A Shock to the System
6.4
91 minutes
3/23/1990
Overview
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.
Cast List
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 Sr.
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