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.

Every time I see the title Always in our DVD case I'm tempted to pull it out and watch it again, for perhaps the 10th time. This isn't normally something I's want to watch because it shows the lead character influencing and being around in spirit after his death. But there's something about this project that give is a warm part in my mind.I guess it's primarily the love story between Pete and Dorinda. But it's so much more than that. It's the light-heartedness, the humor, the tragedy, and filled with characters I'd be glad to call my friends.Personally I've never found that Spielberg knows how to portray love, but this film was an exception. He got it right. There is a depth to this story that lingers.I wouldn't have rated this 8/10 years ago, but it is that sense that it keeps drawing me back that makes me admit that I like it that much. I like Dryfus but he seems to be an actor without much breadth. However this may be his best movie.Holly Hunter is not only easy on the eyes but the way she speaks, with that slightly off normal voice, is very endearing. She is a terrific actress.Goodman doesn't seem like an actor, which is meant as a huge complement. He fills each part so well it doesn't seem like he's acting. Perfect.

My husband asked me to marry him after we saw this movie. He was a helicopter pilot and we had met at an air show. We both loved vintage aircraft so this seemed to be just the movie to see. We both laughed and cried so hard during the movie. Little was I to know that 13 years later I would lose my husband while he was flying. It took me some years to watch this movie again and I too cried through the whole thing. It is so personal to me. There are times when I feel, like Holly did, that I can hear my husband talking to me and guiding me. There is a lot to be learned from this picture about life and love. I highly recommend this picture.

During the 1970's, Steven Spielberg and Richard Dreyfuss made a great team. The intense little actor played a likable shark expert in JAWS and a suburban alien-obsessed dad in CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. And ten years later, they attempt to rekindle that magic. And although there's some good use of The Spielberg Touch… flowing camera-work weaving in and out of glorious special effects… this is a romance that tries too hard to pull heartstrings.Dreyfuss and sidekick John Goodman are firefighting pilots with a dangerous job. Dreyfuss is a daredevil who, with each venture, risks his life more than necessary. The first thirty minutes consists of Holly Hunter, Dreyfus's girlfriend who works ground control, and Goodman trying to tell their friend he's taking too many chances. But this occurs between sappy dialog and the building of a relationship that wasn't very special to begin with.That is, until Dreyfus is killed and, while wandering around a earth-based purgatory, New Age angel Audrey Hepburn gives him an afterlife mission: to help a handsome young pilot, Brad Johnson, earn his wings. But Johnson's true aim is to win over Holly Hunter – turning an interesting twist into a wasted subplot.Dreyfuss, as a ghost, seems more like a creepy stalker, placing thoughts into people's minds to maneuver their choices – especially Hunter, who he won't let go of. Meanwhile, he reluctantly helps Johnson… who unsuccessfully balances a suave yet dorky character… become a great pilot.Holly Hunter, while being a cute, spunky actress, is miscast as an ingénue every man desires. Goodman does his usual fat funny guy, but to an annoying level – he and everyone else seem to be playing for opening night audiences. And Dreyfus goes so overboard with forced sentimentality you'll wish the shark had got him or that those aliens never brought him home.The Ariel shots, while filmed beautifully (especially the pivotal death scene), are simply used as breaks from an overlong Hallmark Card. And Steven Spielberg would thankfully end his creative mid-life crisis with HOOK and get back to business at hand.And More Reviews: www.cultfilmfreaks.com