A Shock to the System( 1990)

TV-MACrimeComedy

64%

User
Score

Climbing the corporate ladder can be murder.

Overview

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.

Top Billed Cast

Michael Caine
Graham Marshall
Elizabeth McGovern
Stella Anderson
Peter Riegert
Robert Benham
Swoosie Kurtz
Leslie Marshall
Will Patton
Lt. Laker
Jenny Wright
Melanie O'Conner
John McMartin
George Brewster
Barbara Baxley
Lillian
Haviland Morris
Tara Liston
Philip Moon
Henry Park
Kent Broadhurst
Executive #1
Zach Grenier
Executive #2
David Schramm
Executive #3
Sam Schacht
David Jones
Christopher Durang
Convention Speaker
Mia Dillon
Graham's Secretary
Alice Haining
Benham's Secretary
Patience Moore
Wanda Maas
Darrell Wilks
Joe
Scotty Bloch
Secretary #1
Kim Staunton
Secretary #2
Alicia Hoge
Secretary #3
Mike Cicchetti
Beggar #1
Rick Petrucelli
Beggar #2
Victor Truro
Bum
Rik Colitti
Bum #2
Mike Starr
Bum #3
Miguel Pérez
Transit Cop
John Finn
Motorman
Tyrone Jackson
Messenger
Marie Sylvia
Waitress
Samuel L. Jackson
Ulysses
Jonathan Freeman
Decorator in Bob's Office
Elizabeth Moran
Partygoer
Joe Zaloom
Hot Dog Vendor
Socorro Santiago
Rental Car Attendant / Additional Dialogue
Welker White
Kennel Driver
Frank Ferrara
Off Duty Cab Driver
Sheila Stainback
News Anchor Woman
Jim Dratfield
Additional Dialogue
Fred Ephraim
Additional Dialogue
Garry Goodrow
Additional Dialogue
David H. Kramer
Additional Dialogue
Angela Pietropinto
Additional Dialogue
Craig Sechler
Additional Dialogue
Louise Williams
Additional Dialogue

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Review 2Discussion

A review by John Chard

Written by John Chard on Sat Nov 15 2014

Graham has had enough of getting the shaft… A Shock to the System is directed by Jan Egleson and adapted to screenplay by Andrew Klavan from the novel written by Simon Brett. It stars Michael Caine, Elizabeth McGovern, Peter Riegert, Will Patton and Swoosie Kurtz. Music is by Gary Chang and cinematography by Paul Goldsmith. Graham Marshall (Caine) is once again overlooked for promotion and once again his harpy wife (Kurtz) belittles him.Then a heated exchange at the train station results in the accidental death of a beggar, and he gets away with it, something which gives Graham some devil...