Shanghai Surprise Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Madonna plays a missionary searching for opium in 1930s Shanghai with Sean Penn, who mostly looks confused, and nobody finds any good acting.

🍿 Shanghai Surprise: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Seeking Opium in Shanghai

In 1938 Shanghai, missionary nurse Gloria Tatlock seeks to acquire opium for medicinal purposes. She enlists the help of Glendon Wasey, an American hustler knowledgeable about the local scene. Their initial search for a man connected to the opium trade leads them into a dangerous chase and introduces them to the criminal underbelly of the city.

A Tangled Web of Deceit

As Gloria and Glendon delve deeper, they encounter a series of shady characters, including a corrupt police officer, Mei Gan, and the enigmatic China Doll. They learn the opium was stolen from Walter Faraday, presumed dead, leading them to believe there is more to the story than they initially thought. The pair is constantly double-crossed, adding to the escalating danger and complexity of their quest.

Betrayal and Revelation

Gloria and Glendon secure jewels to trade for the opium, but face betrayal at every turn. After surviving an explosive encounter with Mei Gan, they reclaim the jewels, only to discover they’re fake. Just when all seems lost, the presumed dead Walter Faraday reappears, revealing he orchestrated much of the chaos to recover the jewels.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Glendon Wasey (Sean Penn): A fortune hunter looking for a quick exit from China who gets entangled in a quest for stolen opium.
• Gloria Tatlock (Madonna): A determined missionary nurse seeking opium for medicinal purposes in war-torn Shanghai.
• Walter Faraday (Paul Freeman): The supposed murdered opium king, who seeks revenge and recovery of his stolen jewels while in disguise.
• Willie Tuttle (Richard Griffiths): A journalist and supposed expert on Walter Faraday’s dealings, who gets involved in the opium search.
• Justin Kronk (Philip Sayer): A mysterious European who constantly tries to sell information related to the opium and Faraday.
• Mei Gan (Kay Tong Lim): A corrupt police officer seeking to obtain Faraday’s opium and exact revenge on China Doll’s family.
• China Doll (Sonserai Lee): Faraday’s concubine who helps the heroes find the opium.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ho Chong: “And you, Reverend Lady, would care for protection for treasured parts?” – Ho Chong is offering Gloria protection for various body parts, escalating from lips and ears to more suggestive areas.
• Gloria Tatlock: “Definitely not!” – Gloria firmly rejects Ho Chong’s increasingly inappropriate offers of protection.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $17,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,315,683
• Worldwide Gross: $2,315,683

💥 Shanghai Surprise Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I’ll admit it, I watched this movie because I was curious about the Penn and Madonna pairing! The plot is so convoluted. Sean Penn’s tie-dye shirts stood out a lot! This movie gave me a good laugh because of how bad it was.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Sean Penn or Madonna”
  • “Those interested in 1980s cinema curiosities”
  • “Viewers interested in films set in 1930s China (with low expectations)”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Drug references”
  • “Suggestive situations”

Professional Reviews

• MovieWeb: “Roger Ebert Despised Madonna’s ‘Body of Evidence,’ so imagine how he felt about this one; the movie is a chaotic mix of poorly executed comedy and adventure, leaving the audience wondering what they just watched.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite the exotic setting and star power, Shanghai Surprise is a misfire, failing to deliver on both the adventure and romance it promises; it’s a surprising disappointment from George Harrison’s Handmade Films.
• AllMovie: “Shanghai Surprise is a complete mess. The movie does not work. The script, the direction, and the acting is all really, really bad. The movie lacks excitement, adventure, humor, or anything that might make it watchable.

Audience Reactions

Madonna’s performance is often criticized, with some calling it her worst.: Some viewers find the film entertainingly bad, appreciating its camp value.

The film’s messy plot and lack of chemistry between the leads is commonly cited.: The cinematography and exotic locations have moments of appeal.

Overall Consensus: Shanghai Surprise is generally considered a poorly executed film with a weak plot, unconvincing performances, and a lack of chemistry between the leads.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Executive producer George Harrison allegedly said of the movie’s two lead stars Madonna and Sean Penn, “Penn is a pain in the arse . . . [while] she has to realize that you can be a fabulous person and be humble as well”.”
• “George Harrison said the experience was so stressful that he began smoking again, which might have contributed to his death from cancer at the age of 58.”

🖥️ How to Watch Shanghai Surprise?

As a less popular film, ‘Shanghai Surprise’ might not be readily available on major streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu. However, you can often find it for rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check these sites for the most up-to-date availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Shanghai Surprise, you might like these similar films:

• Romancing the Stone (1984): Shares the adventure-romance genre with a focus on exotic locales and mismatched leads.
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984): Set in a similar time period and location with an adventure focusing on finding a valuable item.
• The High Road to China (1983): Features a similar adventure storyline set in the 1920s with a focus on finding a missing person.
• Swept Away (2002): Another movie with Madonna, considered a critical failure, and a similar theme of mismatched individuals in a foreign location.

🛒 Shanghai Surprise Related Products

• Shanghai Surprise [Blu-ray]: Own Shanghai Surprise on Blu-Ray. A great addition to any Madonna/Sean Penn fan’s collection. This is a must-have for fans and collectors.
• Shanghai Surprise Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster adds a touch of retro flair to any room. Great for fans of Madonna, Sean Penn, or 80s cinema.

🎧 Soundtrack

Shanghai Surprise features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Shanghai Surprise” – performed by George Harrison with Vicki Brown

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

CINEMADONNA: Shanghai Surprise

Ever heard of Shanghai Surprise? Probably not, and there’s a good reason why! Todd in the Shadows hilariously dissects this Madonna flop, and trust me, it’s a wild ride of bad decisions. You won’t believe how poorly received this movie was!

✨ Rate