BoardChiri Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

richievee This film was nicely staged, probably with a hefty budget, but in terms of wartime intrigue, it falls as flat as a Pfannkuchen. Melanie Griffith is inept in her role as a would-be spy in Nazi Germany. With her character's stupidity and embarrassingly unconvincing command of the German language, she would not have lasted a half-hour before being discovered by the Gestapo and sent back in a boxcar to Hollywood. Michael Douglas's performance was good during the first part of the film, but his "heroic" rescue of Linda Voss was implausible in the extreme, almost laughably so. It was a miscalculation to have Linda narrate the story in a long series of flashbacks, as we in the audience were consigned to feel no threat whatsoever to her survival. And why do the native Germans speak in (subtitled) German for much of the film but then revert to English in other parts? That strains our suspension of disbelief. Worst of all, a spy thriller should never be as boring as "Shining Through." I had trouble staying awake, which surely is not a good sign.

vincentlynch-moonoi It's interesting to read through some of the IMDb reviews of this film. People either hate it or love it. I'm somewhere in the middle.The biggest criticism of this film is that the plot is improbable. Well, that's probably a fair criticism. Of course, if we dismissed all the movies Hollywood makes that are improbable...well, there wouldn't be much left. Of course, the problem here is that this is supposed to be a serious film.The second biggest criticism of this film is regarding the acting of Melanie Griffith. That's also a fair criticism. My feeling about Griffith always was that she was a limited actress that got lucky on a couple of films. And, this wasn't one of them.Michael Douglas -- the film lead -- does okay here, as far as I'm concerned. And, Liam Neeson as a German officer does fine, as well. Joely Richardson as a double agent was good, as well. The only disappointment in terms of significant supporting actors was John Gielgud, as a sympathetic German involved in spying. His part is so inconsequential that it could have been handled by an unknown actor.So, in terms of performances, some are decent, others are not, none are outstanding. One thing that the film is outstanding in is production values. Very impressive, actually.SO, from my perspective, overall, this is a decent film, and worth watching...once. And, just for the record, it was a money-maker.

sabrinambayi-1 I have watched this film like 100 times I know every word and every part of the film.the story of the film is great the music the decoration and the fact the ending is a happy ending it just makes me love the film even more.Michael Douglas, Liam Neeson are great they did a wonderful job but boy Melanie Griffith not so great her acting job is just terrible oh my god and the sound of that voice its like a cat or a bird or something I can't stand it.and every time when I have to watch this film I have to watch in French because I just can't stand the sound of her voice.no wonder why she was nominated for a grazzie award.This is why I have reviewed it 7 out of 10

annabelle0524 This film, though it contains some plot holes and is not realistic per se, is an old favorite of mine and my family's. If Shining Through happens to be on TV, we will watch it. The compassions of the main characters, Linda, Ed, Dietrich, Margherite, really come across the screen, allowing you to fall in love with them. I think the best part of the film, however, is the music--with every swell of the strings, I fall back in love with the characters and the film. There are few films where the music becomes another character of the film, but Shining Through is one of them. (The Last of the Mohicans and Memoirs of a Geisha are some other films where the music is so wonderful.) The final scenes of betrayal and undying love are ones that will never leave you, and the music will haunt you with its love story. Again, this film is a wonderful film for rainy afternoons if you can move beyond the plot holes to get to the wonderful romance and compassion of the characters.