Not much to add to the generally favorable reviews contained herein, except to wonder at the relative scarcity of this flick on tv. It's a puzzlement, considering its intelligence and high quality. Michael Caine reeks malevolence and malice as Graham Marshall, the cutthroat executive on the make. He really is one of the great actors of our day. Highly recommended.

There have been quite a few movies about the cutthroat corporate world (Sweet Smell of Success, The Apartment, 9 to 5, Wall Street, Office Space). But "A Shock to the System" is an unusual one. Michael Caine plays a man who starts killing people after getting passed over for a promotion. On the one hand the viewer knows that this is basically immoral, but we still root for him. We can't help but root for someone to stop at nothing to climb the corporate ladder. I guess that there are going to be quite a few black comedies depicting someone killing people for a strange reason (Arsenic and Old Lace, Monsieur Verdoux, Eating Raoul, The Last Supper). a Not a masterpiece, but I recommend it. Also starring Elizabeth McGovern (Evelyn Nesbit in "Ragtime"),Swoosie Kurtz, Peter Riegert (Boone in "Animal House"),Will Patton and Samuel L. Jackson.*

Jackson made his debut in "Ragtime", in which McGovern had one of the top roles. It was also the debut of Jeff Daniels, Fran Drescher and Mandy Patinkin.

Michael Caine plays a reasonably successful but disaffected middle-aged executive. He has a very good job and home--but he also has a wife who seems more interested in what his job will buy her and he isn't given a promotion EVERYONE thought he'd get. One day he is attacked by a homeless guy and accidentally kills him. Yet, despite happening at a subways stop in New York, no one sees this happen and he's able to just walk away from this like it never happened. However, oddly, instead of being saddened or scared by this event, Caine is thrilled! He starts to feel invulnerable...almost magical. So, after his wife pushes him too far, he experiments to see if once again he can get away with killing her, too. When this occurs, Caine decides he's pretty much invulnerable and decides to try his luck again...after all, killing can be like potato chips--you can't stop at just one! Talk about a bad mid-life crisis!!

I am not sure if this is meant as a dark comedy or just a suspense film--all I know is that it made me laugh...and wonder just how many smart guys like Cains character do what he did and never get caught. Very well written and unique. It's certainly not a film for everyone--especially with its VERY unconventional ending, but I sure liked it and think it's an unnoticed little gem.

By the way, on the DVD there is an alternate ending. This ending stank...so I really think they did the right thing sticking with the darker ending.