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A Shock To The System
1990
Madison Avenue exec Graham Marshall has paid his dues. He has suffered through mounting bills and a nagging wife to get his well-deserved promotion. But all that changed when his promotion is given to someone else. Annoyed and frustrated, Graham arranges an "accident" for his annoying wife, then seduces a young worker into his .. Read more
| Starring | Michael Caine, Elizabeth McGovern, Peter Riegert, Swoosie Kurtz |
|---|---|
| Director | Jan Egleson |
| Genres | Drama |
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A Shock To The System
Madison Avenue exec Graham Marshall has paid his dues. He has suffered through mounting bills and a nagging wife to get his well-deserved promotion. But all that changed when his promotion is given to someone else. Annoyed and frustrated, Graham arranges an "accident" for his annoying wife, then seduces a young worker into his dark plot to create another "mishap", this time for his new boss. It seems like the world is finally Graham's oyster... but a missing cigarette lighter and a prying police detective may change all that.
| Starring | Michael Caine, Elizabeth McGovern, Peter Riegert, Swoosie Kurtz, Will Patton, Jenny Wright |
|---|---|
| Director | Jan Egleson |
| Studio | DELTA VISUAL ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 24 mins Watch now: 1 hr 24 mins |
| Certificate | DVD: , Watch Online: |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English Watch Online: English |
| Released | DVD: 09 Sep 2002 Watch now: 26 Nov 2009 Production year: 1990 |
| Watch now | £2.49 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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Dulwich College public school has made a major contribution to world cinema over the years. Director Michael Powell and oft-filmed writers such as Raymond Chandler, PG Wodehouse, AEW Mason and CS Forester are all old boys, as is The English Patient author Michael Ondaatje. So, too, is novelist Simon Brett, but this adaptation of one of his superb tales lacks the forceful direction that turned Ondaatje's story into a multi-Oscar-winning success. Nevertheless, Michael Caine gives a terrific performance as the cold-blooded advertising executive who realises that he can get away with anything, even murder, in his ruthless climb to the top, and there are a few fair swipes at some obvious targets.
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Alec Guinness played almost all the parts in the homicidal black comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets. Michael Caine, with a... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Shockingly good
Rented this not really knowing what to expect - but anticipating mildly watchable with emabarrassing 80s overtones.
In actual fact it turned out to be a keenly observed slice of office politics and powerplay - spiced with an occasional low-key murder - and far closer to the bone than the Office could ever be.
Having worked closely with characters like these, I found myself inwardly cheering when each got his well-deserved comeuppance.
80s overtones aside - this is just as true to life in today's corporate world as it was when it was made.
A gem. -
Most recent members' review
View all -
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Shockingly good
Rented this not really knowing what to expect - but anticipating mildly watchable with emabarrassing 80s overtones.
In actual fact it turned out to be a keenly observed slice of office politics and powerplay - spiced with an occasional low-key murder - and far closer to the bone than the Office could ever be.
Having worked closely with characters like these, I found myself inwardly cheering when each got his well-deserved comeuppance.
80s overtones aside - this is just as true to life in today's corporate world as it was when it was made.
A gem. -
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A Shock To The System
Madison Avenue exec Graham Marshall has paid his dues. He has suffered through mounting bills and a nagging wife to get his well-deserved promotion. But all that changed when his promotion is given to someone else. Annoyed and frustrated, Graham arranges an "accident" for his annoying wife, then ...
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