Always (1989)

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

The cast was fabulous. This was Audrey Hepburn's last appearance on the big screen as well, in a role as "Hap", the angel who Pete (Richard Dreyfuss) first encounters after dying from his plane exploding. Holly Hunter shines as Dorinda, Pete's girlfriend, who tries to come to terms with Pete dying. John Goodman is also funny and lovable as Al, one of the pilot trainers. Steven Spielberg's tale of love defying death is a good premise for a story and he does very well. Richard Dreyfus plays the fire pilot who dies trying to save some forest fire men who are trapped by a large blaze. He is recruited by Audrey Hepburn to return to earth and act as a guardian angel/trainer for another young pilot. Little does he know, that he is also there to help his girlfriend (Holly Hunter) and friend (John Goodman) come to terms with his sudden death and move on with their lives. Some good performances from the main players and a joy to see Hepburn on the big screen again in this small cameo.There's a lot of room for emotional moments in this film, so don't forget the tissues. I love the whole idea of the film. It's great to watch Richard Dreyfuss weave his magic with a touching script. And John Goodman is the perfect buddy for, first Pete and then Dorina. In the end we have to forgive Ted for wanting to take Pete's girl. It is hard because we can see Pete is still desperately in love with her. But when he turns the corner and starts pulling for Ted, we can't help but follow. A good solid movie that will leave you with a smile, if not some tears, on your face.Overall rating: 9 out of 10.

After Indiana Jones 3 The Master of Film tried something new a romantic drama about remembering the ones we love and the pain of losing precious memories but also maintaining hope that the one we will always love for eternity will always remember you and love you always! That is the message and theme of this beautiful heartbreaking subtle masterpiece which is so underrated and forgotten that it almost feels like it does not exist to many people but it does but many people hate it because they are not used to seeing Steven Spielberg direct this kind of film which is a shame because it has a subliminal message and essence of love and thoughtfulness and forgiveness because maybe we are not there for the ones we love and the time we would all like to spend with one another is too much or we all get carried away with jobs or work commitments which takes away the time we have with our loved ones so does death in a way and the film explores the themes of what happens after we die do we just enter a void of nothing or do remain a helpful part of the next generation do we support and comfort the people we cherish and help them guide them even though you can't see them they will always be there any time anywhere and that is what Hap Audrey Hepburn's Character explains to Richard Dreyfuss's Character Pete Anything you do for yourself is a wasted spirit your life is over and at the end after Pete tells Hap that he is not ready to say goodbye to Dorinda the woman he loved all those years ago Hap simply says you have to free yourself and let her go otherwise if you don't she will not be set free and ready to move on and look forward to the next goal the next phase of her life your life is over the time you had has gone you had your chance it is time to remember and let her go as Pete learns his lesson he finally lets her go when he says go on go on after a beautiful scene of acceptance and remembrance where Pete tells Dorinda those magic words I love You something he was afraid of saying something uncomfortable for him he never tells Dorinda how he feels he always lets his job get in the way his friends his life outside of his love life he always shrugged or pushed the romantic element of their love aside, Dorinda and Pete's relationship is strained they never could connect or bond they are 2 very different people with different paths or directions they feel are the right choices Dorinda feels insecure about Pete's job as a fire pilot but as you discover throughout the film she never has the confidence to explore different careers she was always happy on the ground Pete's spirit helps her overcome her fears and worries which help her in her life and ends Pete's life fulfilling the purpose of his life to care for her in her time of need and to cherish her thoughts and her dreams Dorinda always shops in her sleep which creates a memory for Pete similar to Jim's Mother's piano melody in Empire of the Sun or Celie and Nettie's hand clapping motion and song in the Color Purple That is Pete's Memory Dorinda creating the shopping list in her sleep that is the core memory the thought that Pete's spirit remembers cherishes holds dear in his heart even in death! I loved Audrey Hepburn's couple of scenes as Hap she is the light in Pete's afterlife and guide she helps him understand how to morn the loss of your own life the loving romance to his wife but also how to grieve and remember the life you have enjoyed and cherished all the friends you made the family you loved and respected I wish there was someone like Hap to guide me through the problems in my life I Really need it right now my life is very worrying and sad my life is not what I expected it to be when I was welcomed into the world by my Mother and Father I am depressed lonely and scared of all the things that could happen to me any day now Back to the film Hap's purpose and the film's purpose is to say look back on all the memories in your life and cherish them for as long as you can and enjoy your life while it lasts because you still have a life to enjoy after all and never feel disappointed in yourself because sometimes the memories that come back to haunt you will never go away and will leave a permanent sense of guilt in your life in conclusion hold to what you have and never look back because sometimes the things we love most they never truly leave us even if that is in life or in death you can always find them in your heart or spirit! Thank you Steven for showing me the light and telling to always look forward never look back and to never forget the things we hold dear in our hearts whether that be good happy memories or sad lonely memories Always is a beautiful romantic thoughtful perspective on life it teaches us all how to live our life's decently and to treat people with compassion and dignity!

Disclaimer: At time of writing this is the only review I have done where I did not see the original version prior to watching the remake. However, given the extraordinary pedigree (in no particular order, Spielberg behind the camera, and Hepburn, Dreyfuss, Goodman and Hunter in front) I decided to grab the old typewriter (keyboard) and dive in anyway. First the direction. Spielberg would rather have a root canal than leave behind to posterity any scene that is not perfectly lit and shot. So that's a non-issue. Hepburn? OMG what can I add that has not been said by the other reviewers? One of kind star presence. Five minutes of screen time with this lady is equal to two hours with any so-called modern actress. As for Dreyfuss, Hunter and Goodman what I really like about them is that not only do they do what is required, but they are relatively underexposed for the talent they deliver, and Spielberg kept each on a tight leash. (To see what happens when you don't keep these guys on a tight leash, watch Dreyfuss in Duddy Kravitz, Hunter in Saving Grace, and Goodman in just about anything he has ever done). As for final impact, I will say that the story is perhaps not for everyone and does take some time to build. But the payoff is there, and the reality of life and death is not going to change much over your lifetime, so, when you are ready to face either or both, this film will still be available for your viewing pleasure.