A Shock to the System poster

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

    1. cast image

      Michael Caine

      Graham Marshall

    2. cast image

      Elizabeth McGovern

      Stella Anderson

    3. cast image

      Peter Riegert

      Robert Benham

    4. cast image

      Swoosie Kurtz

      Leslie Marshall

    5. cast image

      Will Patton

      Lt. Laker

    6. cast image

      Jenny Wright

      Melanie O'Conner

    7. cast image

      John McMartin

      George Brewster

    8. cast image

      Barbara Baxley

      Lillian

    9. cast image

      Haviland Morris

      Tara Liston

    10. cast image

      Philip Moon

      Henry Park

    11. cast image

      Kent Broadhurst

      Executive #1

    12. cast image

      Zach Grenier

      Executive #2

    13. cast image

      David Schramm

      Executive #3

    14. cast image

      Sam Schacht

      David Jones

    15. cast image

      Christopher Durang

      Convention Speaker

    16. cast image

      Mia Dillon

      Graham's Secretary

    17. cast image

      Alice Haining

      Benham's Secretary

    18. cast image

      Patience Moore

      Wanda Maas

    19. cast image

      Darrell Wilks

      Joe

    20. cast image

      Scotty Bloch

      Secretary #1

    21. cast image

      Kim Staunton

      Secretary #2

    22. cast image

      Alicia Hoge

      Secretary #3

    23. cast image

      Mike Cicchetti

      Beggar #1

    24. cast image

      Rick Petrucelli

      Beggar #2

    25. cast image

      Victor Truro

      Bum

    26. cast image

      Rik Colitti

      Bum #2

    27. cast image

      Mike Starr

      Bum #3

    28. cast image

      Miguel Pérez

      Transit Cop

    29. cast image

      John Finn

      Motorman

    30. cast image

      Tyrone Jackson

      Messenger

    31. cast image

      Marie Sylvia

      Waitress

    32. cast image

      Samuel L. Jackson

      Ulysses

    33. cast image

      Jonathan Freeman

      Decorator in Bob's Office

    34. cast image

      Elizabeth Moran

      Partygoer

    35. cast image

      Joe Zaloom

      Hot Dog Vendor

    36. cast image

      Socorro Santiago

      Rental Car Attendant / Additional Dialogue

    37. cast image

      Welker White

      Kennel Driver

    38. cast image

      Frank Ferrara

      Off Duty Cab Driver

    39. cast image

      Sheila Stainback

      News Anchor Woman

    40. cast image

      Jim Dratfield

      Additional Dialogue

    41. cast image

      Fred Ephraim

      Additional Dialogue

    42. cast image

      Garry Goodrow

      Additional Dialogue

    43. cast image

      David H. Kramer

      Additional Dialogue

    44. cast image

      Angela Pietropinto

      Additional Dialogue

    45. cast image

      Craig Sechler

      Additional Dialogue

    46. cast image

      Louise Williams

      Additional Dialogue

    Social

    Review 2Discussion

    A review by John Chard

    9
    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...

    Media

    Videos 1Backdrops 4Posters 18

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    Facts

    Status

    Released

    Original Language

    English

    Budget

    -

    Revenue

    -

    Keywords

    • new york city
    • based on novel or book
    • sailing
    • lighter
    • murder
    • electrocution
    • advertising executive
    • advertising agency
    • madison avenue
    • corporate ladder