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The Secret of My Success

Play trailer Poster for The Secret of My Success PG-13 1987 1h 50m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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46% Tomatometer 41 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Recent college graduate Brantley Foster (Michael J. Fox) travels from his home in Kansas to New York City to pursue a new finance job. However, when Brantley arrives, he learns that his position has been eliminated, and he's forced to take a job working for his inept Uncle Howard (Richard Jordan), who became a company president through marriage. Brantley starts as a mere mailroom worker, but quickly climbs the corporate ladder when he begins posing as an executive.
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The Secret of My Success

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Critics Consensus

A miscast Michael J. Fox gives The Secret of My Success all the madcap energy he can muster, but it isn't enough to overcome confused direction and a recycled plot.

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Critics Reviews

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Sheila Johnston Independent (UK) 03/29/2023
The latest in a line of American films endorsing the merits of being worldly, ruthless and rich, it wears its heartlessness proudly on its sleeve. Go to Full Review Derek Malcolm Guardian 03/29/2023
The Secret of My Success has too obvious an eye for the main box-office chance to be really successful either as farcical comedy or ironic social comment. But it's kind of fun. Go to Full Review Victoria Mather Daily Telegraph (UK) 03/28/2023
This is a yuppie farrago about corporate raids and corpulent businessmen in which Fox plays the puppy. Go to Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) 03/29/2023
The picture has no remotely critical attitude towards its characters or their milieu. It merely celebrates the acquisitive world of unprincipled workaholic yuppies. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com 07/20/2021
3/5
...without much details of business, morals or anything much, it's a bland, corporate-headed confection... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ciaran S @TrainMultifan26 Jan 5 2 Years after "Back To The Future" Michael J. Fox tried with other movies to recapture the same success, what this movie an improvement? Well yes & no. The Secret of My Success can have some catchy music and romantic moments it unfortunately can suffer from a lackluster story with weak writing, unnecessary plot holes and questionable acting speaking of the acting Michael J. Fox tries his hardest but hardest but he was given very little to work with, Helen Slater may be a decent actress but the filmmakers try way too hard to make her look like Princess Diana also why do you have Carol Ann Susi of all people? While it's not the worst nor best film i've seen it's just that this isn't exactly my cup of tea. See more Dominic B @Dommo Jan 4 I watched this as a kid and loved it, 35 years later its still a lot of fun to watch, feel-good rags to riches with some of the funniest scenes in a movie, I love the bed hopping scenario, and Fox running between guises getting changed in the elevator, comedy genius. This is crying out for a modern remake. See more alan g @agenser May 16 Tame remake of "How to Succeed.." with the songs or energy. Typical proto yuppie 80s movie. Unfortunately it is right for these times of unparalleled excess. See more Robert H 01/18/2025 I think movies like this is what killed Rock & Roll. See more Scott H 08/22/2024 I enjoyed the last 1/3 of the movie more than the first 2/3. See more Jerry R 06/17/2024 Movie is not bad, however I have NEVER watched a movie where the sound track music is so over bearing. Simply stated it ruins a decent story. I would immediately fire the sound director and perhaps make this a decent production, which he ruined by loud obnoxious music. See more Read all reviews
The Secret of My Success

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Cast & Crew

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Herbert Ross

Director

Michael J. Fox

Brantley Foster

Helen Slater

Christy Wills

Richard Jordan

Howard Prescott

Margaret Whitton

Vera Prescott

John Pankow

Fred Melrose

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The Secret of My Success

The Secret of My Success (1987) The Secret of My Success (1987) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Recent college graduate Brantley Foster (Michael J. Fox) travels from his home in Kansas to New York City to pursue a new finance job. However, when Brantley arrives, he learns that his position has been eliminated, and he's forced to take a job working for his inept Uncle Howard (Richard Jordan), who became a company president through marriage. Brantley starts as a mere mailroom worker, but quickly climbs the corporate ladder when he begins posing as an executive.
Director
Herbert Ross
Screenwriter
Jim Cash, Jack Epps Jr., A.J. Carothers
Production Co
Rastar Pictures, Universal Pictures
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$65.3M
Runtime
1h 50m
Sound Mix
Surround
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