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Always

Play trailer Poster for Always PG Released Dec 22, 1989 2h 2m Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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70% Tomatometer 27 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Aerial firefighter Pete (Richard Dreyfuss) risks himself and his vintage World War II airplane in a constant and death-defying quest to fight forest wildfires, much to the dismay of his girlfriend, Dorinda (Holly Hunter). His love for Dorinda and the advice of fellow pilot Al (John Goodman) convince Pete to give up his perilous career, but he flies one last mission. Pete heroically saves Al's plane from certain destruction, but with supernatural consequences.
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Always

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Critics Consensus

Its central romance takes occasional dives into excessive sentimentality, but Always otherwise flies high thanks to director Steven Spielberg's rousing feel for adventure.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Movie Mom Rated: 3/5 Aug 12, 2004 Full Review Janet Maslin New York Times Although Always is filled with big, sentimental moments, it lacks the intimacy to make any of this very moving. Rated: 3/5 May 20, 2003 Full Review Rita Kempley Washington Post An unfulfilled promise, a plummeting dove. Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Jo Berry Radio Times Best pal John Goodman steals the show, and Audrey Hepburn (in her last screen role) gives him a run for his money as an angelic guide, while both Hunter and Dreyfuss just manage to stave off the syrup to produce a romantic tale of everlasting love. Rated: 3/5 Apr 4, 2024 Full Review Candace Wiggins Southern Voice (Atlanta) Spielberg could have gotten in his own way again with the special effects and the schmaltz. Instead, he manages to restrain himself and let the story take over, telling itself. Rated: 2.5/4 May 9, 2023 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a top-tier effort that seems to have unfairly fallen through the cracks. Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 5, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Blu B It's not bad. If anything it's a bit fustrating because it's ALMOST good. The pieces are there but it just doesn't fire all the way it needs too. The cinematography is easily the best thing. Great lighting, camerawork, a very memorable location, and really good special effects. Spielbergs direction is all over this. There are some scenes like the homeless dude that makes no sense and is stupid, the first half scenes with Pete & Dori that are a bit too slow and dragged out, and some of the other love scenes can be a bit too sentimental. The acting also is good. Hunter gets better as things go along. Johnson is alright but easily the worst thing. He's goofy, wooden, and just feels unnatural at times compared to everyone else. Goodman, Dreyfuss, and Audrey Hepburn are great though. Everything else isn't bad here. It really has a problem of Pete being lost and unsure so the script feels very unsure of where it wants to go once he is killed. Sometimes it's about Ted & Dori, sometimes it's about Pete coming to terms with his death and learning the rules, sometimes it's about Ted getting his career going, and other times Dori & Pete's relationship. But it never really ties it all together in a cohesive fashion. Some better than others. It feels almost like you could take Ted out of the entire thing and just keep it on Dori & Pete and it would work significantly better. Also, having more of Harp explain the rules and provide a bit more guidance here and there would've helped as well with this as the rules aren't exactly clear at times. Just some more structure and focus really would've gone a long way here. Also, it can be a bit too sentimental at times but it's not ridiculously over the top with it. Some of the music gets a bit to sappy, sometimes it's a bit too slow, and other times it repeats itself a little bit too. The humor moments also can be a bit to on the nose and feel like Dad type of jokes too. It's a ghost fantasy and a romance that is well directed but lost at key points. The fire scenes are really good though too as a sidenote. Anyone who is a die hard Spielberg fan, fan of any actors in this, or 80's romances may wanna take a look at this. There are better ghost stories and romances out there though. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/17/24 Full Review Elena D I saw this movie in 1989 in the theater. I was not the kind for going to see love stories at the movies, however, the premise and actors involved intrigued me. I will always remember and think of this film when I think of a love story. I believe this was Audrey Hepburn's last film and I will love it always. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/22/24 Full Review nikos adonis p john goodman was terrible Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 12/26/23 Full Review Ulli M this movie is a test for your patience. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 12/23/23 Full Review Barbara Mary W ok, holy hunter is good but I cant say the same thing for the rest of the film Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 12/23/23 Full Review Zelda W I normally really John Goodman but he thinks he was in Rosanne Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 12/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Always

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Aerial firefighter Pete (Richard Dreyfuss) risks himself and his vintage World War II airplane in a constant and death-defying quest to fight forest wildfires, much to the dismay of his girlfriend, Dorinda (Holly Hunter). His love for Dorinda and the advice of fellow pilot Al (John Goodman) convince Pete to give up his perilous career, but he flies one last mission. Pete heroically saves Al's plane from certain destruction, but with supernatural consequences.
Director
Steven Spielberg
Producer
Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy
Screenwriter
Jerry Belson, Dalton Trumbo, Frederick Hazlitt Brennan
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal/Universal Int
Rating
PG
Genre
Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 22, 1989, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2015
Runtime
2h 2m
Sound Mix
Surround
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