Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

The Prince of Tides

Play trailer Poster for The Prince of Tides R Released Dec 25, 1991 2h 12m Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
68% Tomatometer 34 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
A New York psychiatrist treating an emotionally scarred woman finds it helpful to discuss her South Carolina family's troubled history with the woman's twin brother. He and the psychiatrist find themselves drawn together by their equally turbulent pasts, and they form an alliance which ultimately leads to romance.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

The Prince of Tides

The Prince of Tides

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Although the central romance arguably suffocates the heart of the drama, a moving performance by Nick Nolte and Barbra Streisand's deft direction give The Prince of Tides a soulful edge.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (34) Critics Reviews
Barry McIlheney Empire Magazine Graced with fine performances and commendably biting off more than it can ever hope to chew, The Prince Of Tides is a rare slice of romantic moviemaking for all those grown-ups feeling ignored since Kramer Vs. Kramer last rattled their value systems. Rated: 3/5 Feb 3, 2012 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader The results may seem overripe and dated in spots, but she coaxes a fine performance out of Nolte, and the other actors (herself included) acquit themselves honorably. Feb 3, 2012 Full Review Variety Staff Variety A deeply moving exploration of the tangled emotions of a dysfunctional Southern family, this lovingly crafted (though unevenly scripted) film of Pat Conroy's novel centers on Nick Nolte's performance of a lifetime. Oct 18, 2008 Full Review Noah Berlatsky Splice Today This is Streisand’s movie, and Nolte’s Tom functions as both her subject and her muse. May 5, 2024 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Despite its pitfalls, Barbara Streisand has enormous talent. But unconditionally adoring her film requires adoring her even more than she already does. And that is immeasurably impossible [Full review in Spanish] Jan 5, 2023 Full Review David Harris Spectrum Culture The Prince of Tides remains important as the wellspring of a woman director/star who held her ground against the boys club of the Hollywood system and ultimately came out on top. Nov 24, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (403) audience reviews
David F This film about a troubled Southerner who temporarily relocates to New York City in the wake of his sister’s suicide attempt and establishes a relationship with his sister’s psychologist aspires to a level of romanticism and psychological insight about families, romance, relationships, and more that it doesn’t quite achieve. I admire the ambition, the effort, and the beautiful music but just wish that it could have reached the heights of cinematic achievement that it was striving for. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/28/24 Full Review KB B The first hour or so was so slow I almost gave up on it but I'm glad I didn't. It was a good story with some over the top acting at times. It's worth the watch. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/23/24 Full Review Leaburn O A solidly made US drama. All the usual techniques are in there from soppy music, love interests, family drama, a man whose life is transformed during the course of the film. Paint by numbers stuff and I'll have forgotten it all by next week. Reminded me of 'On Golden Pond', in that I don't remember anything about that film except there was some water in it. Watched on DVD as couldn't find anywhere else. Another of those Best Picture nominations that time has pretty much forgotten and that's understandable once you watch the competently made but unremarkable picture. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/22/24 Full Review J M Even though I give this a movie a strong recommendation, I can't think of another film that makes me so angry! The first half or three-quarters of this adaptation of Pat Conroy's novel is fantastic - and often times close to extraordinary. I am fascinated with the practice of psychiatry and was captivated by the moments in this movie where Nolte becomes the memory of his twin sister (the wonderful Melinda Dillon) who has blocked out much of her painful past. I also loved the scenes in which Nolte shares the screen with Kate Nelligan as his mother and Blythe Danner as his wife. Both actresses are superb! As is Nolte, even if the Southern accent gets a little bit much at times. But then the romance starts with Streisand, and what started as a powerful dramatic motion picture turns into a treacly Harlequin romance with moments that could have been stolen from a feminine hygiene commercial. It's almost painful to watch at times and so disappointing when compared with what has transpired before this. The plot which has drawn us in up to this point becomes an afterthought. Once Streisand's husband makes his first appearance, it's all downhill from there. A subplot involving Nolte teaching Streisand's son (played by her real-life son Jason Gould) to play football could easily have been excised. Streisand is good as the psychiatrist, and I do appreciate her scenes with Nolte in the office piecing together the puzzle of his complicated childhood. A climactic memory involving a horrific event that has never been discussed before is particularly unsettling. And a special shout out to James Newton Howard's score, which is one of my all-time favorites. This could have been one of my all-time favorites if it hadn't lost its way. - Jeff Marshall, Movie Blogger (Facebook) Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/24 Full Review Audience Member A must-watch with guts to back up it's darker story beats and possibly a career-best Nick Nolte to back it up. Affliction's up there too. 9/10 Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Kinda awesome. Kinda mushy. Streisand directs and stars in a movie where she helps mend Nolte, who comes from a tragically broken home in the south. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Prince of Tides

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

The Prince of Tides

The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Football Coaching The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Football Coaching 3:40 The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - A Few Simple Questions The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - A Few Simple Questions 2:06 The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Therapist vs. Patient The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Therapist vs. Patient 2:46 The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - I Like Adultery The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - I Like Adultery 1:34 The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Killing the Convicts The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Killing the Convicts 2:33 The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Dropping the Violin The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Dropping the Violin 2:56 The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Just Let It Go The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Just Let It Go 2:05 The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Hitting on His Therapist The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Hitting on His Therapist 2:12 The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Cheating Wife The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Cheating Wife 2:47 The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Dog Food Dinner The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Dog Food Dinner 2:17 View more videos
White Palace 50% 62% White Palace Watchlist The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love 80% 69% The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love Watchlist The Lover 28% 79% The Lover Watchlist A Man in Love 50% 57% A Man in Love Watchlist Angel Baby 92% 80% Angel Baby Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis A New York psychiatrist treating an emotionally scarred woman finds it helpful to discuss her South Carolina family's troubled history with the woman's twin brother. He and the psychiatrist find themselves drawn together by their equally turbulent pasts, and they form an alliance which ultimately leads to romance.
Director
Barbra Streisand
Producer
Barbra Streisand, Andrew S. Karsch
Screenwriter
Pat Conroy, Becky Johnston
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating
R
Genre
Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 25, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 13, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$72.0M
Runtime
2h 12m
Sound Mix
Surround
Most Popular at Home Now