Great story but not my favorite film.

I'm a serious Steinbeck fan, both book and in film treatments, yet I hadn't seen this film until a few years ago. And, though I enjoyed it overall, I found some of the physicality of Dean's performance distracting at times, even agonizing to watch. He had a habit of over-playing his scenes as if he were a 'bendable buddy', squirming around the room or area, kind of bouncing off surfaces. I know he was supposed to be drunk in a couple instances but he frequently made movements that I felt overstated his part in the scene. I've noticed his tendency to do this in other films, such as in "Rebel Without A Cause".

Though I enjoy his interpretations of youthful angst in his films, I suppose I can't be counted as a die-hard fan of his work. It's unfortunate that his life was cut short so early as he certainly stood out from the crowd and showed a lot promise for a successful, impressive career . . .