The Prince of Tides
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Movie Reviews of The Prince of Tides
Movie Review: Fascinating movie
Summary: 4 Stars
I have not read Pat Conroy's book but I plan to. You will note that he wrote this screen play. This movie was quite intense. I did have a problem with the psychiatrist (Barbara) sleeping with her patient. Barbra's wardrobe would have been professional, had the skirts not been short. I also had some problems with the way Nick Nolte's character was played. I lived in South Carolina for 20 years and found many of Nick's traits to be outlandish and not typical of a southern man. Yet, Tom Wingo (played by Nick) wasn't just playing a southern man; he was playing a severely traumatized man.
I gave this movie a 4 star rating because I was awestruck by the way in which Barbra Streisand played various facets of the psychiatrist role - cool and professional at the beginning, tough as nails to protect the life of her suicidal patient, quiet and analytical with Tom, asking the right questions, putting the pieces together (Savannah's "splinter that festers") and, finally, showing so much compassion. The scene where she held Tom when he cried was priceless. In this fantasy world, Barbra held the person who was hurting. People who hurt that badly need to be held. This probably doesn't happen a great deal in real life because of professional boundary concerns or sexual harrassment worries. There are many Barbra Streisand movies I have not seen, but her acting in this movie showed so much versatility. I don't think any another actress could have portrayed love, compassion, sorrow, and loss with such intensity.
Movie Review: Read the book !!!
Summary: 1 Stars
Like I said in the title read the book, and more of Pat Conroy. And forget about this movie. It only shows two actors, too old for the part playing together and not talking about this great story.Movie Review: A flawed, but well-done film
Summary: 4 Stars
Barbra Streisand's second film as a director is also her most successful, most well-liked, and by far her most oscar-nominated. It isn't hard to see why, as the film tackles the near-universal topic of dysfunctional family life, and how it ends up effecting other families as time goes on.
At the same time, this film has many controversies and flaws to it. Many fans of the novel condemn Streisand for totally changing the story around, and attempting to make the movie more about her character, Susan, when originally her role was not quite as central. It is also (agreeably) criticized for implying that revealing a secret repressed with just magically make everything better.
As far as flaws go, most of them come in the form of bad casting and unrealistic performances. The biggest miscast was Barbra's son, Jason Gould, as her son, wannabe football player Bernard. He comes across far too dorky and does not have the proper body to be completely believable as a football player. The other major problem is Barbra Streisand's performance as a psychiatrist. It has to be said that the way she acts is extremely unprofessional behavior for a psychiatrist. Real psychiatrists don't get confrontational, talk to their patients like they are stupid, yell at their patients, and certainly do not become friends with/date their patients. But you could argue that that is just something you need to suspend disbelief on.
Those flaws mentioned and ranted about, there are plenty of strong aspects to the movie. For one, the photography is just stunning, with some stunning scenery, sunsets, and even Barbra Streisand herself, looking very lovely, and difficult to take your eyes off of. Another strong point, perhaps what saves this production, are the fantastic performances. Nick Nolte, Kate Nelligan, and Blythe Danner especially give truly raw performances as complex, emotional, and not always likeable people. But nobody, not even Streisand and her son, gives a terrible performance. Finally, the storyline is very involving and heartbreaking, and even the romance between Nolte and Streisand, while a little more prevalent than it should be, is very touching.
Though nominated for many Academy Awards, it isn't hard to see why it won zero. When watched today, it has the feeling of a Lifetime tv-movie, and I'm sure the Academy felt that what could have been a raw, educational look at psychiatry and coming to terms with your past was made into not much more than a soap opera. But still, this is a very engrossing film that, love it or hate it, will stick with you. Not destined to be a classic, but good nonetheless.
Movie Review: Barbara's inner drive.......
Summary: 5 Stars
Barbara strived to be someone as she was growing up in Flatbush. She was always told that she couldn't do this, wouldn't be this, and with that nose........
Barbara gives a performance of dignity and determination. Her personal belief and life's experiences are interwoven in this production.
The Price of Tides.......it will make you proud and give you hope.
Movie Review: Maybe you have to be a Southerner...
Summary: 4 Stars
I have seen this film a number of times, realized I wanted a copy to keep. While Pat Conroy's books are too often "over-written," including PRINCE OF TIDES -- I still love this particular book, and the script for the film -- brava to Streisand. And Nick Nolte is marvelous!