Shanghai Surprise

PG-13

1986

1h 37m

Crime

Drama

List

20%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

16%

Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

Glendon Wasey (Sean Penn) is a sleazy, down-on-his-luck con man struggling to sell glow-in-the-dark neckties in Shanghai. When he encounters the lovely Gloria Tatlock (Madonna), a nurse who wants to obtain a supply of opium to ease the suffering of her patients, he decides to help her get hold of a stolen supply of the valuable drug. The only problem is that a lot of other people want to secure the stolen opium as well -- gangsters, smugglers, thugs and a host of dangerous lowlifes.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

It feels, more than anything, like the duo went looking for a movie they could co-star in, and this was the only script that was lying around.

Sep 3, 2016

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…a silly screwball farce, short on stunts or visceral action and clearly missing some scenes, but as a retro star vehicle, it’s out-of-stepness with the 80’s provides added value today…

Rated: 3/5

Sep 13, 2022

Full Review

Phil Hall

EDGE Boston

Madonna's incompetent performance secured her reputation as a no-talent actress...and, to date, she still hasn't been able to shake that reputation.

Rated: 0/5

Apr 10, 2007

Full Review

Betsy Bozdech

DVDJournal.com

The sight of the Material Girl in bobby socks and a prim blue suit is one of the few funny things in the movie; too bad the laughs are unintentional.

Rated: .5/4

Nov 6, 2006

Full Review

Boyd van Hoeij

european-films.net

Rated: 3/5

Jun 10, 2006

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Sep 4, 2005

Full Review

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Steve D

No Surprise here. It is really bad.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/05/23

Full Review

sean g

I was surprised I really like this movie, only the second Madonna movie I have seen from start to finish. The movie is great from the get go, like a indian Jones movie, Madonna and Sean Penn act their socks off and make this movie great, the rest of the cast are great too, action drama and surprise 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

martin a

This film has had a bad press, however as far as 80s films go it is an enjoyable romp that has stood the test of time. Shame it did not do better at box office but considering all of the problems during filming, it did well to get to cinema at all

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A remake of "Macao" would have served them better and displayed fewer embarrassing Asian stereotypes.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Bubble Gum love with both in their Prime.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

adam b

Can't say I was a fan but still isn't as bad as the rating entail. Watch at your own risk

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Jim Goddard

Director

Sean Penn

Glendon Wasey

Madonna

Gloria Tatlock

Paul Freeman

Walter Faraday

Richard Griffiths

Willite Tuttle

Philip Sayer

Justin Kronk

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Synopsis

Glendon Wasey (Sean Penn) is a sleazy, down-on-his-luck con man struggling to sell glow-in-the-dark neckties in Shanghai. When he encounters the lovely Gloria Tatlock (Madonna), a nurse who wants to obtain a supply of opium to ease the suffering of her patients, he decides to help her get hold of a stolen supply of the valuable drug. The only problem is that a lot of other people want to secure the stolen opium as well -- gangsters, smugglers, thugs and a host of dangerous lowlifes.

Director: Jim Goddard
Producer: John Kohn
Production Co: Handmade Films, The Vista Organisation
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 2, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.2M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround

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