Cannery Row

source: Cannery Row

Nothing to do with the book, just used the names of the characters and the location names. It's a simple formula Hollywood movie, boy meets girl, they get on each other's nerves a bit and then it's time to fall in love. I can only imagine that the positive reviews here are from people who hold some sort of financial interest in the film. The story line, again nothing to do with the book really, was scattered and nonsensical. What a waste of my time. Read the book. Skip the movie. This movie actually ruined the book experience for me. Steinbeck would turn over in his grave if he saw this. Now I am reading East of Eden and see that a movie was made about that too. I will watch the film after I finish the book, but I am sure that it will be a poor remake too. As for Cannery Row, you will note that there was no romance between the characters, or any big focus on Dora's * house. This is all changed in the movie. And the book takes place during the time the canneries were open for business. The film is set at a time when all the factories have closed and the industry had shut down. The characters are never really developed and none of them are likable in any way.

The first time I saw this movie, I almost walked out of the room (watching on a laser disc), but I decided to stay...and I'm glad I did. The film spends the first half developing the characters, among which are a PHD doing research on "Octopii" (Nick Nolte), a group of "ladies of the night", and a group of "bums". All of this is taking place around an old sardine cannery plant that is no longer in operation. The movie begins to pick up steam toward the second half and is filled with laughs and giggles. The bums steal the show when they go frog hunting...hoping to sell the frogs to "Doc" so that they can have a party (for Doc). "Hazel" is hilarious and "Mac" (the head bum) has a unique approach to philosophy. The bottom line is that the movie will make you laugh and has a happy ending. When (if) the movie comes out on DVD, I will buy it for my collection of classics. PS: The film is narrated throughout, but the narration actually adds to the movie.

Excellent commentary, very well done. If you liked A Christmas Story type of movie, you'll like this one! All the characters are great - the movie runs along at a good clip with nothing getting stale. There's just one thing after another here. If it's not mack and the boys and their shenanigans it's the relationship with Nolte and Winger, and if it's not that it's a party that goes haywire. I love it. By the end of the movie I was wishing to live at Cannery Row! Now if someone in the US would just WAKE UP and get this into DVD region 1 format, we'd have it made! I just don't understand why it hasn't been done yet with all the other movies now back on DVD. Jeff

When this film was released, it was under-marketed and for studio-based political reasons, all but buried. Additionally, some critics tried to frame it as a failed attempt at "art-house" cinema. However, this simply is one of the best films ever made of a Steinbeck work, and one of the best films of the 1980s. Poignant, masterfully photographed, funny and sweet, brilliantly acted and directed, it is a must see for anyone who loathes mainstream American film making and yearns for literate cinema. Nolte is at his best, acting with a magnificent range. Winger is perfect as Suzy. The adaptation of Steinbeck's "Sweet Thursday" is spot on. The ensemble acting of the tramps led by one of the greatest character actors of all time, M. Emmett Walsh and Frank McRae and the soundtrack including Doctor John's piano stylings, make this a film of metaphor and wonderful enchantment. If you haven't seen this film, turn off your phone, light a fire, and settle in for the ride of your life, emotionally and artistically.

Some movies just stick in your mind because of the wonderful scenes they contain, and this is one of them. Nick Nolte and Deborah Winger have never been better cast as this pair of mismatched lovers. Nolte's scene where he is preparing to pay a visit on Winger, who "lives in a boiler" is priceless. Too many good lines to repeat. Just watch it enjoy all the great performances, topped off by John Huston's hilarious deadpan narration. Sometimes, you can only have so much fun.

The cast of this fine movie have better ensemble chemistry than possibly any cast I can remember. Everyone looks like they belong in their roles. Whether or not they captured the two books exactly really isn't the point. The movie creates a perfect atmosphere for the events, and Huston's narration actually adds to, rather than detracts from the performances (something I find very rare in narrated films). Nick Nolte is good in almost anything, and he plays the role of Doc with the patience of a man who really doesn't quite belong where he is, but who has decided to stay, anyway. I think the finest performance in the film, however, is Frank McRae as Hazel, the childlike giant. He plays the role with a sweetness and earnestness that make the character totally believable. His reaction to being cursed with the Presidency, and his slightly-befuddled researching of the problem of how to get Doc and Suzy back together are priceless. One more tiny detail that I thought really made the movie, for me: everybody singles out the frog hunt scene as a favorite, and I would agree for the most part. But I prefer the aftermath: the frog currency system and the night of the fight when the whole mob of frogs are accidentally set loose on Cannery Row. After that scene, you can hear frogs peeping away for the rest of the movie. This is one for the DVD collection, and I agree with the reviewer who lamented the lack of an available soundtrack. Wonderful film.

I find it easy to believe that many critics panned this movie, after all as William Peter Blatty once said about critics: "They neither reap, nor sow, nor harvest. They are malignant lilies of the field." For the most part, they are smart a--es who like to be cute and only have praise for "important films". Those of us who actually buy tickets prefer good movies and this was one. For those who disliked this wonderful (and I truly mean filled with wonder) movie because it was different from the book (or books) I can only say a book is a book, a movie is a movie. It was delightful from beginning to end filled with likable characters. I remember when I first saw it, looking at the Cannery Row denizens with a feeling of envy. They had nothing, but somehow knew how to live. Typically I only comment when I can make the following statement, which I now make unhesitatingly: If you have a heart, it will be touched.

Critics panned this film, yet still gave it fairly good marks. Nick Nolte & Debra Winger are fine, and John Huston is perfectly splendid with his narration. Kudos to all involved, and a special thank you for the frog hunt scene! Hilarious!!! I did not read the story by Steinbeck, so I don't really care if it followed it exactly. By itself, it is excellent entertainment. The Miller-Movie formula awards it a 9.

I was incredibly disappointed this was not much better. Perhaps I was misled by the inflated rating on this site. This was a jumbled up movie that never found its soul or covered some of the more memorable portions of the book. Why weren't there ANY scenes that took place in a bar? Everything looked staged and since there was minimal character development ultimately the characters were turned into caricatures. Steinbeck would've cringed while rolling over in his grave. It was very slow to start and painful to finish. And the score was atrocious - abrupt shifts to Vivaldi after ragtime? Come on! Now Vivaldi is rolling over in HIS grave. Reread the book but pass on this movie.