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Shanghai Surprise (1986)

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Movie Info

Madonna and Sean Penn, who were husband and wife at the time, starred in this notorious box-office bomb that one critic termed "Flop Suey." The film takes place in 1937, during the Japanese occupation of China. Drug runner Walter Faraday (Paul Freeman) is trying to leave the country with a large stash of opium but he is chased by armed guards and killed. A year passes and missionary Gloria Tatlock (Madonna) hires sleazy American con man Glendon Wasey (Sean Penn) to help her find the missing

Jul 22, 2003

Vestron Video

Cast

All Critics (13) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (1) | Rotten (8) | DVD (9)

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.

April 10, 2007 Full Review Source: EDGE Boston | Comment
EDGE Boston

Striking visuals and some good George Harrison songs can't save it.

October 15, 2003 Comment
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
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Audience Reviews for Shanghai Surprise

So so so boring, I caught this on TV last night, and I couldn't even understand what Penn was saying or what they were supposed to be doing in the movie. The story is ridiculous and I'm like it's supposed to be a romance or what? It was too boring for me to care, so I switched channels before the end. Stay away from

February 14, 2011
ajv2688

Super Reviewer

I really don't know where to start... and I really don't know where to end! This balant Indiana Jones/ Romancing the Stone rip-off is one of the most tedious, tiresome, and dull films I've ever seen. I'm pretty sure that's all that really needs to be said.

November 12, 2007
YLOWBSTARDreturns

Super Reviewer

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