User reviews

The one author whose writing I consistently enjoy reading is John Steinbeck.

Cannery Row is my favorite of his stories. I've read my way through one paperback and am now preserving my second. His short novel "Sweet Thursday" is as much of a sequel to Cannery Row as it's possible to be.

The only non-paper version of the tale that I rate at least as highly as the book is the audio version, narrated by Jerry Farden. If the book is a 10, Jerry's reading is a 15. It's difficult to track down, though. If you want a real treat for your ears and your mind, get it.

Back to the movie. It's difficult to appreciate a film when you've read the book beforehand. And vice versa. So when I borrowed the VHS a few years ago, I had plenty of preconceptions, and some eager anticipation. It didn't take long for my preconceptions to shatter the anticipation.

This movie is NOT Cannery Row, but a mix of parts of it and Sweet Thursday.

I could easily be critical of it... Nick Nolte is much too much of a Man, and does not fit my mental image of Ed Ricketts at all. Debra Winger fits, more or less. The mix of two books changed the whole pace of the story, and spoiled it wholesale. There were bright spots, but tainted with those same old preconceptions.

So, don't expect to see a visual equivalent of the books, because it isn't. I don't go along with those who say that it's not worth watching. It's different than the book, and sometimes that can be hard to work through.

But, standing apart from the books, the movie is good. Darn good. It is well worth at least two viewings. And, I think, the more it's viewed, the better it gets.

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.

Even after 23 years I still have the newspaper ad for this movie on my bulletin board. "You don't have to be crazy to live here, but it helps." I love this movie. Of course, it pairs my two favorites, Nick Nolte and Debra Winger. It has the feel of an old time movie, or surreal, as another person commented. The characters are wacky and lovable and the dance scene and the frog hunt are unforgettable. The narration by John Huston is perfect.

Watching Cannery Row is a relaxing, enjoyable way to spend an evening. And I have used Doc's speech to Hazel at least twice -the one about paying for breaking something.

I don't think it is meant to be the retelling of Steinbeck's novel. I read both Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday ....and preferred the movie!!

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.

MGM was in a slump in 1982, and nobody knew how to market this episodic, whimsical adaptation of two plot-light John Steinbeck novels. So a lot of people were deprived of a life-affirming, atmospheric wartime romance that preserves the democratic, people-loving tone of the Steinbeck originals. Shot partly on an elaborate sound stage and partly on or near Monterey seaside locations, it's a leisurely collection of likable losers and near-losers inhabiting the titular sardine- canning center that's seen better days. Nick Nolte as Doc, a marine biologist with a not-too-secret past, is perfection, as is Debra Winger as Suzy, a combative but yearning drifter--the movie captures the character's mercurial, changeable nature far better than Rodgers and Hammerstein did in their own adaptation, "Pipe Dream." We'd like to see more of the gang, and don't really get to know Mac (M. Emmett Walsh) and his cohorts very well. But Frank McRae's a wonderful Hazel, and John Huston's narration, much of it verbatim Steinbeck, ties things together neatly. A bit slow, and a bit fanciful, it's nonetheless a wonderful date movie, best experienced with a good California wine.

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.

It's Monterey, California. Cannery Row has fallen into economic depression after the canning plants shut down. Everybody calls the marine biologist Doc (Nick Nolte) but nobody knows his past. There is a group of local hobos led by Mack with the childlike Hazel who collect samples for him. Drifter Suzy DeSoto (Debra Winger) arrives looking for any work. She accepts a job at Fauna Flood's bordello. The two gruff damaged souls struggle to find companionship. Doc is a former pitcher who secretly leaves bags of grocery for a beachcomber called The Seer.

This is lighter rom-com based on John Steinbeck books. The setting is depression era like. Its light tone does make it have an artificial feel. It is mostly made on a sound stage but that's not exactly what I'm talking about. This is more of a light rom-com fable rather than a dark gritty drama. The combination of Nolte and Winger has plenty of gruff fiery energy. Both are experienced at playing with these big voices. They're good at clashes which is the start of any rom-com. This movie has some memorable bits like the frog hunt. Parts of this are good although the whole doesn't always add up.

I rented this film on a recommendation of a friend. I really love this movie and as I've noticed others say, I would watch it again. One thing that I like about this movie is that there isn't anything pretentious. All the characters come across with excellent harmony as real people in a movie and also as characters in a film. The tone is totally natural. The real beautiful part about the people in this film is that they enjoy their surroundings and even though Cannery Row has seen much better times, everyone is content with their lives and it comes across brilliantly. Kudos to all involved. I love it and hope you will watch it and enjoy it as much as I. I give this one a definite ten out of ten stars!

A lot of reviewers rightfully state this movie is not like the book. The storyline is actually based on Steinbeck's lesser known "sequel" to Cannery Row, a book titled "Sweet Thursday." It is a great read if you liked Cannery Row. I would encourage anyone to read "Sweet Thursday" and then re-watch this film. It is still not the best, but better knowing the source of the screenplay. That being said, just watch and enjoy! Well I guess IMDb needs more lines to validate this review, not sure why ten lines is a minimum requirement but that's cool. So, I have two lines to go. Okay, now one line. There is so much one can write about a movie that is admittedly unremarkable, but entertaining.

Extremely odd, aloof adaptation of John Steinbeck's book (with a helping of his "Sweet Thursday") about amateur Marine biologist who has a rocky courtship with a flighty floozy in WWII-era California. Good-looking comedy-drama has lovely cinematography and art direction, stylish production design, but it just misses. There's no reason given why the general feeling should be so glum, and the characters are as wayward as the script. Nick Nolte is so laid-back he's practically non-existent; Debra Winger (who stepped in after Raquel Welch was let go) is too fiery and determined to be convincing as a drifter. A really uneven mix of surrealism, romance, nostalgia, and eccentric comedy that, sadly, doesn't come off. A fascinating attempt, nevertheless.

There were a few newspapers, here and there, that named CANNERY ROW as one of the Best of the Year, and they were the few that truly appreciated what is one of the finest capturing of Steinbeck ever on the screen. The film unites a couple of Steinbeck works that also became the book for Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Pipe Dream". Unfortunately, Steinbeck goes in and out of favor, and, at the moment, he is not lionized. But CANNERY ROW is a total delight -- replete with an extraordinary capture of the Steinbeck dialogue, a magnificent mise en scene of coastal California, a delicious group of characters captured to perfection, exquisite photography, and a soundtrack that united Bach with a melodic and playful score that deserved soundtrack status. Everything works... the humor is handled with a touch of wonderful madness by Nick Nolte, Debra Winger, and a gleeful bunch of farceurs playing giddy prostitutes and aging drop-outs who live along the desolate Cannary Row. Classic moments include the jitterbug between Nolte and Winger that temporarily interrupts their insults; the infamous frog hunt; Doc's special treat at the diner.... This David Ward film should be elevated to a classic status. It must be rediscovered so that audiences can delight in it for ages to come. See it..... Relax... Enjoy....and listen to the narration of John Huston - another element that is right on the mark !!!

Have not seen the movie in many years, but recall vividly the mood it created, particularly through the narrative provided by John Huston. Incidentally, for those of you who are curious and experimental, beer milkshakes don't really have a great deal of flavor, but like this movie, can be greatly enhanced through the addition of liberal amounts of blackberry brandy. Though not a parody, I am reminded of someone's observation that great parody must embody a true respect for the original. This movie can be easily criticized on many levels, but the admiration for the material seems fairly genuine, even if it does not always find the mark.

a Steinbeck adaptation. and little more. because the atmosphere, the acting, the voice of John Huston, the details, the precise adaptation and the images and music are good pillars for a pure delight. a classic who preserves its special charm and delicate manner to give force to each character. one of most impressive roles of Nick Nolte and beautiful science to translate flavor of text lines not only in images but in a sort of touching metaphors. a magic film and this fact gives to it extraordinary nuances not only as frame of a picture from South or illustration for a great American writer work spirit but for a mirror-film who gives more than status than reader who becomes viewer to its public. a special contribution has Audra Lindley in this memorable embroidery of emotions and Steinbeck credo.

This film is not for everyone. It is a romance between two characters (played by Nick Nolte and Debra Winger) who seem to be without purpose, living in the Cannery Row district of Monterey, California. Every person in the neighborhood has a kind heart and everyone wants love to bloom between the two star-crossed misfits.

Adapted from the works of John Steinbeck, "Cannery Row" uses sets and a crew of characters that feel, somewhat, like inventions of the Muppet factory. Doc and Suzy--the lovers--are definitely the focus of the film and they are played well by Nolte and Winger, but still they feel like caricatures. Everything is just a little too cute. As in a fairytale, we know the outcome and its sugar-coated circumstances before we see it on screen.

As I said, the acting is fine. It's the story that will not square with all viewers.

I thought the movie was actually better than what I thought it would be. I would recommend that you read the novel before the movie because there are many different changes in the movie from the novel. For example, the character the sear, who would just hang around the beach and help Doc occasionally. Also the new part of Suzie who worked at the bear flag restaurant and had fallen in love with Doc were some example of differences from movie to book. Another one is how they only had one party instead of two parties for Doc. Overall I actually thought the part of Suzie made the movie more interesting but wouldn't fit withthe style of the book.

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.

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.

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 whore 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.

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

I first picked-up Steinbecks "Cannery Row" while living in Monterey, Ca. and spent a lot of time hanging-out on Cannery Row with a friend who lived on the row. I could feel Steinbecks presence and the soul of the characters he wrote about in every brick and every board used to build the magnificent structures found there. As far as I can tell this movie has nothing in common with the spirit of John Steinbecks writings nor Cannery Row. I always try to find at least one good quality in every movie I watch, but this one had none. I think if Gary Sinise would have been on board for directing it might have been as incredible as "Of Mice And Men".Anyone who was willingly involved with the making of this movie needs to be brought up on charges of crimes against humanity.

This movie has been one of my secret pleasures for nearly 40 years. The characters are charming & endearing. The story-line is off beat & addictive. It makes you smile when you are having a dreary day.

This is one of my favorite "feel-good" films. Its laid-back pace flows as a Steinbeck novel reads. This tone was set at the get-go by John Huston's narration. Most narrations seem to be used mainly as a means of filling in plot holes left by a lousy script, and end up being a distraction. Huston's enhances the film. Makes you feel like you have the book in front of you. One of those films I could watch again and again.

The movie is fun, quirky, and one of my favorites. However, it's based on the novel "Sweet Thursday," which is a sequel (of sorts) to the novel "Cannery Row." Also of note: there's a new biography of Ed Ricketts, the "Doc" of the novels.