Don Shanahan Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast Aug 12, 2026

Even lesser Spielberg carries weight for the bravery on display and the ghost story playing its haunts.

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Jack E. Wilkinson United Press International Jun 12, 2026

Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film is both a tender, well-crafted love story and a robust adventure.

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Jo Berry Radio Times Apr 4, 2024 3/5

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.

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Candace Wiggins Southern Voice (Atlanta) May 9, 2023 2.5/4

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.

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David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Feb 5, 2022 3.5/4

...a top-tier effort that seems to have unfairly fallen through the cracks.

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Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Dec 31, 2020 2.5/5

Always is one of the more serious Spielberg films in the 1980s films but among the worst films in his entire filmography.

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Nathanael Hood Audiences Everywhere Dec 27, 2018 7/10

Always may not be a classic, but there's not a drop of cynicism in the whole thing. Spielberg's earnestness is infectious.

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Andrea Beach Common Sense Media Jan 3, 2017 3/5

Sentimental '80s romantic adventure has mild cursing.

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Christopher Null Filmcritic.com May 6, 2006 2.5/5

For all its Spielbergian action and production values, the film is painfully sappy and wastes its A-list cast by saddling them with a hamfisted script.

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Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Oct 11, 2005 3/5

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Rob Thomas Capital Times (Madison, WI) May 19, 2005 3/5

Whimsical and affecting enough, but certainly a lesser Spielberg film.

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Nell Minow Movie Mom Aug 12, 2004 3/5

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Mike McGranaghan Aisle Seat Mar 21, 2004 3/5

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Mark Palermo The Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia) Feb 24, 2004 4/5

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Thomas Delapa Boulder Weekly Feb 13, 2004 2/5

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Carol Cling Las Vegas Review-Journal Nov 7, 2003 3/5

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Fred Topel About.com Jul 14, 2003 1/5

Boring supernatural romance. Tedius and obvious. Wait until the following year's Ghost.

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Janet Maslin New York Times May 20, 2003 3/5

Although Always is filled with big, sentimental moments, it lacks the intimacy to make any of this very moving.

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Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope Mar 16, 2003 6/10

A light, enjoyable piece of fluff with spectacular flying scenes and a dramatically flat story.

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James Rocchi Netflix Nov 7, 2002 3.5/5

Always may be starry-eyed romantic claptrap, but by God, would that all starry-eyed romantic claptrap were so well done.

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