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The Prince of Tides

Play trailer Poster for The Prince of Tides R 1991 2h 12m Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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The Prince of Tides

The Prince of Tides

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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.

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Critics Reviews

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Barry McIlheney Empire Magazine 02/03/2012
3/5
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. Go to Full Review
Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader 02/03/2012
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. Go to Full Review
Variety Staff Variety 10/18/2008
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. Go to Full Review
Noah Berlatsky Splice Today 05/05/2024
This is Streisand’s movie, and Nolte’s Tom functions as both her subject and her muse. Go to Full Review
Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 01/05/2023
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] Go to Full Review
David Harris Spectrum Culture 11/24/2020
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. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Jeffrey A Aug 16 Read the book instead See more Jun 16 Aw, what's to say. The story is phenomenal. The way the movie is crafted- it's segmented perfectly. Bab's is Bab's, she doesn't do much but everything she does is spectacular. I assume most cinema buffs have a great respect for Nolte- he's very old now but boy do I think they could've used him in SO much more stuff- a truly exceptional actor. An actors actor. I don't give 5 stars often or easily- this is a no brainer. I remember loving it in the theatre and watching now, in 2025, loved it just as much. See more David F 05/27/2024 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. See more KB B @Okbullard 05/23/2024 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. See more Leaburn O 03/22/2024 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. See more J M 02/11/2024 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) See more Read all reviews
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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 - Killing the Convicts The Prince of Tides: Official Clip - Killing the Convicts 2:33 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 - 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
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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
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