The Prince of Tides (1991)

Director:

Barbra Streisand

Writers (WGA):

Pat Conroy (novel)
Pat Conroy (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

25 December 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A story about the memories that haunt us, and the truth that sets us free.

Plot:

A troubled man talks to his suicidal sister's psychiatrist about their family history and falls in love with her in the process.

Plot Keywords:

Mother | Psychiatrist | Love | Twins | Family Relationships

Awards:

Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Nick Nolte	...	Tom Wingo
Barbra Streisand	...	Susan Lowenstein
Blythe Danner	...	Sally Wingo
Kate Nelligan	...	Lila Wingo Newbury
Jeroen Krabbé	...	Herbert Woodruff
Melinda Dillon	...	Savannah Wingo
George Carlin	...	Eddie Detreville
Jason Gould	...	Bernard Woodruff
Brad Sullivan	...	Henry Wingo
Maggie Collier	...	Lucy Wingo
Lindsay Wray	...	Jennifer Wingo
Brandlyn Whitaker	...	Chandler Wingo
Justen Woods	...	Tom Wingo (age 6)
Bobby Fain	...	Tom Wingo (age 10)
Trey Yearwood	...	Tom Wingo (age 13)

Runtime:

132 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Iceland:14 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Germany:12 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Beaufort, South Carolina, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Jason Gould, who plays Barbra Streisand's son in the movie, is her real-life son.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When first in Susan's office, Tom gets up and asks if he can smoke. A camera shadow is visible on the left sleeve of his jacket.

Quotes:

Susan Lowenstein: How did you deal with his death?
Tom Wingo: I shut down like a broken motor.
Susan Lowenstein: Huh. And according to the Southern way, still no tears.
Tom Wingo: [laughing] Oh, I cry sometimes, Lowenstein. I cry at weddings, at the Olympics. I'm real big at the national anthem.
Susan Lowenstein: But not over Luke?
Tom Wingo: What the hell for? It wouldn't bring him back.
Susan Lowenstein: No. But it might bring you back.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: Fear of Flying (#6.11)" (1994)

Soundtrack:

Keep On Movin'

Nolte's terrific but Streisand's ego defeats it

I'm afraid Streisand's overblown ego defeats this film. Taking what is essentially over-ripe Tennessee William's material, this may have had possibilities. But Streisand's character (and especially the director's fawning to her character (no surprise, since she directed it) makes this an ego journey of immense proportions. I don't know how Nolte survived this and how he crafted such a magnificent performance. I don't know how he managed to mutter the film's last lines ("Lowenstein, Lowenstein.") without breaking into laughter. (My guess...liquor and multiple takes.) Streisand as a performer needed someone to fetter her (she can give good performances when restrained.) Streisand the director needed to keep from falling in love with Lowenstein. (She did very well with the opening...except the titles and cast lists interfered with the story.) At the end, the only impression left is an unsubtle argument for Streisand's greatness. An argument that fails to persuade.