The Set-Up: Doc and Suzy. Suzy and Doc. Their relationship ebbs and flows like the surf that washes up and makes smooth the jetty in the middle of John Steinbeck's not-quite-mythical slice of Monterey, California. I love Steinbeck's visits to this place and these characters—in the novel "Cannery Row" and its sequel "Sweet Thursday"—and David S. Ward, parlaying his Oscar win for the screenplay of The Sting, into a directing gig, squeezed both novels, seemingly effortlessly, into his 1982 film of Cannery Row.Too few people have seen this, I think, because it's a charming love story and a quirky character piece, with some off-beat casting, presented like a folk-tale in the slow-as-molasses tones of John Huston. I think it's Nick Nolte's best performance, and it gave a young Debra Winger an early part that showed just how personable and quixotic an actress she could be.
But, Doc and Suzy. Suzy and Doc. Both have "history." He's a former baseball pitcher, now marine biologist on the skids. Suzy's a temporary hooker, lousy at it, and, as she says, "ain't got the class of a duck." Doc says, "The only thing we have in common is that we're both wrong for each other." Suzy says, "I don't understand it. We get along great when we're not together." But, they're still talking about each other, even if it's at the top of their lungs. Separate, there are longing looks across the way, and questions and interest. Put them in a room together and the interested looks turn dark and suspicious, the words turn inappropriate, and can be counted on to be punctuated with a door slam.
This is their first meeting and it is capital-A awkward. In fact, you'll notice that most of the communication is done with looks and expressions and long pauses.* Doc's flustered, and she's interested, but neither one of them know what to say. Doc is disappointed she's working at the Bear Flag Restaurant,** and Suzy notices (this will be a topic of subsequent arguments). Madame Fauna notices that the usually cool-as-a-sea-cucumber Doc is at a loss for words, and that Suzy is more of a klutz than she normally is. Doc notices that she notices and that just increases his tension. The room is full of traveling eyes, and half-sentences and interrupted thoughts and non-sequitirs that drop with a resounding "thud." It's very, very uncomfortable.
They're made for each other.
The Story: "Doc"—Eddie Daniels—(Nick Nolte) is a marine biologist off the docks of Cannery Row in Monterey, a small community of transient losers—drunken derelicts, floozies, sailors-on-leave, and "The Seer," a local loon who lives on the beach and has visions. The loose-knit community knows everybody's business, and maintain a strict "good neighbor" policy. Into Cannery Row comes Suzy DeSoto (Debra Winger), out-of-work, out-of-money, and out-of-chances...she is taken pity on by Fauna, who has inherited the local brothel. Nothing goes unnoticed on the Row, and Doc notices the new girl, and the new girl notices Doc. But, they don't actually meet until Fauna takes Suzy shopping...at the town's one store, run by Joseph and Mary Gonzales (Santos Morales ).
Action!
FAUNA: Let's see now, I need some yellow pads, a box of pencils—No.2 lead, and a bottle of blackberry brandy.
JOSEPH AND MARY: You still doing that astrology thing?
FAUNA: Hell, yeah (ha-ha).
SUZY: The one who leaves...
FAUNA: Oh! Hell, yeah. Doc's been doin' that ten-fifteen years now. He and the boys even built him a little house out there on the dunes.
FAUNA: Well...
(The store door bell chimes)
JOSEPH AND MARY: J'ou got it, Doc.
DOC: Budweiser?
She laughs.
DOC: Uh-huh.
DOC: Bye, Fauna...
Store bell rings before she finishes. Doc's gone.
Cannery Row
Words by John Steinbeck, William Graham, and David S. Ward
Pictures by Sven Nykvist and David S. Ward
Cannery Row is available on DVD from Warner Home Video.
* You think this is bad? Wait'll next week!
** It's actually the town brothel.