SmugKitZine Tied for the best movie I have ever seen

Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

Senteur As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

Ogosmith Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Beng Garcia I kept on watching the movie over and over, from the movie-house till vcd till DVD. Brings you back in time. Gallantry was brought back to life. The determination, conviction and all other characteristics that make a man a man. Melanie and Michael make a perfect match in the movie. The chemistry was perfect which made me feel like a part of the movie each time I watch it.

dickklip This is a tale of war, love and espionage. Set in the present (1992, when it was made) but focused on the past (WWII) . Melanie Griffith plays an Irish/Jewish 1st generation immigrant, with relatives still in Germany, who takes a job as a secretary for a mysterious government worker (Michael Douglas). What ensues despite it's "goofs" and "plot holes" is a good thriller, whose intensity builds as it goes, with a definite film noir, and 40's melodrama feel to it. It also has a "Hitchcock" feel to it during the last hour. If you can suspend your disbelief on the flaws and overlook Melanie Griffith's horrible acting and sing song, unemotional, child-like voice. (any other dramatic female star of the time would have been better),this is still a good movie. Not great, but good enough to watch and enjoy.

sharlenescott I had never seen this WWII spy flick prior till tonight. I tuned in because I saw Liam Neeson's name in the credits. I found this movie barely watchable. Melanie Griffith's narration in her dizzy girl voice drove me to distraction. The plot and dialogue were ridiculous (secretaries got to chime in during top secret briefings in the 40's and volunteer johnny-on- the -spot to be a spy)Michael Douglas seemed wooden and bored. The two leads Griffith and Douglas had no chemistry whatsoever. My favorite part was when Mel's newly minted secret spy bag's hidden compartment popped open in front of the SS guy and he barely blinks. He looks at her papers then leaves. Basically everyone else had to look dumber than Melanie, the dumbest spy the Allies ever unleashed on Germany. Another implausible moment was when the character has the bright idea of taking the kiddies of SS officer Liam Neeson to a Jewish ghetto to find her relatives . As soon as they got home, the kids tells dad all about their little adventure and he doesn't seem curious or angry that they were put in serious danger! So much of this was bad or poorly executed. Don't waste your time waiting for any shining moments in "Shining Through."

acheapmom Melanie Griffith plays a World War II US government secretary who transforms herself into an effective spy. Underrated by those around her, she (educated at an unimpressive school) proves she is more street wise than the Vassar types her Harvard educated boss (Michael Douglas) has dated.Yes, it's a slight rehash of Working Girl(her earlier film as a secretary who fights her way to a better position). So what! It's the Cinderalla of the Office escape story for the many of us who were stuck in "9 to 5" jobs below our mental capacity!!!Griffith' character is a 1940's American secretary (who can speak a working class German learned from immigrant parents) who talks her way into actual spy work in wartime Germany! Douglas is the sometimes obtuse OSS (think pre-CIA) American spy guy who reluctantly signs her up for spy work.Joely Richardson is the German girl who has a few weeks as Griffith's best friend "Tell me about Clark Gable!!!". Sir John Gielgud is the stern taskmaster who is her spy leader in Germany...Liam Neeson plays the Nazi you feel a bit sorry for. He's a widowed version of Werner Von Braun who has also fallen in love with Griffith---now working full time as nanny and part time as spy searching for his hidden flying rocket Peenemunde plans!!!---I love many of the old World War II era drama/love/sometimes spy stories! So I love that this film evokes them! (Griffith's character evades capture and saves the day various times - by using techniques picked up in films of that era!!! A boon for trivia buffs..."Remember Mortal Storm with Jimmy Stewart???" ------------------------------------- HOW and WHY this film, Griffith, the script...got those nasty anti-awards listed here amazes me!!! Maybe she (like Kathie Lee for instance) just grates on some peoples' nerves!!!This is a moderately good film. (Betcha lots of women & film buffs are the bigger fans!!!) This film maybe doesn't fit the common demographics. A war adventure movie that might appeal to women more than men. With trimming of the bedroom scene, it could be shown to families with older kids...Even my hyper critical 10 year old son was asking questions (I had skipped the early bedroom scenes). Perhaps it's the Palin Effect (Griffith (like Palin) doesn't come across as nasty, gravely, tough enough to be smart!!!!!)Maybe she doesn't do "Vassar Speak"! But--(like Palin) her effective actions prove otherwise. You doubt her at your peril!