Starring: Michael Douglas, Melanie Griffith, Liam Neeson, Joely Richardson, John Gielgud Directed By: David Seltzer Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC Label: 20th Century Fox Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: January 11, 2005 Running Time: 132 minutes Theatrical Release Date: January 31, 1992
Description: In this romantic espionage thriller set against the backdrop of World War II, a secretary from Queens is transformed into a government spy. After discovering her attorney boss and lover is actually a secret agent, she convinces him to let her go undercover. With the help of a fellow operative she penetrates the Berlin home of a high-ranking enemy official, and works swiftly to accomplish her mission.
Amazon.com: Uncomfortably close to Ben Hecht and Alfred Hitchcock's film Notorious, this World War II drama (based on a novel by Susan Isaacs) concerns a love affair between a spy (Michael Douglas) and a secretary (Melanie Griffith) that goes south when duty turns him cold and pushes her into dangerous, behind-the-lines intelligence work. Liam Neeson plays the gentleman Nazi unwittingly providing Griffith with cover as domestic help. The best parts of the film are the twists and turns in the romance (Douglas is very good at playing a character who can turn off all feeling at will) at the beginning, while the German scenes are less compelling despite such high stakes for the heroine. The climax--taking us back to Notorious whether it wants to or not--is quite gripping, largely due to Douglas's performance. --Tom Keogh
Great Movie This movie is one that our teenagers like also. In this day and age that is hard to find. We like the fact that it does seem to be very real. Our oldest daughter asked about the movie when they were studing WWII Germany in World History. So I had borrowed this movie from my Mother. Once they saw it they decided that we had to own it as well.
Tess McNeil Goes To War I remember years ago Siskel and Ebert on their annual "Worst Movies of the Year" show figured "Shining Through" prominently. Based on their assessment that was impetus for me to avoid the flick. When I asked my wife what her favorite movie of all time she told me it was "Shining Through". This caused me to scratch my head. Now I had to check out the flick that Siskel and Ebert dismissed as dreck but my wife thought was pure gold. My unbiased opinion is...not bad but not great. My enjoyment depends on not treating it seriously as World War II fare but as pure popcorn. To be honest I thought the film carried more heft than, say, the seriously overrated "Life is Beautiful". The film's only major debit is overlength. Melanie Griffith carries the film brilliantly. She transports her sweetly sexy working girl from New York persona into the espionage arena and we buy it. There are certainly any number of preposterous elements here but check your brain at the door.
Shining Through Melanie Griffith & Michael Douglas - Have Great chemistry together and will make You want to see this movie over & over again. Enjoy
poorly recognized terrific work This is an 'unsung' wonder-movie and regardless of its obvious inspiration from 'Notorious', it still pulls it off on its own right. Modern viewers not interested in the 'Old School' films will appreciate these contemporary actors in their roles. Melanie Griffith actually ACTS as more than a squeaky voiced, collagen lipped piece of fluff. Michael Douglas' credentials should have made this movie more well known but still, no one knows about it. Well, surprise...! It's a really good film. Part espionage, part suspense, part adventure, part love story (chick-flick) and every bit of it is well done. I defy anyone to watch it and not have praise for it after. It should have received more critical acclaim and, honestly, I can't put my finger on why it hasn't.
Shining Review for Shining Through Loved this movie. Loved the twists and turns it took. Loved the suspense...never was sure of how it would end, and even the ending was a bit of a surprise. Wish they made more movies like this.
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