“Always” transcends the boundaries of the stereotypical love story and entertains the audience with tales of adventure and intrigue.

Starring Richard Dreyfuss and Holly Hunter, “Always” is directed by the renowned Steven Spielberg with the high degree of quality that he has come to be known for.

“Always” is a film about the lives of the men and women who fight forest fires from both the air and the ground. The danger of the occupation and the camaraderie of the characters through bad times as well as good, help define the personalities of the characters to which the audience eventually becomes attached.

Richard Dreyfuss portrays Pete, a master of the sky who seems to know no fear but revels in the thrill of flight. The one thing that Pete can never do, much to the dismay of Dorinda (Holly Hunter), the woman he loves, is to stop flying. Dorinda fears for Pete’s safety every second that he is in the air.

Just when things appear to be looking up for the couple, Dorinda’s fears are suddenly realized when, in the course of saving their best friend Al (John Goodman of “Roseanne”) in a daring mid-air rescue, Pete loses his life. However, the relationship between Pete and Dorinda is far from over.

Shortly after his accident Pete encounters Hap, a spirit, who explains that Pete has one more mission before he enters heaven. Pete is to become a guardian angel to another pilot, Ted. Ted has somewhat of a confidence problem, and Pete is assigned to inspire him to the greatness of flying that he once experienced in life.

Pete cannot be seen or heard, and along the way he learns the true purpose of his mission. Pete must meet up with Dorinda once again and through his spirit-like influence show her the way to a new, happy life without him. Achieving this goal will earn Pete his place in heaven.

The story is magical in its exploration of the way love lives on in the hearts and souls of others after someone has passed on. The concept does pull a few tears, but it is generously rounded out by the witty humor of both Dreyfuss and Goodman.

“Always” is one of the few films out today that offers viewers a little bit of everything. There is action, adventure, a hint of drama and comedy. The acting is nothing short of superb and the story is well thought out. The action is believable and the special effects are realistic. There are no corny illusions to cloud the viewer’s perception. It is just like Spielberg said in one of his interviews, “There’s something about the idea that somebody could be just over your shoulder, getting through to you even though you can’t see or hear him.”

I would recommend “Always” to absolutely everyone. It is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time, and not one person that I have talked to yet who has seen the movie disliked it.