A Shock to the System

1990 "Climbing the corporate ladder can be murder."

A Shock to the System

6.6 | 1h31m | R | en | Comedy

Madison Avenue executive Graham Marshall has paid his dues. A talented and devoted worker, he has suffered through mounting bills and a nagging wife with one thing to look forward to: a well-deserved promotion. But when the promotion is given to a loud-mouthed yuppie associate, Graham unleashes his rage on an overly aggressive panhandler, who he accidently kills by pushing him into the path of an oncoming subway train. He re-thinks his problems with an entirely new solution. First, he arranges an "accident" for his annoying wife. Then he creates another "mishap" for his boss. It seems like the world is once more Graham's oyster…but a missing cigarette lighter and a prying police detective may change all that.

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6.6 | 1h31m | R | en | Comedy , Crime | More Info

Released: March. 23,1990 | Released Producted By: Brigand Films , Country: Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:

Synopsis

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Cast

Michael Caine , Elizabeth McGovern , Peter Riegert

Director

Bob Shaw

Producted By

Brigand Films ,

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Trailers & Images

Cast

Michael Caine

as Graham Marshall

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Elizabeth McGovern

as Stella Anderson

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Peter Riegert

as Robert Benham

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Reviews

HotToastyRag In this off-beat thriller, Michael Caine plays a very unhappy man. He's frustrated with his wife, Swoosie Kurtz, bogged down by expenses and problems with his house, and he's desperate to get a promotion at work. When his friend and coworker John McMartin gets sacked and Peter Reigart gets the promotion instead, Michael loses it.I'm a pretty big Michael Caine fan, so this wasn't the best choice of film for me to watch. He plays someone who basically has an undiagnosed nervous breakdown and acts out in psychotic ways. He narrates the film and refers to himself in the third person, hallucinates, and plots the murders of those around him. I prefer to see him in dreamier roles, but if you don't mind him shouting and acting like an evil lunatic, you'll be in a better position to appreciate the movie.A Shock to the System is a very dark comedy. As dark comedies aren't my preferred genre, I didn't really end up liking the film. In the spirit of fairness, I put myself in the shoes of someone who does like this genre, and for those with a more sardonic sense of humor, it's probably very entertaining. There's a side love story with Elizabeth McGovern, lots of tension when Michael Caine is plotting his schemes, and twisted humor running throughout. Those who feel out of control of their lives will probably really like this flick.DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not your friend. There are strobing lights and active camera movements that might make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"

grantss Graham Marshall (Michael Caine) is ambitious and is steadily climbing the corporate ladder. He looks set for another promotion and is very disappointed when, instead, the promotion goes to a subordinate, Robert Benham. He decides to take drastic action to address the perceived injustice.A lesser-known Michael Caine movie. Pretty good. Interesting, though not flawless or hole-proof, plot. Starts off feeling like something between American Psycho and Falling Down, but ultimately ends up as a more conventional crime caper. It needed a bit more grittiness toward the end to really ram its point home.Great performance from Michael Caine, but that is to be expected. Solid support from Elizabeth McGovern and Swoosie Kurtz.

kenjha After failing to get an expected promotion, an ad executive takes revenge on those responsible. It is a decent premise for a black comedy, and filmmakers carry on as if they are being clever and witty. However, the script leaves a lot to be desired. It's too cartoonish to be taken seriously as a crime drama and not wicked enough to be taken as a black comedy. The murder plans are too easy. Caine is well cast as the man who feels he has been wronged by society. Oddly, he provides the narration in third person. Although their roles are limited, McGovern, Riegert, Kurtz, and Patton provide good support. Given their age difference of nearly thirty years, it's a little creepy seeing Caine romance McGovern.

Ali Ilyas Micheal Caine is one of my favorite actor, and its very seldom when he don't do the justice to the role he plays. This movie is no exception. Anyone who had or is been working for corporate business can understand the dirty politics and immoral working ethics, and the depiction of this dilemma in this movie was immaculately pictured. Well the movie goes smoothly, but the only thing which boggles mind is the easy escape provided to Micheal Caine. But overall idea depicts how these corporate firms sucks the all humanly characteristics out and left you with selfish desires. But i don't know why through out the movie all my sympathies were with Caine!