Shanghai Surprise

In 1930s Shanghai, an American drug manufacturer, Walter Gladstone, searches for a mysterious miracle cure. He enlists the help of Glendon, a petty thief, who becomes entangled with Gloria, a seductive and enigmatic singer. As they navigate the city's underbelly, their pursuit of the cure becomes intertwined with espionage and a blossoming, albeit volatile, romance.

Shanghai Surprise was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics and audiences alike. It is widely regarded as a critical and commercial failure, often cited as one of the worst films of the 1980s. The film suffered from a convoluted plot, weak performances, and a lack of chemistry between its lead actors.

• Widely panned for its nonsensical plot and poor execution.

• Madonna and Sean Penn's performances were heavily criticized, as was their on-screen chemistry.

• Considered a significant misstep in the careers of its lead actors.

Google audience: Audience reviews often point to a confusing and unengaging storyline. Many viewers found the chemistry between the stars to be lacking, and the film's attempts at humor and intrigue largely fell flat.

Nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Picture.

The film was rushed into production to capitalize on the then-burgeoning romance between stars Madonna and Sean Penn, who were married at the time.