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A Shock to the System
A Shock to the System

A Shock to the System

1990 91 min ★ 6.5 Crime, Comedy

When experienced advertising executive Graham Marshall loses out on a promotion to a young man, he goes down in a path of vengeance.

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Cast

Michael Caine

Michael Caine

Graham Marshall

Elizabeth McGovern

Elizabeth McGovern

Stella Anderson

Peter Riegert

Peter Riegert

Robert Benham

Swoosie Kurtz

Swoosie Kurtz

Leslie Marshall

Will Patton

Will Patton

Lt. Laker

Jenny Wright

Jenny Wright

Melanie O'Conner

John McMartin

John McMartin

George Brewster

Barbara Baxley

Barbara Baxley

Lillian

Haviland Morris

Haviland Morris

Tara Liston

Philip Moon

Philip Moon

Henry Park

Details

Director

Jan Egleson

Screenplay

Andrew Klavan

Tagline

"Climbing the corporate ladder can be murder."

Status

Released

Original Language

EN

Production

Brigand Films

Reviews

J

John Chard

November 15, 2014

★ 9/10

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 o...

C

CinemaSerf

August 26, 2023

★ 7/10

I enjoyed this. "Graham" (Michael Caine) gets a bit narked when he is overlooked for promotion at work. When he heads home, he realises that that is just the beginning of his irritations - his wife "Leslie" (Swoosie Kurtz) nags him relentlessly! What to do? Well, his house has some dodgy electrics and whilst trying to restore the lights, he gets a mild electric shock. His "Eureka" moment is upon h...

K

kevin2019

March 2, 2026

★ 8/10

"A Shock to the System" is one of those films where you eventually find yourself rooting for the character - in this case Graham Marshall - who would ordinarily be considered the bad guy, especially in light of the fact he proceeds to murder all the key figures in his life who have gradually become obstacles frustrating his efforts at every turn to achieve his full professional potential. This exc...

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