ChicRawIdol A brilliant film that helped define a genre

FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Roman Sampson One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

raingraham 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.

psny62 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.

NASCAR880 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

rmagier 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.