A Shock to the System (1990)
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77% of critics liked it
(13 reviews) -
57% of users liked it
(1,757 ratings)
Shock to the System is a black comedy about a middle-aged advertising executive (Michael Caine) who loses his long-awaited promotion to a younger man (Peter Reigret). In frustration, Caine accidentally pushes a panhandler in front of a subway train--and he gets away with the death. Realizing that… More Shock to the System is a black comedy about a middle-aged advertising executive (Michael Caine) who loses his long-awaited promotion to a younger man (Peter Reigret). In frustration, Caine accidentally pushes a panhandler in front of a subway train--and he gets away with the death. Realizing that committing murder might be a little easier than he previously had thought, he begins plotting the murder of several of his corporate enemies. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jan Egleson
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Mar 23, 1990 Wide
- Studio
- HBO Video
Critic Reviews
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Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
A brilliantly modulated, witty and nasty black comedy.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A Shock to the System shows what happens in the office when cutthroat competition becomes the norm.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Okay black comic thriller. Nothing too special.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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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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Swoosie Kurtz
as Leslie Marshall
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Will Patton
as Lieutenant Laker
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Jenny Wright
as Melanie O'Connor
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John McMartin
as George Brewster
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Barbara Baxley
as Lillian
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Haviland Morris
as Tara Liston
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Philip Moon
as Henry Park
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Scotty Bloch
as Secretary
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Kent Broadhurst
as Executive
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Mike Cicchetti
as Beggar in Subway
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Rik Colitti
as Bum
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Mia Dillon
as Graham's Secretary
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Jim Dratfield
as Additional Dialogue
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John Finn
as Motorman
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Garry Goodrow
as Additional Dialogue
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Zach Grenier
as Executive
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Alice Haining
as Benham's Secretary
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Alicia Hoge
as Secretary
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Samuel L. Jackson
as Ulysses
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Tyrone Jackson
as Messenger
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David Kramer
as Additional Dialogue
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Patience Moore
as Wanda Maas
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Elizabeth Morin
as Partygoer
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Rick Petrucelli
as Beggar
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Angela Pietropinto
as Additional Dialogue
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Socorro Santiago
as Rental Car Attendant
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Sam Schacht
as David Jones
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David Schramm
as Executive
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Craig Sechler
as Additional Dialogue
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Sheila Stainback
as News Anchor Woman
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Mike Starr
as Bum
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Kim Staunton
as Secretary
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Sylvia Marie
as Waitress/Dazzles
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Victor Truro
as Bum
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Welker White
as Kennel Driver
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Darrell Wilks
as Mailroom Boy
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Joe Zaloom
as Hot Dog Vendor
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Christopher Durang
as Convention Speaker
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Frank Ferrara
as Cab Driver
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Fred Ephraim
as Additional Dialogue
- Mary Colquhoun
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Miguel Pérez
as Transit Cop
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John Freeman
as Decorator
