Always | | Cast : | Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter | | Director : | Steven Spielberg | | Studio : | Universal Studios | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen | | Released Date : | December 22, 1989 | | DVD Released Date : | April 01, 2003 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | July 29, 2005 | | Summary | "They...asked me how I knew..." | Content
 | Spielberg deserves a fresh look. I open with that because as I read the decidedly mixed thoughts on this and other films of his, I notice the same thought over and over again. People who review Spielberg usually want to pigeonhole him into a type: the ET-warm-and-fuzzy-alien children's storyteller versus the special-effects-heavy-but-rather-empty-plot dreamer. All the while there is the generic whine of 'why doesn't he ever try to do something else (SCHINDLER'S LIST notwithstanding)?' Then when he does, as evidenced here, there are wails of dissatisfaction that he tried to do something over his head. Oy.
It's so silly to label and categorize a filmmaker so much. ALWAYS is, first and foremost, a love story. A remake of an earlier film to be sure, but even this 1989 treatment looks and feels nostalgic with its amber-tinted cinematography, the sentimental presentation of the devoted fighter pilots, and the appearance of the ageless, magical Audrey Hepburn (sharp as a tack in her last film as a bright-eyed, no-nonsense angel). All of Hepburn's scenes with Richard Dreyfuss are wonderful (especially the first one when she tries- slightly befuddled- to explain his state of existence), as is the leitmotiv of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes-" used in two dance sequences with Dreyfuss and Holly Hunter: one at a charming birthday party, and the other in a bewitching mourning sequence. And once again, John Goodman rises to the occasion as the best friend anyone could ever have. Just saw it on TCM, rounding out a July 2005 tribute to Ms. Hepburn. You should check it out. |
| Rating | | | Date | April 29, 2005 | | Summary | Spielbergs' worst? | Content
| Well, it didn't appeal to me personally -the story, the characters, no, usually I am such a big fan of Steven Spielbergs' various masterpieces, and despite "Always" I'm really impressed with his talent of making such different movies, and so well. Jaws, Close Encounters, Schindlers' List, Minority Report -you name it! The man is a genious, no argue there -but this movie simply hasn't got the touch nor the style. |
| Rating | | | Date | September 11, 2004 | | Summary | What A Beautiful Movie! | Content
| When I saw this movie, I immidiatley got close to Richard Dreyfuss's character. However, his wonderful life with his soon to be wife and best friend(John Goodman) quickly ends as Dreyfuss's plane blows up like the forests that he use to put out. Just when you think that this is the last time you see Dreyfuss he comes back as great as ever. However as a spirit to guide a totally different pilot. Richard Dreyfuss then observes his past life with his wife drift away as she falls for the man of whom he is watching over. However, his wife does not seem to want to let Dreyfuss go away from her. This movie is a painfull one to watch but the fact that somewhere inside of Dreyfuss's wife tells her that he is right here and will be there in her heart always. |
| Rating | | | Date | September 01, 2004 | | Summary | Charming Movie of an Honest Spirit | Content
| Wildland fire air-attack pilot dies in an airplane explosion and is dispatched back to earth by an angel to mentor a rookie pilot. Pete (Richard Dreyfuss)is the spiritual coach and he is not entirely confident about his mission, but he gives it a try and soon gets more than he bargained for when the girlfriend (Holly Hunter) he left behind begins to fall in love with his student. Pete tries to derail the affair with his angelic power, but instead learns about true love when his girlfriend contemplates death in a suicidal air mission to rescue smokejumpers trapped by a massive wildland fire.
This is one of Steven Spielbergs's more humble movies, a contemporary remake of "A Guy Named Joe," and it is a charming and humorous story. John Goodman is Pete's lovable best friend as the air-attack school commander, and Audrey Hepburn has a very nice role as Pete's supervisory angel. The movie features a beautiful backdrop of forest wilderness with wildland fires combatted by smokejumpers and World War II-era attack bombers. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 22, 2004 | | Summary | A film which promised much more ! | Content
| It is a real pity that such interesting initial premise has fallen in common places without creative flight.
You can notice this work as a crossroad between the wings of desire and Heaven can wait but with a great difference the movie still remains in a contemplative mood and the worst of all : it has not any substance .
The tears can not become in a river . I still wonder how this film has the sign of Spielberg .
I love Holy Hunter acting . She loads the screen with her expressive force , but Dreyfus does not seem run parallel to her . Hunter as Frances Mc Dormand need a stronger presence actoral due her inner spontaneous force . We can think in that age in Daniel Day Lewis , James Caan , Ray Liotta , Tom Berenger or Robert Downey Jr , the results could be different .
Brad Johnson looks inexpressive, and James Spader, Rutger Hauger or William Hurt were perfect for this demanding role .
The script is too obvious and unnecesary tearful. You notice the absence of secondary characters and parallel secondary lines which supported the story . To make that poetic film you need mich more than simply special effects ; you need poetic tapture and commitment .
The original idea was very promising . The hommage to the brave flying fireman simply does not appear .
Audrey Hepburn made her last appearance in screen and after watching all this film you miss her undoubtly and I would have wished a best result in this sense .
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