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Shanghai Surprise

Play trailer Poster for Shanghai Surprise PG-13 1986 1h 37m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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20% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 15% Popcornmeter 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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Shanghai Surprise

Critics Reviews

View All (10) Critics Reviews
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 Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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John S It really is a bad movie. But not nearly the worst I've ever seen. I don't need to watch it again though. (Ever.) Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/24/24 Full Review 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 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 Read all reviews
Shanghai Surprise

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Cast & Crew

Shanghai Surprise

Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Fish Food Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Fish Food 2:35 Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Rickshaw Chase Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Rickshaw Chase 2:14 Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Drunk With the Ducks Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Drunk With the Ducks 2:05 Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Under Obligation Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Under Obligation 2:21 Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Someplace Else Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Someplace Else 2:14 Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Shanghai Surprise Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Shanghai Surprise 1:43 Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - The Whip and the Horse Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - The Whip and the Horse 1:53 Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - A Man Can Always Use Luck Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - A Man Can Always Use Luck 2:28 Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Sorely Lacking in Moral Fiber Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Sorely Lacking in Moral Fiber 1:34 Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - The Devil Himself Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - The Devil Himself 2:40 View more videos
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Movie Info

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
Screenwriter
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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