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Shanghai
2010 105 min China, United States of America R 16+
★5.3
Drama, Thriller, Mystery
Director: Mikael Håfström
Trailers
Description
An American man returns to a corrupt, Japanese-occupied Shanghai four months before Pearl Harbor and discovers his friend has been killed. While he unravels the mysteries of the death, he falls in love and discovers a much larger secret that his own government is hiding.
Budget:
$50M
US Gross:
$46,425
Worldwide:
$15.3M
Starring
John Cusack
Actor
Gong Li
Actor
Chow Yun-Fat
Actor
Key opinion
Shanghai is widely regarded as a visually stunning period piece that suffers from a hollow narrative and a lack of creative direction. While the talented international ensemble is frequently praised for their individual screen presence, they fail to achieve necessary synergy, resulting in a film that functions as a polished aesthetic object rather than a compelling thriller.
| Production | The production design and period-accurate atmosphere successfully recreate a moody, noir-inspired 1940s Shanghai. | |
| Screenplay | The script is consistently criticized for being thin, formulaic, and intellectually shallow, failing to generate genuine narrative tension. | |
| Acting | Opinions on the lead performance are divided; some critics view John Cusack as an anchoring, sincere protagonist, while others find him detached, bored, and ill-suited for the role. | |
| Acting | The performances of supporting stars like Ken Watanabe and Chow Yun-fat are highly praised for their individual charisma, yet the ensemble lacks chemistry when acting alongside one another. | |
| Direction | The direction is viewed as lackluster, with critics noting that the filmmaker struggles to unify the disparate plot elements into a cohesive or engaging experience. |