Shanghai Surprise

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Shanghai Surprise

PG-13

1986

1h 37m

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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

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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

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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

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Boyd van Hoeij

european-films.net

Rated: 3/5

Jun 10, 2006

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Sep 4, 2005

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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

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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

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Audience Member

Bubble Gum love with both in their Prime.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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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Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Fish Food

2:35

Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Rickshaw Chase

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Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Drunk With the Ducks

2:05

Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Under Obligation

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Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Someplace Else

2:14

Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Shanghai Surprise

1:43

Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - The Whip and the Horse

1:53

Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - A Man Can Always Use Luck

2:28

Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - Sorely Lacking in Moral Fiber

1:34

Shanghai Surprise: Official Clip - The Devil Himself

2:40

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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
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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