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The Prince of Tides by Barbra Streisand
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DVD Cover InformationActor: Barbra Streisand, Blythe Danner, Jeroen Krabbé, Kate Nelligan, Nick Nolte Director: Barbra Streisand Brand: Sony Producer: Barbra Streisand Producer: Andrew S. Karsch Producer: Cis Corman Producer: James T. Roe III Producer: Sheldon Schrager Writer: Becky Johnston Writer: Pat Conroy DVD: Region Code 99 Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Portuguese (Subtitled); Georgian (Subtitled); Chinese (Subtitled); Thai (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; Spanish (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; Portuguese (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.85:1 Running Time: 132 minutes DVD Release Date: 2001-11-06 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Movie Reviews of The Prince of TidesMovie Review: One of the greatest dramatic films ever Summary: 5 Stars
I remember seeing this movie on the big screen shortly after its Christmas 1991 release and being instantly captivated by every scene. The Prince of Tides was so well done that it held my full attention throughout all 2+ hours. As a viewer, I experienced a vast array of emotions such as compassion, inspiration, sadness, shock, and wonder.
I liked everything about this movie. First and foremost, the acting was superb. Nick Nolte deservedly won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama. (He should have won the Academy Award for Best Actor as well IMO.) Nolte's portrayal of the very complex yet down-to-earth and likeable Tom Wingo was nothing short of magnificent. Don't be surprised if you shed a tear or two after the last flashback scene, when Tom's defenses finally crumble as he lets himself experience the childhood pain he had locked up for so long. Barbra Streisand also delivered a wonderful performance as devoted psychiatrist Dr. Susan Lowenstein. Strong and self-assured, she has no problem standing up for herself when confronted by Tom's tantrums; sad and vulnerable, she allows the layers of her own insecurities to peel away as she falls in love with him.
Other noteworthy performances include those of Kate Nelligan, Blythe Danner, Melinda Dillon, and George Carlin. Oscar-nominated Kate Nelligan brilliantly portrays Lila Wingo Newbury, the high-strung and status-hungry mother of Nolte and Dillon's characters. Nelligan is stunning as a young mother in the flashback scenes and looks convincingly older in the present setting. (The makeup and wardrobe crew must be given credit for this.) Blythe Danner was perfect as Tom's frustrated wife, Sally, and Melinda Dillon, surprisingly short of screen time for such a central character, was credible as Tom's suicidal twin sister, Savannah. Comedian George Carlin plays Eddie, Savannah's gay and caring neighbor. Carlin is commended for conveying his character's sexuality with more subtlety than flamboyance and for playing his dramatic scenes as wonderfully as his comedic ones.
In addition to the superb performances, The Prince of Tides contains one of the most memorable scores in a motion picture. James Newton Howard's background music in a number of scenes creates just the right touch. Its careful, creative blend of instrumentals enhances the film's various moods - awe, heartache, romance, etc. (I highly recommend purchasing the soundtrack, which also features two vocal performances by Ms. Streisand, not included in the movie itself.) The cinematography in this film is simply incredible. Beautiful, wondrous scenery of lakes, rivers, and marshes, as well as sunrises and sunsets, will take your breath away. Indeed, producer/director Barbara Streisand is to be praised for all the work she did behind the camera as well as in front of it.
It is a pity that this DVD contains no documentaries surrounding this Oscar-nominated movie, but the movie itself more than makes up for the absence. The Prince of Tides is a pure joy to watch, an emotional experience like no other. For viewers who were raised in a dysfunctional family, the film is particularly meaningful: it will inspire you to let go of past hurt, learn from it, grow stronger, and set yourself free to love yourself and live a happier life.
Summary of The Prince of TidesPRINCE OF TIDES - DVD Movie Barbra Streisand's best film as a director is helped enormously by one of Nick Nolte's finest performances. Nolte plays a football coach who is estranged from his wife (Blythe Danner) and who enters into an affair with the psychiatrist (Streisand) of his suicidal sister (Melinda Dillon). Streisand is acceptable in her star turn, but behind the camera she paces the story very well and provides lots of room for Nolte to inhabit his burdened but likable character. George Carlin is a bit token as a gay New Yorker, although Jason Gould (Streisand's son) is good as a struggling teen in desperate need of a father figure. The whole film is worth watching just to see a great moment near the end where Nolte stands on a street, a bit slump-shouldered and wearing a look of sad resolve. It's great acting at its most minimal. --Tom Keogh
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