Review of The Prince of Tides (1991) by Stephen M — 22 Mar 2008

This is a wonderful piece of artwork and Streisand's work as a director is clearly first rate - everyone says so (except for the Academy Award nominators who put the film up for best picture but not her for best director). Aside from her beautiful and lyrical camera work, Streisand directs her actors to stellar performances (Oscar noms for Nolte and Nelligan), including her endearing and handsome son, who plays her son in the movie.

It is always going to be difficult for fan's of Conroy's work to see that work translated to the screen because in that translation you lose the beautiful poetry of his language (except for the few brief moments when Nolte narrates). But as screen adaptations of novels go, this one is pretty good, I have to admit.

Especially lovely is James Newton Howard's score.

I have deducted one star in my rating for the uncomfortable and sexless sex scenes between Nolte and Streisand. They are self conscious and silly, particularly the love montage. Ick.

Otherwise, it is a film that I greatly enjoyed when it came out and still do, whenever I get out my dvd to watch.