Always

Rating:
Summary: Well...
Review: Richard Dreyfuss is a pilot, and kind of a wild card when it comes to his fire fighter flying. This concerns the people around him, girlfriend Holly Hunter and best friend John Goodman, but Dreyfuss shruggs it off because this is what he does. Finally Hunter convinces him he should take a job in Flat Rock, Colorado training pilots to do what he does. Unfortunately he never makes it to Flat Rock, at least not in the flesh. Not trying to give too much away, Dreyfuss comes back as a sort of guardian angel, forced to deal with two things: his love for Hunter and his duty to a young pilot she falls for.

Always is a well made picture. From Spielberg we expect nothing less, though I think his name hinders this film**. The cinematography and the score are excellent as in all his films, as are the action sequences involving the planes. However, the acting is the strongest part of this film. This is the kind of role Dreyfuss shines in. His fusion of wit and sincere emotion is wonderfull and he delivers some difficult monologues which would seem trite is lesser hands. Holly Hunter and John Goodman are excellent as the people dealing with his loss. Also Audrey Hepburn makes her final screen appearance in two scenes as an angel (how fitting).

**I have this theory about Always. It was almost universally panned by critics, but I think the criticism is directed more at Spielberg than at the film. Certainly Spielberg has made better pictures, and perhaps this film was made on a grander scale than it needed to be, but I think if any other director had done this film it would not have received so much scrutiny. But, I also believe in the hands of a lesser director this movie would not be as good. Always combines action, humor, genuine sorrow, and happiness , and it combines them well, which is no small achievement. Spielberg made a good film, let it go.

Rating:
Summary: An wonderful fantasy drama.
Review: When a daredevil pilot (Oscar-Winner:Richard Dreyfuss), who died, after saving the life of his best friend (John Goodman) and leave behind his darling fiancée (Holly Hunter) until he comes back as a guardian angel to give advice to his Successor (Brad Johnson) but his Successor ended up falling in love with his fiancee, he still loves.

Directed by Four Time Oscar-Winner:Steven Spielberg (Empire of the Sun, Schindler`s List, A.I.-Artifical Intelligence) remade this from a 1947 film named A Guy named Joe. Dreyfuss is in Top-Form here. John Goodman is good in this supporting role, so is Holly Hunter as the second lead of the film. Two-Time Oscar-Winner:Audrey Hepburn (in her last film) is also great as Dreyfuss Guide. DVD has an sharp non-anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) transfer and an excellent Digitally Remastered:Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. This is a touching, funny, life-affrming and lightweight. Fine music score by John Williams (Fiddler on the Roof). Grade:A-.

Rating:
Summary: winner of the best bartendar in a movie
Review: This movie is the best for many reasons. The most important reason is because it contains the winner for the "best bartendar in a movie". It isn't a major role however it is a winning role and worth seeing just for that. Watch for the bartendar who asks the infamous question "is that with or without an olive?".
Loren K Smothers has been recognized for his talent in this movie. This was the last movie Loren K Smothers and Audrey Hepburn appeared in before their untimely passing. Take time to watch this movie and think about your life. Do you have someone watching over you, like the character Richard Dryfuss played? This movie makes you think about the after life and how our love ones continue to communicate with us after they are gone.

Rating:
Summary: No words...
Review: This, movie, to describe, there are no words. To many people it may semm a "low point in stielbergh's career', but to everbody else, it is the high point. This is a movie you will rent again and again until you finally buy it. the characters are perfect, and they match who they play, it is just a great allround movie

Rating:
Summary: Still one of my favorites
Review: I just re-watched Always - again. The cast is marvelous. The movie and script are memorable and touching. "It's not the dress, it's how you see me." or Dorinda shopping in her sleep or Audrey Hepburn playing an Angel. This movie is one of my favorites and I rewatch it again and again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Mr Spielberg, is that you?
Review: "Always", starring Richard Dreyfuss as Pete Sandich, Holly Hunter as Dorinda Durston, Brad Johnson as Ted Baker, John Goodman as Al Yackey with a special appearance by the late Audrey Hepburn as an "angel" Hap. Dreyfuss plays a firefighter who lives life on the edge, flying his plane precariously into danger and causing his girlfriend much grief in the process. He soon comes to grief in a horrific accident and is sent back by an "angel" to help out a young pilot (Brad Johnson).

I really did not enjoy this movie. Being a Spielberg film and one that I was not familiar with, I gave it a shot. This was a fairly weak effort, Holly Hunter does not make a good leading lady at all. I like Richard Dreyfuss, but his creepy stalking of his old girlfriend was just that - creepy. I like Brad Johnson, he's an ok actor and he did well with the poor script he was given. The film was very melodramatic and Hunter delivered her lines as if she was in a high school play.

Audrey Hepburn was still as lovely as ever playing the character "Hap" who sends Dreyfuss' back. The writer's understanding of the afterlife and angels was very poor though, (I know it's only a fantasy film). I have seen the original with Spencer Tracey but did not find that memorable at all either.

Allow me to go up on my soapbox for a moment (cause I feel like it). Yes I know it's just a movie but it got me thinking. You will not learn anything of the afterlife from watching Hollywood movies. This one, like Ghost, show that if you are what the world considers a "good person", you will go to a good place when you die. In Ghost, the baddies got dragged of by demons when they died whilst the goodies went off to God. In reality, it's only through Jesus' death and sacrifice that we are made ready for heaven and those who live in wilful sin (such as Dreyfuss and Hunter shacked up in a fornicating relationship), show no true faith or repentance and would not enter heaven. As far as good or bad people, only Jesus was a perfect human being, everyone else is sinful and needs God's forgiveness which is available to all who will sincerly come to Him and ask Him for it, (you don't need to go through a priest either, there is only one go-between, his name is Jesus). All of us have broken God's ten commandments, (the first one is to love Him with all our hearts, who has done that?).

In conclusion, Always is a mediocre film that could have been great had the script been more interesting and even theologically sound (...)that everyone goes to heaven and that there are many ways to God. Check out a christian movie "escape from hell" if you want to see a film that is based on fact and that shows the afterlife as it could be. (...)

Rating:
Summary: ALWAYS--An Unfairly Maligned Movie
Review: A loose reworking of Victor Fleming's 1943 World War II drama A GUY NAMED JOE, ALWAYS has to rank as perhaps director Steven Spielberg's most unfairly maligned movie. Even though it has a very old-fashioned feel updated to the late 1980s, this is still a fine movie done with real poignancy. This is nowhere near the bottom of the Spielberg canon; that dubious distinction belongs to "1941" and HOOK.

Richard Dreyfuss stars as Pete, a dare-devil aerial firefighter with a penchant for taking a lot of unneccesary chances in his line of work. As much "fun" as he has, he is worrying not only his partner Al (John Goodman), but also his one true love Dorinda (Holly Hunter). After much pressure, including Hunter's threat to leave him, he agrees to settle down and become an instructor for up-and-coming flyers in Colorado after one last mission. But on that mission, in the process of saving Goodman when his plane catches fire, Dreyfuss loses his life when his aircraft explodes. Goodman is horrified, and Hunter devastated.

In heaven (or a burned-out section of forest), Dreyfuss is met by a guardian angel (Audrey Hepburn, in her final role). He comes back to earth as a spirit, to help a rookie fire-fighter (Brad Johnson) learn the tricks of the trade. Johnson does this and more; unfortunately, he also falls head over heels for Hunter, and Dreyfuss feels the pain of having to watch this, not being able to let go. But Hepburn gives him very good counsel, and he is redeemed by saving Hunter from a fiery death in a flight through a nightmarish firestorm.

One of Spielberg's most touching movies, ALWAYS was unfairly castigated by critics as being heavy-handed and manipulative. I, however, am extremely cynical of such critics who only analyze certain films and don't really FEEL anything. This is a film of pure emotions, ranging from comedy, both dark and slapstick, to tear-jerking drama to a suspense and terror-laden climax. The cinematography and the special effects are typical for Spielberg--convincing and top notch. Spielberg, however, wisely, does not stint on the drama. Dreyfuss and Hunter are excellent, as are Goodman and Hepburn. Johnson, often heavily trashed, does a fairly good job with his role, complete with his John Wayne imitation (specifically borrowing a line from John Ford's THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE).

A typically fine score by John Williams, which presages his work for Spielberg's controversial 2001 sci-fi drama A.I.: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, tops off ALWAYS, one of the most misunderstood movies of recent times. For poignant romantic drama, this is an essential movie, a true must-see.

Rating:
Summary: An wonderful fantasy drama.
Review: When a daredevil pilot (Oscar-Winner:Richard Dreyfuss), who died, after saving the life of his best friend (John Goodman) and leave behind his darling fiancée (Holly Hunter) until he comes back as a guardian angel to give advice to his Successor (Brad Johnson) but his Successor ended up falling in love with his fiancee, he still loves.

Directed by Four Time Oscar-Winner:Steven Spielberg (Empire of the Sun, Schindler`s List, A.I.-Artifical Intelligence) remade this from a 1947 film named A Guy named Joe. Dreyfuss is in Top-Form here. John Goodman is good in this supporting role, so is Holly Hunter as the second lead of the film. Two-Time Oscar-Winner:Audrey Hepburn (in her last film) is also great as Dreyfuss Guide. DVD has an sharp non-anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) transfer and an excellent Digitally Remastered:Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. This is a touching, funny, life-affrming and lightweight. Fine music score by John Williams (Fiddler on the Roof). Grade:A-.

Rating:
Summary: The air is full of surprises
Review: Now this I stumbled across at the library. I didn't expect much of it, there were only three reasons I got it. One: I really like flying. Two: it had Richard Dreyfuss in it, one of my favorite underrated actors, and Three: An appearance by the lovable Audrey Hepburn. After watching it, I knew I had to have it. You'll like it too. The acting is superb by some of the greatest actors of our time. A surprising movie that will definitely keep your interest soaring.

Fires are raging out of control in the forest. As one of the particapants of the containing of the fires, Pete (the likeable Richard Dreyfuss) is torn between his true loves, his tomboy girlfriend, Dorrinda (the beautiful Holly Hunter), and his career. His choices would be made too soon. When his friend Al (John Goodman, hilarious as ever) is in danger when his plane engine catches fire, Pete heads for the rescue, only to get killed himself.

Not aware that anything has happened to him, he meets up with a strange yet kind angel named Hap (Audrey Hepburn's last role) who tells him what really happens. Pete has one more duty to do before leaving Earth. Hap gives gim an assignment, six months after his death, of helping a rookie fire fighter pilot named Ted (Brad Johnson in his first movie) in the ways of getting the job. Things don't go too well for Ted, for it is obvious he has a lot of work to do after dumping red fire retardent all over Al. Things begin to go for Ted, but bad for Pete as he begins to fall in love with Dorrinda. Pete soon realizes that he has to help Ted with his blossoming relationship with Dorrinda, his firefighting carrer, and that it's not his time anymore, and that life must go on, for them anyway.

I loved the movie from the start and immediately purchased it. Some people may not like it, but it is their choice. I will Always love this movie, and I suggest it to anyone who needs a little drama, and laughter rolled together in a movie. 5 stars to a great Spielberg movie once again.

Rating:
Summary: winner of the best bartendar in a movie
Review: This movie is the best for many reasons. The most important reason is because it contains the winner for the "best bartendar in a movie". It isn't a major role however it is a winning role and worth seeing just for that. Watch for the bartendar who asks the infamous question "is that with or without an olive?".
Loren K Smothers has been recognized for his talent in this movie. This was the last movie Loren K Smothers and Audrey Hepburn appeared in before their untimely passing. Take time to watch this movie and think about your life. Do you have someone watching over you, like the character Richard Dryfuss played? This movie makes you think about the after life and how our love ones continue to communicate with us after they are gone.