1990
R
Corsair Pictures
1 h 28 m

1990
R
Corsair Pictures
1 h 28 m

Summary When you think you're at the top of the corporate ladder and then discover they have managed to pull that ladder away, sometimes you have to take it upon yourself to "level" the playing field, both professionally and personally. Sir Michael Caine delivers an electrifying performance as Graham Marshall, who quickly catches onto the possib...

Directed By: Jan Egleson

Written By: Simon Brett, Andrew Klavan

1990
R
Corsair Pictures
1 h 28 m

1990
R
Corsair Pictures
1 h 28 m

A Shock to the System

Name: A Shock to the System
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Thriller
Released: 1990-03-23
Duration: 1 min 28 s
Rating: 69
Cast: Michael Caine, Elizabeth McGovern, Peter Riegert, Swoosie Kurtz, Will Patton

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 19 Critic Reviews

User Score Available after 4 ratings

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Where to Watch

Directed By: Jan Egleson

Written By: Simon Brett, Andrew Klavan

Where to Watch

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 19 Critic Reviews

79% Positive
15 Reviews

21% Mixed
4 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

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Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

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Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 19 Critic Reviews

79% Positive
15 Reviews

21% Mixed
4 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

100

Orlando Sentinel

A Shock to the System, a dark comedy with the structure of a thriller, is delightfully hard-edged. [23 Apr 1990, p.C1]

By Jay Boyar FULL REVIEW

Time Out

Seldom have Caine's cobra eyes been used to better effect; it's a chilling tale, cleanly directed.

FULL REVIEW

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The movie eventually settles down to become a routine thriller, but its first hour has moments of sheer brilliance as Andrew Klavan's screenplay and first-time director Jan Egleson build an agonizingly detailed satire of the hypocrisy and self-devouring nature of corporate America. [23 Mar 1990]

By William Arnold FULL REVIEW

TV Guide Magazine

A feel-good movie for anyone who's ever wanted to see yuppies burned, blown up, or dropped from the sky.

FULL REVIEW

Washington Post

An amusing debut for both the writer and director, who benefit from Caine's tongue and cheeky turn as the unbuttoned-down Graham.

By Rita Kempley FULL REVIEW

San Francisco Chronicle

The movie, based on the novel by Simon Brett, tries very hard to make a statement about the feelings of a man who has struggled for years and suddenly finds himself over the hill, a shutout at work and at home. But the tale falters on Caine's character. [23 Mar 1990, p.E5]

By Peter Stack FULL REVIEW

Tampa Bay Times

Let's face it: Caine could do a lambada movie and it'd be worth seeing. His work in the new suspense thriller A Shock to the System carries us past the movie's bad direction and muddled script. [24 Mar 1990, p.2D]

FULL REVIEW

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Details

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Production Company Brigand Films

Release Date Mar 23, 1990

Duration 1 h 28 m

Rating R

Genres

Tagline Killing is easy... Getting away with it is murder.

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Awards

Deauville Film Festival

• 1 Nomination

A Shock to the System

Where to Watch

Where to Watch

Top 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

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Reviews

Details

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Awards

Awards

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