A Shock to the System

A Shock to the System

91 mins | Drama, Crime, Comedy, Thriller | March 23, 1990

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.

A Shock to the System

91 mins | Drama, Crime, Comedy, Thriller | March 23, 1990

A Shock to the System
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.
IMDb rating 6.6
Producers Brigand Films
Original title A Shock to the System
Directors Jan Egleson
Writers Simon Brett, Andrew Klavan

Cast

Michael Caine

as Graham Marshall

Elizabeth McGovern

as Stella Anderson

Peter Riegert

as Robert Benham

Swoosie Kurtz

as Leslie Marshall

Will Patton

as Lt. Laker

Jenny Wright

as Melanie O'Conner

John McMartin

as George Brewster

Barbara Baxley

as Lillian

Haviland Morris

as Tara Liston

Philip Moon

as Henry Park

Kent Broadhurst

as Executive #1

Zach Grenier

as Executive #2

David Schramm

as Executive #3

Sam Schacht

as David Jones

Christopher Durang

as Convention Speaker

Mia Dillon

as Graham's Secretary

Alice Haining

as Benham's Secretary

Patience Moore

as Wanda Maas

Darrell Wilks

as Joe

Scotty Bloch

as Secretary #1

Kim Staunton

as Secretary #2

Alicia Hoge

as Secretary #3

Mike Cicchetti

as Beggar #1

Rick Petrucelli

as Beggar #2

Victor Truro

as Bum

Rik Colitti

as Bum #2

Mike Starr

as Bum #3

Miguel Pérez

as Transit Cop

John Finn

as Motorman

Tyrone Jackson

as Messenger

Marie Sylvia

as Waitress

Samuel L. Jackson

as Ulysses

Jonathan Freeman

as Decorator in Bob's Office

Elizabeth Moran

as Partygoer

Joe Zaloom

as Hot Dog Vendor

Socorro Santiago

as Rental Car Attendant / Additional Dialogue

Welker White

as Kennel Driver

Frank Ferrara

as Off Duty Cab Driver

Sheila Stainback

as News Anchor Woman

Jim Dratfield

as Additional Dialogue

Fred Ephraim

as Additional Dialogue

Garry Goodrow

as Additional Dialogue

David H. Kramer

as Additional Dialogue

Angela Pietropinto

as Additional Dialogue

Craig Sechler

as Additional Dialogue

Louise Williams

as Additional Dialogue