Always 1989

Always

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.

67%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 24

60%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 22,762

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Movie Info

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.

Cast & Crew

Richard Dreyfuss
Pete Sandich
Holly Hunter
Dorinda Durston
Brad Johnson
Ted Baker
John Goodman
Al Yackey
Audrey Hepburn
Hap
Roberts Blossom
Dave
Keith David
Powerhouse
Ed Van Nuys
Nails
Marg Helgenberger
Rachel
Doug McGrath
Bus Driver
Steven Spielberg
Director
Jerry Belson
Screenwriter
Dalton Trumbo
Screenwriter
Frederick Hazlitt Brennan
Screenwriter
Steven Spielberg
Producer
Frank Marshall
Producer
Kathleen Kennedy
Producer
Mikael Salomon
Cinematographer
Michael Kahn
Film Editor
John Williams
Original Music
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Critic Reviews for Always

All Critics (24) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (8)

View All Critic Reviews (24)

Audience Reviews for Always

  • Oct 22, 2016
    Easily one of Spielberg's worst movies. Everything here seems lazy, even John Williams' score. Probably for the best that it's been completely forgotten.
    Alec B Super Reviewer
  • May 17, 2016
    Spielberg's remake of "A Guy Named Joe" unfortunately feels just like a remake, many of the earliest scenes easily telegraphing what is to come as predictably as ... well, as just about any old movie. With that in mind the cast doesn't do too badly, it simply feels like an also ran. It looks like one of Audrey Hepburn's last roles. She plays an angel. Coincidence?
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Dec 12, 2011
    A heartwarming drama, but slow moving and quite weak on the character development and setting. I recently heard its a remake of a 1943 film; A Guy Named Joe, while Spielberg himself decided not to treat it like that. Not an satisfying film overall but I think it's pretty watchable.
    Luke E Super Reviewer
  • Jul 06, 2011
    This is Spielberg at his most Capra-esque. This is perhaps Spielberg's least well known feature, but that is, perhaps, because it's unfortunately not all that memorable. As far as story goes, it is, in broad terms, Ghost a year before it came out. An aerial firefighter dies saving his best friend, but has to help his friends and lover move on before he can cross over. Very sentimental fantasy type stuff, but it is Spielberg, after all. The film is a bit too long, and the script could be more compelling, but I actually liked this film (for the most part), which is why it's close to a pass, even if it doesn't quite earn it. Maybe I'm being kind because perhaps Spielberg was just in a rut between a good film (Empire of the Sun) and a great one (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). The film has okay music (though it doesn't really stand out), a decent cast with good performances, and some pretty good work where the special effects, cinematography, and execution of the aerial stuff is concerned. This film is notable for being Audrey Hepburn's last screen appearance, and, while it is nice to see her, she deserved to go out in something a tad better. This is lesser Spielberg, but it still has it's merits. Maybe you should be like me and give it a chance. Maybe this film isn't all that bad, but just needs a little love.
    Chris W Super Reviewer
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