Tom Wingo, a Southern coach and Vietnam veteran, travels to New York City to help his sister, Savannah, a poet, recover from a suicide attempt. While there, he works with her psychiatrist, Dr. Susan Lowenstein, to uncover the buried traumas and painful family secrets that have plagued their lives, particularly the complex and destructive relationship with their mother. As Tom confronts his past, he and Lowenstein develop a deep connection, blurring the lines between professional and personal involvement.

The Prince of Tides received generally positive reviews, with particular praise for its performances, emotional depth, and Streisand's direction. Nick Nolte's portrayal of Tom Wingo was widely lauded, earning him an Academy Award nomination. While some critics found the narrative occasionally melodramatic, the film was recognized for its sensitive exploration of family dysfunction and psychological healing.

• Praised for its strong performances, especially Nick Nolte's.
• Appreciated for its sensitive exploration of family trauma and psychological healing.
• Some found the narrative to be overly dramatic or sentimental.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's emotional depth and the compelling performances. Many viewers found the story of family reconciliation and overcoming past trauma to be moving and thought-provoking. Some reviewers noted the film's ability to evoke strong emotions and its satisfying, albeit sometimes intense, narrative arc.

Nominated for 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Nick Nolte), and Best Supporting Actress (Kate Nelligan). Nominated for 3 Golden Globe Awards.

Barbra Streisand initially turned down the directing and acting roles multiple times, feeling the material was too painful. She ultimately took on both after being convinced by producer Lewis K. Shostack.