XoWizIama Excellent adaptation.

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Suman Roberson It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Trey Yancy Always is one of Spielberg's best. It's an all-round great movie. Based on the WWII air force story, A Guy Named Joe with Spencer Tracy and Irene Dunne, it follows the story closely but adds a great touch of humor throughout and is far sweeter than the original. Among other things, Audrey Hepburn makes a better angel than Lionel Barrymore, plus John Goodman brings a great big bouncing kick of life to a role that was played so straight by Ward Bond.Frankly the original seems almost like a very early draft of the remake and not quite ready to go. Setting this version in a fire pilot setting is perfect. It is a far better scenario and the whole idea simply works better.I watch a lot of movies and own a ton of DVDs / Bluerays. I rank this film among my fifty top favorites.

Riddler2 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!

A_Different_Drummer 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.

leplatypus Contrary of its title, the movie is a swan's song: it's the final movie with Spielberg for Dreyfuss and it's the last movie for Miss Hepburn before she goes to her hair stylist. The entire movie is about ending (death, end of romance, leaving friends). However, as it's a Spielberg's movie, it's not about mourning and desolation but a vibrant call for love and optimism. For me, this movie would be always indeed my favorite Spielberg's because it's one of the best love movies that I have seen.As unusual as it is, I'm sure the setting in an incendiary unit brings something particular, fire being the image of passion. Also, the facetious Dreyfuss and John Goodman brings a lot of warmth but the movie is clearly illuminated by Holly Hunter. I didn't know her well but she is an amazing brunette, small, fragile but also courageous and passionate. With her, Spielberg can amend a filmography a bit too masculine, because his hero is always a boy or a man. Now, it's true that we can't talk about this movie without mentioning "Ghost" that have the same story (a ghost lover) and the same choice for a 50's song ("unchained melody" vs "smoke gets in your eye"). "Always" has failed while "Ghost" wins it all. However, my preference goes to "Always" because it's more powerful, devoid of all violence and without Whoopi (see below) as well. Pairing: "Purple color": maybe it's only other love story but as it stars Whoopi, this is the only Spielberg's movie i will never see.