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.

Earlier this year, I saw a production of the rather obscure Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Pipe Dream" at the New York City Center. The musical failed simply because of a lack of storyline (in spite of a lovely score) and this film version of the same story has the same issue. The lives of these residents of a small California coastal town (where life surrounds a brothel) are presented in a sweet manor with a series of minor conflicts but no real glue holding them together. The performances are all admirable, with Debra Winger a definite future star and Nick Nolte excellent in the leads. Audra Lindley stands out as the bohemian madame, red hair flowing as if she was Mrs. Roper's fun-loving grandmother. Equally memorable is the powerful narration by the legendary John Houston. His diction is so heart-felt that it doesn't matter that you don't see him-you really FEEL him. Add to this some masterful photography and wonderful period music, and you have a nice film that sadly misses the mark of being a great movie.

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.