A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM REVIEWED
“A Shock to The System” is a pretty forgettable film from 1990. Michael Caine plays a Wall Street type who is angry about being passed over. Then, he discovers the joys of murder. Whether it’s a bum or an office slimeball, Caine finds out that life does improve when people get out of your way forever. Elizabeth McGovern puts in stellar work as a personnel officer that respect Caine. But, this is Caine’s movie to go full ham.
People love poking fun at Michael Caine from 1987-on. It’s just that while he picks movies like a blind man playing darts, he always commits to everything. I’d have a hard time seeing this movie getting released now due to the sensitive climate. More than anything this was a production holdover from the 1980s that capitalized on the then-waning fascination with white collar crime. Now that white collars schmucks have become the people directly running and ruining the country, it’s harder to find Caine to be sympathetic.
Plus, a modern studio would ham-fist in an angle to make McGovern into the person he ultimately drives the narrative.
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Commentary
- Interview
- Alternate Ending
- Trailer
- Still Gallery
A/V STATS
- 1.85:1 1080p transfer
- DTS-HD 5.1 master audio track
