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The Secret of My Success
1987 111 min United States of America PG-13 16+
★6.2
Comedy
Director: Herbert Ross
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Brantley Foster, a well-educated kid from Kansas, has always dreamed of making it big in New York, but once in New York, he learns that jobs - and girls - are hard to get. When Brantley visits his uncle, Howard Prescott, who runs a multi-million-dollar company, he is given a job in the company's mail room.
Budget:
$12M
US Gross:
$67M
Worldwide:
$111M
Starring
Michael J. Fox
Actor
Helen Slater
Actor
Richard Jordan
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1988
— Best Original Song
Key opinion
The Secret of My Success is widely regarded as a quintessential, nostalgic 1980s comedy anchored by a charismatic performance from Michael J. Fox. While some viewers feel the film loses momentum and turns toward triviality in its second half, many others maintain that its energetic tone, iconic soundtrack, and lighthearted charm remain highly entertaining.
| Acting | Michael J. Fox delivers a masterfully energetic and charming performance that anchors the film's appeal. | |
| Score | The soundtrack features iconic 80s tracks that effectively bolster the film's celebratory and upbeat atmosphere. | |
| Production | The film succeeds as a vibrant time capsule of 80s aesthetic, capturing the era's fashion and corporate energy. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions are divided on the screenplay's evolution: some find the first half to be an inventive premise, while others argue it devolves into a vulgar and implausible mess by the final act. | |
| Runtime | The two-hour runtime is a point of contention; some fans enjoy the leisurely pace as part of the film's charm, while critics argue it is overly long and stretches the narrative beyond its limits. |