Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

The Prince of Tides Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 25, 2020

Barbra Streisand's "The Prince of Tides" (1991) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the release include promotional materials for the film; various production materials; audio commentary by the director; interview with writer Pat Conroy; and more. The release also arrives with an illustrated leaflet featuring an essay by Bruce Eder. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Confession time

Can two people as drastically different as Barbra Streisand and Nick Nolte’s characters connect like they do in The Prince of Tides? Of course, they can. But they will have to do it while speaking the same language, plus their sincerity would have to be the foundation of their relationship. Despite overwhelmingly positive reviews from the mainstream critics, however, Streisand and Nolte leave precisely the opposite impression -- they are simply acting parts and fail to convince that the connection between their characters is even remotely authentic.

While his marriage is slowly crumbling, high-school football coach Tom Wingo (Nolte) packs his bags and heads to New York City to meet Dr. Susan Lowenstein (Streisand), a renowned psychiatrist, who has been working with his sister and is trying to figure out the motives behind her suicide attempt. Born and raised in the South, Tom can barely handle the hustle and bustle of big city life, so he hopes that the visit will be as short as possible.

During their sessions, Tom reluctantly reveals bits of his past that allow Dr. Lowenstein to see a man that is every bit as hurt as his unconscious sister. However, while lacking Dr. Lowenstein’s experience, Tom also realizes that she has greatly suffered and is still trying to come to terms with serious disappointments have left permanent scars in her personal life. The sessions then produce an unexpected friendship that leaves both secretly wondering if it is possible to evolve into something much more serious.

There is a lot more that happens before the final credits roll and even though the film has been out for a long, long time, it is best not to address it so that major spoilers are avoided. Then again, Pat Conroy’s novel was such a huge best-seller as well that at this point it is probably quite difficult to have any legit spoilers.

Conroy also worked on the original script for the film, which is quite interesting because the romance that flourishes between Streisand and Nolte’s characters and is at its center actually has a secondary role in the novel. In it the events that Nolte’s character recalls and their consequences produce a much more nuanced type of drama with more complex and in some cases actually slightly different character arcs. So, there is a misalignment in the adaptation of the original material that is immediately recognizable.

But the real trouble with this film isn’t that it overemphasizes the romance, it is that it does it in a way that makes Streisand and Nolte look like they are stuck in an overly ambitious soap opera which is utterly incompatible with the original material. A lot of the intimate conversations where their past is exposed, for instance, sound so prepared that it is extremely easy to tell precisely how and when they would end. The emotional highs and lows that are supposed to shape up their character transformations are just as badly overpolished, so when other characters enter the picture it again looks and sounds like they are acting parts to enhance the melodrama as best as possible.

It is not unreasonable to ask whether Streisand and Nolte were the right actors for their parts, or whether Streisand should have directed the film. What is missing in it is realism and a very specific understanding of the dilemmas the main characters face to go along with it. As it is, what the film sells is awfully hard to take seriously, or at least by anyone that isn’t a die-hard fan of its stars.

The Prince of Tides Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, The Prince of Tides arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text appears inside the leaflet that is provided with this Blu-ray release:

"This new digital restoration was undertaken by Sony Pictures Entertainment and approved by director Barbra Streisand. A new digital transfer was created in 4K resolution on a Scanity film scanner from the 35mm original camera negative and restored at Prasad Corp in Hollywood. The 2.0 surround soundtrack was remastered from the 35mm original Dolby A stereo magnetic master by Sony Pictures Sound Department. Please be sure to enable Dolby Pro Logic decoding on your receiver to properly play the Dolby 2.0 surround soundtrack.

Transfer supervisor: Grover Crisp/Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Colorist: Sheri Eisenberg/Roundabout Entertainment, Santa Monica, CA."

The film looks as healthy and vibrant as it should after a complete 4K makeover. The new master that was created for it really does not have any flaws -- delineation, clarity, depth, and fluidity are outstanding. (In native 4K the footage with the fishing boat and the South Carolina beaches probably looks glorious). Obviously, there are no traces of digital tinkering, so the entire film has a very solid organic appearance. Image stability is excellent. There are a couple of darker sequences that appeared just a tad loose on my system, but I very much doubt that casual viewers will spot the difference. The color grading job is terrific. The primaries are wonderfully saturated and there are great ranges of supporting nuances. In fact, I liked the nuances so much that I wonder if in native 4K the color scheme actually looks any different. I doubt it. All in all, I think that the 4K restoration is fantastic and fans of the film will be thrilled with its transition to Blu-ray. My score is 4.75/5.00. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

The Prince of Tides Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

You have to switch to Dolby Pro Logic decoding to get proper audio from your system, so don't forget to do that when you sit down to view the film. The audio is clear, stable, and nicely balanced. During that key flashback, separation and dynamic intensity are quite impressive as well. There is a great music score by James Newton Howard that seriously benefits from the lossless treatment as well.

The Prince of Tides Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Introduction: "Visions and Versions' - a text-format introduction to the film, highlighting Barbra Streisand's creative vision.

• Trailers - in English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Tease trailer. (2 min, 1080i).
  2. Theatrical trailer (3 min, 1080i).

• Pat Conroy -
  
  1. Conroy and Streisand - presented here is 8mm footage showing author Pat Conroy teaching Barbra Streisand the Shag. With audio commentary by the director. (1 min, 1080i).
  
  2. Conroy on Cinema Showcase (1992) - Pat Conroy discusses the adaptation of his novel as well as Barbra Streisand's take on the original material. (7 min, 1080i).
  
  3. Conroy Writes to Streisand - presented here is a copy of an original letter. (1080p).

• Preproducton - presented here is a gallery of archival material from the preproduction process.
  
  1. Children's casting
  2. Rehearsal: Tom's Daughters
  3. Rehearsal: Shrimp and Dog Food
  4. Rehearsal:/Blockg: Leaving Eddie's Party
  5. Streisand Costume and Makeup Tests
  6. Nelligan Costume and Makeup Tests

• Production - presented here is footage from the production process, with raw segments showing Barbra Streisand directing, violinist Pinchas Zuckerman working on the violin scenes, deleted scenes, etc.
  
  1. Siblings Underwater
  2. Making Music
  3. Alternate Scenes
  4. Photo Album

• Postproduction - additional archival footage.
  
  1. Deleted Scenes
  2. Alternate End Credits with Vocal
  3. Negative Cut Revisions
  4. Gag Reel

• Streisand Interviews - presented here are two archival interviews in which Barbra Streisand addresses the conception and production of The Prince of Tides. In English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Aspel & Company (1992).
  2. The Director's Chair (2018).

• Featurette - an archival EPK from Columbia Pictures' vaults. In English, not subtitled. (7 min, 1080i).

• Commentary - this audio commentary features Barbra Streisand and was recorded for the Criterion Collection in 1991 and updated by Streisand in 2019.

• Leaflet - an illustrated leaflet featuring Bruce Eder's essay "The Artist's Mirror" and technical credits.

The Prince of Tides Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This film lacks the realism it needs to appear legit, which is why it often looks like its two stars are left to struggle in an overly ambitious big-budget soap opera. Opinions on it vary, but I think that there is a serious misalignment between the original material that inspired it and the artistic vision of its creator. Criterion's release is sourced from a very beautiful new 4K restoration and comes with a good mix of vintage and new bonus features, including an updated audio commentary by Barbra Streisand. If you can, RENT IT first, and then decide whether you need a copy of it in your collection.