A Shock to the System poster
FilmComedyThrillerDramaCrime

A Shock to the System (1990)

R · 1990-03-23 · 1h 31m · EN
64%
User score
96 votes
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Climbing the corporate ladder can be murder.

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.

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Jan EglesonDirector

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Top billed cast

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Michael CaineMichael CaineGraham MarshallElizabeth McGovernElizabeth McGovernStella AndersonPeter RiegertPeter RiegertRobert BenhamSwoosie KurtzSwoosie KurtzLeslie MarshallWill PattonWill PattonLt. LakerJenny WrightJenny WrightMelanie O'ConnerJohn McMartinJohn McMartinGeorge BrewsterBarbara BaxleyBarbara BaxleyLillianHaviland MorrisHaviland MorrisTara ListonPhilip MoonPhilip MoonHenry ParkKent BroadhurstKent BroadhurstExecutive #1Zach GrenierZach GrenierExecutive #2

Keywords

Based on novel or bookMurderNew york cityElectrocutionSailingAdvertising executiveLighterAdvertising agencyMadison avenueCorporate ladder

Movie DNA

Genre affinityComedy · Thriller · DramaTheme affinityBased On Novel Or Book · Murder · New York CityDialogue densityComedy · DramaDirector preference309192Actor preference42421 · 1384 · 67380Country preferenceUs

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Frequently asked questions about A Shock to the System

What is A Shock to the System about?

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.

How long is A Shock to the System?

A Shock to the System has a runtime of 91 minutes.

Where can I watch A Shock to the System?

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