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Shanghai Surprise (1986)
Released By: Vestron Video   Rating: PG-13   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: Vestron Video
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Jim Goddard
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Madonna, Paul Freeman, Philip Sayer, Richard Griffiths, Sean Penn
Published ID: 1324
UPC: 012236140962, 012236211723,
Plot: 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 opium. She wants to use the drugs to relieve the suffering of wounded Chinese soldiers -- as she puts it, Guns cause pain. Opium eases pain. Glendon reluctantly agrees. But unfortunately for the two do-gooders, there are other, more notorious seekers of the opium shipment as well. George Harrison, one of the film's producers, wrote the songs and appears in a cameo role as a nightclub singer. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
madonna and sean looked cute together
Added 12/31/2009

i have to admit that madonna and sean really did looked cute together in this film. i like the chemistry between them. madonna looked gorgeous and cute, but her acting wasn't her best. the movie was just ok...
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
I found it racist
Added 6/4/2007

This is my reason for disliking Sean Penn AND Madonna. On the plus side, this movie and Who's That Girl showcase Madonna's lack of natural acting ability so one is never tempted to even wonder if her remake of the Italian classic Swept Away deserves a look-see and if you hated Sean Penn's cannibalistic turn in Mystic River, you'll love this film as evidence of the actor's lack of integrity and fairness albeit towards the Chinese who aren't supposed to be worth much never mind the rise of their currency. I was fortunate enough to be in the audience of the original Broadway run of Evita and I have the cast recording and I am convinced that Madonna basically and only copied what she could glean off the recording of Patti Lupone's performance for the extended music video that was the moovie Evita. I don't want to express anything hurtful so I will restrain myself from giving my complete opinion about this movie and what I think it says about these two actors. This movie is offensive to me and the lack of outrage by the critics when this movie came out is also offensive to me. I'm ashamed that this movie was created in my lifetime when my country presents itself as good enough to tell other countries how to behave.

Why does Sean Penn tend to play characters who are from the wrong side of the tracks anyway? Wasn't he born with a silver spoon in his mouth? This reminds me of Matt Damon making Good Will Hunting and Marky Mark caint do nuttin about that. Haw.

Madonna is a narcissist and she bootlegs intellectual property. She's safer just being herself.

5 out of 15 people found this helpful.
A Must For The Madonna Completist!
Added 4/18/2007

It's hard to believe that 21 years have passed since this Madonna-Sean Penn disaster was first released. And time has not worked any wonders on this clumsily plotted, awkwardly incompetent movie. What you get with this SPECIAL EDITION release is a beautifully remastered picture with 5.1 sound, a gaggle of special features which are quite funny (one of which I'm actually on--listen for me on the fans commentary, I'm the bitchy New Yorker in the room!). It's a movie only a dedicated Madonna fan could love, and if you are one, then you simply must upgrade!
3 out of 4 people found this helpful.
flop suey
Added 3/22/2006

It seems like "Shanghai Surprise" is synonymous with bad movies. I don't care, I really love this movie. Because it falls into that so bad it's pathetically funny category. Madonna plays the part of Gloria Tatlock, missionary for all the laughing sinners. Gloria meets Glendon Wasey (don't you just love that name?) (played by Madonna's first-husband, Sean Penn) and although it is a dramatic action story (they're searching for opium) it is also a love story between Gloria and Glendon. My favorite part was when Gloria fell out of the window while Glendon laughs at her.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Disappointing because the stars ARE stars
Added 6/20/2005

Madonna has proven time and again that she's a talented actress, from the sly fun of "Desperately Seeking Susan" to her phenomenal performance in "Evita", and of course Sean Penn's an Oscar winner. Although this is one of their earlier films - WHAT WERE THEY THINKING???? This movie isn't fun, just dumb, from the blase plot to the far-fetched premise of Madonna as a missionary. This talented couple is utterly wasted on this flick and the lousy script is more of a tragedy than the Penns' failed marriage. Ugh.
3 out of 7 people found this helpful.
madonna and sean looked cute together
Added 12/31/2009

i have to admit that madonna and sean really did looked cute together in this film. i like the chemistry between them. madonna looked gorgeous and cute, but her acting wasn't her best. the movie was just ok...
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
I found it racist
Added 6/4/2007

This is my reason for disliking Sean Penn AND Madonna. On the plus side, this movie and Who's That Girl showcase Madonna's lack of natural acting ability so one is never tempted to even wonder if her remake of the Italian classic Swept Away deserves a look-see and if you hated Sean Penn's cannibalistic turn in Mystic River, you'll love this film as evidence of the actor's lack of integrity and fairness albeit towards the Chinese who aren't supposed to be worth much never mind the rise of their currency. I was fortunate enough to be in the audience of the original Broadway run of Evita and I have the cast recording and I am convinced that Madonna basically and only copied what she could glean off the recording of Patti Lupone's performance for the extended music video that was the moovie Evita. I don't want to express anything hurtful so I will restrain myself from giving my complete opinion about this movie and what I think it says about these two actors. This movie is offensive to me and the lack of outrage by the critics when this movie came out is also offensive to me. I'm ashamed that this movie was created in my lifetime when my country presents itself as good enough to tell other countries how to behave.

Why does Sean Penn tend to play characters who are from the wrong side of the tracks anyway? Wasn't he born with a silver spoon in his mouth? This reminds me of Matt Damon making Good Will Hunting and Marky Mark caint do nuttin about that. Haw.

Madonna is a narcissist and she bootlegs intellectual property. She's safer just being herself.

5 out of 15 people found this helpful.
A Must For The Madonna Completist!
Added 4/18/2007

It's hard to believe that 21 years have passed since this Madonna-Sean Penn disaster was first released. And time has not worked any wonders on this clumsily plotted, awkwardly incompetent movie. What you get with this SPECIAL EDITION release is a beautifully remastered picture with 5.1 sound, a gaggle of special features which are quite funny (one of which I'm actually on--listen for me on the fans commentary, I'm the bitchy New Yorker in the room!). It's a movie only a dedicated Madonna fan could love, and if you are one, then you simply must upgrade!
3 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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