Always (1989)
- Cody Iden
- Oct 25, 2021
- 3 min read
Release Date - December 22, 1989
Synopsis:
The spirit of a recently deceased aerial firefighter is sent back to Earth to help guide a newer pilot who he must also watch fall in love with the girlfriend he left behind.
Directed by - Steven Spielberg
Screenplay by - Jerry Belson and Diane Thomas
Produced by - Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall
Music by - John Williams
Distribution Company - Universal Pictures
Cast:
Richard Dreyfuss - Pete Sandich
Holly Hunter - Dorinda Durston
John Goodman - Al Yackey
Brad Johnson - Ted Baker
Special Appearance by:
Audrey Hepburn - Hap
Roberts Blossom - Dave
Keith David - Powerhouse
Ed Van Nuys - Nails
Marg Helgenberger - Rachel
Dale Dye - Don
Run Time - 2 hr. 2 min. Rated - PG
Budget - $31 million Gross - $74.1 million
Review:
Always was the second film from director Steven Spielberg to be released in 1989, following Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade which had released earlier in the year. Unlike his blockbuster Indiana Jones films, Always instead goes for a much smaller, classic film feel, which makes sense for the project as it is a remake of the 1943 film A Guy Named Joe. The film is an enjoyable effort, though not very memorable. Richard Dreyfuss is excellent in a very subdued role, much of the time he watching events unfold and he is not able to interact with most of the cast which makes for an interesting performance. Holly Hunter is fun, but I wasn't fully invested in her character and John Goodman is always great, no exception in his supporting role here. The cinematography in the film is outstanding, particularly the aerial sequences and the haunting scenes with Richard Dreyfuss and Audrey Hepburn in a couple beautiful, serene sequences. The film does feel a little out of place in 1989 amidst huge blockbusters and the glut of sci-fi and horror offerings, but it is a wonderful throwback to the Golden Age of Hollywood. While not one of Steven Spielberg's better-known films, he proves that every film he touches is always worth a look.
My Score: 81
Plot - 7 Cinematography - 9
Attraction - 7 Editing & Special Effects - 8
Theme - 9 Sound & Music - 8
Acting - 8 Directing - 9
Dialogue - 8 Enjoyability – 8
Trivia:
The film is a remake of A Guy Named Joe (1943). A clip from the original film was used in the Steven Spielberg produced film Poltergeist (1982).
Steven Spielberg and Richard Dreyfuss had quoted lines from A Guy Named Joe (1943) to each other while making the film Jaws (1975). Both expressed interest in remaking the film at some point.
Initially Steven Spielberg wanted Paul Newman or Robert Redford to play the leading roles of Pete Sandich and Ted Baker, but both actors wanted to play the role of Pete and when he could not work the situation out, Spielberg decided not to cast either and instead cast Richard Dreyfuss as Pete.
This marked the third collaboration between Steven Spielberg and Richard Dreyfuss after both Jaws (1975) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977).
Tom Cruise turned down the role of Ted Baker.
Steven Spielberg initially wanted Sean Connery to play the role of the angel Hap, having just worked with him on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989). When Connery proved to be unavailable it was decided to make the character female and Audrey Hepburn was soon cast.
Audrey Hepburn had retired from acting following Wait Until Dark (1967) though she made a few sporadic appearances from 1976-1989. She accepted the role of Hap because she admired Steven Spielberg's work and wanted to work with him. Hepburn was paid $1 million for her part in the film, all of which she donated to UNICEF.
This was the final appearance of actress Audrey Hepburn who died on January 20, 1993 following a short battle with cancer.
Availability:
Watched in September, 2021
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