MovieChat Forums > The Prince of Tides (1991) Discussion > Why the Hate?

Why the Hate?

posted 12 years ago by aeris20000
3 replies | jump to latest

I am a notoriously harsh reviewer, IMDB ppl normally rate films way higher then I do.

But this film has 6.5, which by IMDB standards is a massive slating. I thought the film was wonderful and kicked ass. I first I thought Nicks Southern American accent would piss me off but his acting is absolutely masterful. Well worth a high 7 and one of the best movies I have seen in ages.

Do ppl hate it because it deviated from the original material or is it just too sentimental and melodramatic?

I mean sentimentality and melodrama is just as good as more measured subtle drama if done right and it treaded the type rope very carefully to avoid falling into schmaltz land. Is the low rating because others thought it did fall?

[–] doughazelrigg 12 years ago

For me the problem is that the plot, characterizations, and dialogue are terribly contrived, almost insultingly so. The acting is fine, as is the technical side of the direction. It's a classic case of middlebrow film making, however. I can tell from your writing that you're quite intelligent, but in this case I think you've been sucked in by a very manipulative piece of trash

[–] fiatlux-1 12 years ago

I liked the film a lot. I thought Nick Nolte was quite good, and even Babs (who I strongly dislike as a rule) was great as Susan Lowenstein.
While the dialogue is a bit stilted & yes the plot is a bit contrived, its heavily based on the novel.
The novel, while much more detailed than the film, is soapy to some extent too.
So basically the film is very similar to the novel, with the film adding the necessary drama to make it more 'viewable'.

"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."

[–] 12 years ago

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