lighting that will stay with you.The first time you see Dorinda (Holly Hunter) in THAT dress!!! well if your a guy you'll want that dance too...that is some dress and this is some woman!Events happen and not soon after Pete is observing, in one scene he sees a guy brushing away the dust and in a light hearted way smiles and says "I think your a funny looking guy", a few seconds pass and this guy is then seen looking into the cars mirror and sadness falls upon his face, yup Pete realises he has the power of suggestion over people (but the power of love? well that's hard to control)"GIVE HIM A CHANCE AL"That's a line Pete would regret (at least for a short time)The old guy (that can hear Pete) you'll know from "HOME ALONE"When Pete says "GOD I WISH WE'D HAVE MET SOONER" to Dorinda many of you like me will be thinking the very same....I never did meet my Dorinda so if you meet yours 'Hang on Tight'Now I'm a guy that loves ACTION, SCI-FI, HORROR and ADVENTURE FILMS but if a films a good 'un then it's good one no matter what genre and this is so GOOD. Maybe I'm getting older but there are numerous times throughout this film that get the tears flowing...THE TALK between Pete and Dorinda at night especially when Pete tells her what's going to happen.DORINDA WALKING AWAY from the PLANE...not knowing what Pete is saying to her and she kind of knowing what was about to happen...she knows!AL visiting DORINDA in her apartment on the edge of a runway.And finally...THE PLANE TALK FINALE (watch Holly's eyes!!! this is some acting! and how she does not tear before is truly incredible!)If you are not trying to hold it together at these points well I just don't know!This is an amusing, thrilling, funny, heartbreaking and wonderful feel-good movie with so many good moments, many trash it because of Mr Spielberg's name attached (shame on them)Having read so many reviews here I was especially taken by two, one whom had lost her pilot husband and another who had lost her brother, my heart goes out to them but it just shows the power of film.Scores as low as 2 and 3!!! these folks have no idea! Overall rating of 6.4!!! OK I guess the people have spoken and that's the true reflection but I disagree with this strongly.A STEVEN SPIELBERG Gem that sadly is forgotten but is ready to be re-discovered.Romantic Love movies don't come much better than thisTHIS FILM WILL LIFT THE HEART IF YOU ALLOW IT.UPDATE: It was a delight to recently see Mr Spielberg (yup someone whose movies I have grown up with and is my favourite director) on Film 2015 and upon being asked which film he thought of his was perhaps underrated he mentioned "ALWAYS" YES!!! my gosh he's NOT WRONG, to my eyes it's a CLASSIC, BEAUTIFUL Movie and i'll thank him for this forever!