The Prince of Tides (1991)

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

Director:

Barbra Streisand

Writers:

Pat Conroy (novel), Pat Conroy (screenplay)

Stars:

Barbra Streisand, Nick Nolte, Blythe Danner

Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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)

Storyline

The Wingo family is from South Carolina, they growing up in a house on a tidal plain. The oldest offspring, Lucas, largely acted as the protector for his younger twins siblings, Tom and Savannah, in light of their dysfunctional growing up, with their shrimper father, Henry, distant and abusive if/when he did pay them any attention, and their mother, Lila, while not doting on them most concerned about appearances and striving for social standing. Now in middle age, Savannah is a New York based poet, Tom, still living on the South Carolina coast outside of Charleston with his wife Sally and their own three doting daughters, taking a break from his high school teaching/football coaching job, while Lucas has long since died while still standing up for himself and his beliefs. Lila, divorced and now remarried with that wealth and social standing she so long desired, receives news that Savannah is in the hospital following her most recent suicide attempt. Not wanting to face the blame ...

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Plot Keywords:

new york | south carolina | twin | psychiatrist | shrimper | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a scene of sex-related violence and for strong language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le prince des marées

Filming Locations:

Beaufort, South Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$74,787,599

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Barwood Films, Longfellow Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although playing a world-renowned violin player, Jeroen Krabbé didn't play the violin himself. He showed the piece he was supposed to play in the film to two professional players, who also had some difficulty to learn it. However, when they did, Krabbé watched them play it and learned their every movement by heart, which he copied perfectly while filming the scene. Barbra Streisand was so impressed by his performance that she spontaneously hugged him after shooting the scene.

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Goofs

Tom's Southern accent appears & disappears as the film progresses.

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Quotes

Susan Lowenstein: I've gotta find me a nice Jewish boy. You guys are killing me.

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Connections

Referenced in The Reviewers: Reviewer Dibs (2014)

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Soundtracks

Monkey
Written and Performed by George Michael
Courtesy of Columbia Records
by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

One of the best dramas I've ever seen!

Barbra Streisand's visual presentation of Pat Conroy's novel is excellent! I never expected a film under her direction to be this great and very expressive. Nick Nolte's acting is excellent and I can't think of any actor who can play his role as Tom. For those of you who never seen this film, The Prince of Tides is a drama that tackles family, time and emotions. The film is indeed a great imitation of life!