Watch Shanghai Calling
- PG-13
- 2012
- 1 hr 38 min
-
6.2 (1,778)
Shanghai Calling is a 2012 romantic comedy that explores the intricate culture clash that occurs when Americans try to do business in China. The movie follows the story of Sam, a hotshot American lawyer who is dispatched to Shanghai to represent a client's business interests. He has never been to Asia and has no understanding of Chinese customs and culture. On arrival, he is immediately embroiled in a series of misadventures that test his knowledge and patience.
As soon as he arrives, things start to go awry. His client breaks their agreement, and he finds himself stranded in a foreign country with no money or prospects. Sam's only hope of getting back home to New York is by succeeding at his first Chinese law case, but this proves to be a much harder task than he anticipated. Along the way, he falls in love with a local woman, Amanda, who acts as his guide and confidant. However, Sam's relationship with Amanda also complicates his work, as the case requires him to dig into her family's history.
Sam quickly discovers the realities of doing business in China, from the government's red tape to the cultural and linguistic barriers. He gets a firsthand experience of how things are done in China, from using chopsticks to sitting through hours-long meetings where nothing gets decided. His desire to succeed is matched only by his hunger to connect with Amanda, but his inexperience in Chinese culture often throws a wrench into his plans. As Sam navigates the complexities and contradictions of Chinese life, he begins to realize that there is more to China than what meets the eye.
As the movie unfolds, Sam and Amanda find themselves at the center of a cross-cultural comedy of errors. Their chemistry and connection deepen as they overcome one obstacle after another. Sam wins over Amanda's family, and they help him with his quest to win his case. Meanwhile, Sam's own family back home is growing impatient, and he's under mounting pressure to deliver results. Modest successes and painful losses come and go, but Sam never wavers from his determination to succeed in Shanghai.
Shanghai Calling is a funny and engaging movie that wrestles with the challenges that arise from cross-cultural relationships. With an all-star cast that includes Le Geng, Daniel Henney, and Sean Gallagher, the film presents a balanced and well-rounded picture of modern-day China. From the bustling chaos of Shanghai's streets to the secluded confines of a traditional Chinese home, the movie paints a picture of a dynamic and ever-changing country in the grip of change. By the time Sam finally steps off the plane back in New York, he is a wiser, more connected person with a newfound appreciation for China and its people.
Overall, Shanghai Calling is a charming and hilarious movie that will keep you laughing and on the edge of your seat. It's a heartwarming tale of love, work, and the power of cross-cultural connections, and it will leave you with a smile on your face and a newfound respect for the people of China.
Shanghai Calling is a 2012 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 45.