A Shock to the System (1990)
In this off-beat thriller, Michael Caine plays a very unhappy man. He’s frustrated with his wife, Swoosie Kurtz, bogged down by expenses and problems with his house, and he’s desperate to get a promotion at work. When his friend and coworker John McMartin gets sacked and Peter Reigart gets the promotion instead, Michael loses it.
I’m a pretty big Michael Caine fan, so this wasn’t the best choice of film for me to watch. He plays someone who basically has an undiagnosed nervous breakdown and acts out in psychotic ways. He narrates the film and refers to himself in the third person, hallucinates, and plots the murders of those around him. I prefer to see him in dreamier roles, but if you don’t mind him shouting and acting like an evil lunatic, you’ll be in a better position to appreciate the movie.
A Shock to the System is a very dark comedy. As dark comedies aren’t my preferred genre, I didn’t really end up liking the film. In the spirit of fairness, I put myself in the shoes of someone who does like this genre, and for those with a more sardonic sense of humor, it’s probably very entertaining. There’s a side love story with Elizabeth McGovern, lots of tension when Michael Caine is plotting his schemes, and twisted humor running throughout. Those who feel out of control of their lives will probably really like this flick.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not your friend. There are strobing lights and active camera movements that might make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
More Michael Caine movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1972's Sleuth here!
I’m a pretty big Michael Caine fan, so this wasn’t the best choice of film for me to watch. He plays someone who basically has an undiagnosed nervous breakdown and acts out in psychotic ways. He narrates the film and refers to himself in the third person, hallucinates, and plots the murders of those around him. I prefer to see him in dreamier roles, but if you don’t mind him shouting and acting like an evil lunatic, you’ll be in a better position to appreciate the movie.
A Shock to the System is a very dark comedy. As dark comedies aren’t my preferred genre, I didn’t really end up liking the film. In the spirit of fairness, I put myself in the shoes of someone who does like this genre, and for those with a more sardonic sense of humor, it’s probably very entertaining. There’s a side love story with Elizabeth McGovern, lots of tension when Michael Caine is plotting his schemes, and twisted humor running throughout. Those who feel out of control of their lives will probably really like this flick.
DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not your friend. There are strobing lights and active camera movements that might make you sick. In other words, “Don’t Look, Mom!”
More Michael Caine movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1972's Sleuth here!