The Prince of Tides (1991)

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Meet ritzy-schmitzy, Park Avenue psychiatrist, Dr. Susan Loenstein, played by none other than "bum-note" Barbra Streisand, herself.One day when the emotionally disturbed Tom Wingo shows up at her swank office seeking help, what does this supposedly professional, highly ethical and married woman do as a means of therapy for Tom? Well, this low-down, sleazy, two-timing bitch initiates sex with him! That's right.And if that wasn't distasteful enough - Literally half of this film's running time is then given over to an utterly shitty "love affair" that immediately transpires between these two major arse-holes, Tom & Sue.We watch Tom & Sue eating cotton-candy. We watch Tom & Sue laughing so joyfully. We watch Tom & Sue skipping together along the beach. (Tra-la-la-la!) We watch so much of frickin' Tom & Sue that it makes me want to puke my guts out.You know, it really figures that it was "America's Treasure", Barbra Streisand, who's the one to be held responsible for directing this detestable crap.This movie is pure garbage! I don't believe for a minute that its story is supposed to be a statement, protesting against the sexual abuse of children.

Directed by Barbra Streisand, "The Prince of Tides" stars Nick Nolte as Tom Wingo, a man whose dysfunctional childhood has left him with severe psychological scars. When his sister attempts suicide, Tom comes into contact with Susan Lowenstein (Streisand), a psychologist with domestic problems of her own. The film was adapted from a novel by Pat Conroy."The Prince of Tides" is channelling the Southern Gothic fiction of Tennessee Wiliams and William Faulkner. In this regard, Streisand's film is proudly melodramatic, overcooked and larger-than-life. There's no subtlety here, just one ridiculously bombastic moment after the other. Whilst this is the film's largest flaw, it's also its biggest asset; southern melodrama has always tended towards the voluptuous. With fine performances by a scenery chewing Nolte and an austere Blythe Danner.7/10 – Worth one viewing. See "The Beguiled".

The novel upon which this movie is based, was written by Pat Conroy. If you read the novel first, you'll learn, the film is very close to the literally version, perhaps, too close. The story follows Tom Wingo (Nick Nolte) on the way to the hospital where his sister Savannah, (Melinda Dillon) is a patient, having tried to commit suicide. There, Tom is asked by a Psychiatrist‎ (Barbra Streisand) to help her fathom the reasons why his sister has twice tried to kill herself. During the private sessions which follow, Tom, reluctantly becomes his sister's painful childhood memories. While this helps the doctor understand her patient's background, it also allows Tom to understand why the doctor too, is so unhappy with her marriage. His tragic memories, as well as those of his sister and their family, delves into the very horror of a Southern family troubles, living in a section of a deep river plantation. Every family has secrets which cause intense pain, but when exposed to a listening audience it is chilling to see them exposed Raw and bared to all. The movie is slow to enlighten the listener, but when the movie exposes all, it's patently horrifying and tragic. The cast members which include Blythe Danner, Jeroen Krabbé, Jason Gould and the late George Carlin, make this story all the more real. Easily recommended, but only to the thick skinned. ****

Spanish moss dripping from the branches of the live oak trees, dark and brooding tide pools of brackish water, love and hate intermingled, deep, abiding secrets shared and forgotten, Tom Wingo (name like unto Tom Wingfield of "The Glass Menagerie"), quintessential Southern boy/man. Brother Luke and sister Savannah, a mother named Lila, a brutal father, Henry. Terror and shame intertwining to paralyze and shock, murder covered over like South Carolina soil covered over the bodies, psyches being explored, wrung out, hung out to dry, love healing as it crucifies. Christ repeatedly crucified, but the only mention of his name is a curse. Symbolism abounding: violin vs. football, Southern life vs. Northern life, Jewish mother, Southern mother, children playing, laughing, crying, hurting, adults playing, laughing, crying, hurting. Oh, God, where were YOU in all of this?