Simply Perfect

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

A remake of a 1943 romance drama, and also notable for Audrey Hepburn's final film appearance, Always is a low-key Steven Spielberg film that features a simple premise, carries a sentimental tone, and is finely steered by sincere performances from its faithful cast.Always tells the story of an aerial firefighter whose risky endeavours & daredevil acts deeply trouble his girlfriend. But when tragedy strikes on what was to be his final mission, he meets an angel who sends his spirit back to mentor a newer pilot who falls for his still grieving girlfriend.Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film is a straightforward romance drama about love, loss, grief & moving on that comes pierced with elements of fantasy. It is a small scale production that's tenderly crafted & nicely narrated but its saccharine treatment may not go well with every viewer.Emanating a sense of warmth, there are moments in it that are at times touching but their impact is short-lived. The acting department packs a fine cast in Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter, John Goodman & Brad Johnson, and all of them play their part earnestly, leaving not much to complain about.On an overall scale, Always is a sugar-coated love story that's well-made but the sentimental approach taken to bring it to life dilutes its overall effectiveness to quite an extent. Its aerial scenes & forest fire segments are masterly filmed but Spielberg plays too safe with other elements and doesn't risk much to make the movie stand out. A fine effort that's easily forgettable.

Just watch OK. This film has some very funny moments and some dramatic moments. It is my favorite Dreyfuss performance. Holly Hunter is beautiful, the Platters music is awesome. Its like the movie Ghost yet better character developed. Then there is a gift to see Audrey Hepburn in a role later in life. Honestly I would have stopped on the first line but the site demanded five.

Pete Sandich (Richard Dreyfuss), his buddy Al Yackey (John Goodman) and his girl Dorinda Durston (Holly Hunter) are all firefighting pilots. Dorinda has a premonition about impending doom for Pete. She convinces him to take a training job in Colorado but Pete is pressed into service one last time. Al's plane catches on fire and Pete saves him but loses his own life. In the afterlife, Pete meets Hap (Audrey Hepburn) who sends him back to the world to inspire people. Al is now running a school and Ted Baker (Brad Johnson) is the newbie. Dorinda is depressed working as an air traffic controller. Al takes her back with him to Colorado.Steven Spielberg is not known for romance. The comedy bits from Goodman is alright. I have no doubt that Spielberg wanted to stretch but he struggled to make this compelling. The movie starts well with some chemistry between Dreyfuss and Hunter. They have a good report. The problem is that the chemistry becomes a much more complicated thing. She basically has two loves and Johnson has no charisma at all. It becomes wonky although Dreyfuss keeps it from falling apart.

Considered to be one of Steven Spielberg's worst movies a massive flop at the time of release in 1989. I never got round to watching it until today when it was on TV, and in the absence of anything else on, I decided to give it a go. The likable cast is headed by Richard Dreyfuss as the spirit of a recently deceased expert pilot who mentors a newer pilot, while watching him fall in love with his surviving girlfriend.I can't praise the cast enough of this movie enough here. The still gorgeous Katherine Hepburn (in her last role), Holly Hunter and John Goodman offer stellar support to Dreyfuss who is on top form. A good movie for me is one that does not end with the credits, and this one stayed with me for a while after it's heartwarming conclusion. All the lead characters seem nice people to hang out with, and I'm not gonna lie, I shed a year at the end too. Given the talent involved, I'm surprised this failed to find an audience, and I think If it was sold it differently it might have done differently.