It's a great mystery to me...

I saw it before I had read anything about it.... loved it, so the bad reviews caught me by surprise. And they weren't just bad... they were vicious, (for the most part, not all).

I am biased. John Steinbeck is one of my all time favorite authors. I truly believe he saw into human character with an insight that few that have ever lived possessed.

In the years since I first saw it I've shown it to a few friends... all liked it, some loved it. so the bad 'fan' reviews still mystify me somewhat.

In all honesty Nick Nolte didn't impress me with his acting... but he worked... the dialog so good I think just about anyone could have played the part and done well. I thought Debra Winger was great.

I thought Frank McCrae, (Hazel), was superb. And Emmet Walsh is one of my all time favorite actors... I've never seen him perform at any level less than fantastic. (Mack).

Sunshine Parker, (The Seer), fit the role as well as any actor has ever fit any role.

I have the movie on my computer... it's a regular play in my home.... but I only watch it with my wife these days. She 'gets it'... and I love the movie too much to waste it on those who don't see it's greatness.