Watch Shining Through
- R
- 1992
- 2 hr 13 min
-
6.4 (10,696)
Set during World War II, Shining Through follows the story of Linda Voss (Melanie Griffith), a secretary at an American law firm. However, it is her intelligence and fluency in German that catches the eye of her boss, Edward Leland (Michael Douglas), who is also a spy for the American government. Linda is recruited to assist Leland in a mission to get a mole inside the German High Command out of Berlin and back to America. She will pose as the nanny of the children of a high-ranking Nazi official (Liam Neeson) in order to gain access to top-secret Nazi documents.
Linda is initially hesitant to accept the mission as she will be leaving behind her mother, father and brother who are stuck living in poverty in New York City. Linda is also fully aware of the risks involved in what is essentially a suicide mission. However, Leland is persuasive and Linda accepts the mission.
Soon, Linda is living in the Nazi household, tasked with the difficult job of caring for the young children of Franz-Otto Dietrich (Liam Neeson). Linda begins her espionage work immediately, learning and memorizing as many classified secrets as she can while also keeping up appearances as a trustworthy nanny to the Dietrich children. Linda's job is made more difficult by the fact that she is constantly under suspicion from Dietrich's sister-in-law, Margrete von Eberstein (Joely Richardson), who is convinced that Linda is up to something.
Linda and Leland soon realize that their mission is more dangerous than they had imagined. They get wind of the Gestapo's Operation Valkyrie, a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler himself. If the plot is successful, the chaos that will ensue may throw a wrench into the Americans' plans to extract their mole from Berlin. Linda's skills are put to the test when she is asked to help thwart the assassination attempt on Hitler's life.
Throughout the movie, Linda struggles with the weight of the lies she must tell to survive as a Nazi nanny, all the while trying to keep her true identity as a spy a secret. Her role as a nanny and spy brings up a moral conflict in her mind, as she begins to develop genuine affection for the children she is caring for. But as the stakes get higher and the danger becomes more imminent, Linda realizes that her job as a spy is a necessary sacrifice for the greater good.
Shining Through is a thrilling movie that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats. Griffith gives an impressive performance as Linda, capturing the audience with her cleverness and bravery. Douglas also impresses as the charming and resourceful spy, Edward Leland. Liam Neeson's portrayal of Franz-Otto Dietrich is chilling, with Neeson fully embodying the coldness and brutality of a Nazi official. Joely Richardson's performance as the suspicious Margrete von Eberstein helps to heighten the tension in the movie.
The movie is praised for its accurate portrayal of life in Nazi Germany, with the set design and costumes transporting viewers back to that terrifying period in history. The film also touches on the importance of women in espionage, giving credit to the many women who played vital roles in intelligence work during World War II.
Overall, Shining Through is a well-crafted spy thriller that is as suspenseful as it is entertaining. Viewers will root for Linda and Leland as they race against time to complete their mission, while also hoping for Linda's safe return to the States. The movie showcases the resilience and bravery of people during difficult times, and also highlights the importance of never giving up on the fight for justice.
Shining Through is a 1992 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.