The Secret of My Success Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Kansas farm boy juggles an executive job, a mailroom gig, and his aunt (who’s also the boss’s wife), all while wooing a sharp colleague because New York’s confusing, apparently.

🍿 The Secret of My Success: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Kansas to New York

Brantley Foster, fresh out of business school in Kansas, heads to New York City with a job offer in hand. He arrives full of optimism, ready to conquer the corporate world. Unfortunately, the company has been taken over, and Brantley finds himself unemployed on his first day. Determined to make it, he relentlessly pursues job opportunities, but his lack of experience proves to be a major hurdle. He quickly learns that landing a good job in the big city is harder than he imagined.

The Mailroom

Desperate, Brantley seeks help from a distant relative, his Uncle Howard Prescott, a powerful CEO. Howard gives him a job in the mailroom of his company, Pemrose Corporation. Unsatisfied with his position, Brantley sees firsthand the inefficiencies and mismanagement within the company. He becomes acquainted with Fred Melrose, a cynical mailroom worker. Brantley uses this position to gather information about Pemrose, carefully learning about the company’s inner workings and identifying its weaknesses.

Carlton Whitfield

Seizing an opportunity, Brantley creates a fictitious executive persona named Carlton Whitfield. Using an empty office and his business acumen, he begins making strategic decisions that improve the company’s performance. Carlton quickly gains attention and respect within Pemrose. As Carlton, Brantley navigates the corporate landscape, charming investors and proposing innovative solutions. However, keeping his two identities separate becomes increasingly challenging, leading to comical and precarious situations.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Brantley Foster (Michael J. Fox): A bright and ambitious college graduate from Kansas who poses as an executive to climb the corporate ladder in New York City.
• Christy Wills (Helen Slater): A driven and intelligent executive who initially has an affair with her boss, but falls for Brantley’s charm and business acumen.
• Howard Prescott (Richard Jordan): Brantley’s distant uncle and the ruthless CEO of Pemrose, who is threatened by Brantley’s ambition and success.
• Vera Prescott (Margaret Whitton): Howard’s bored and seductive wife (and Brantley’s aunt by marriage) who has an affair with Brantley and ultimately takes control of Pemrose.
• Fred Melrose (John Pankow): Brantley’s mailroom coworker and friend who is initially suspicious of Brantley’s double life but ultimately supports him.
• Donald Davenport (Fred Gwynne): The powerful CEO attempting a hostile takeover of Pemrose, ultimately thwarted by Brantley and Vera’s actions.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Brantley Foster: “Experience. That’s what everybody says. How am I supposed to get experience if nobody will hire me?” – Brantley expresses his frustration about the catch-22 of needing experience to get a job but being unable to get experience without a job.
• Vera Prescott: “I’m going to have a bath. I’m going to put on something that will absolutely knock your socks off. And then, I’m going to call room service.” – Vera attempts to seduce Brantley, showcasing her forward and confident personality.
• Howard Prescott: “What are you doing here?” – Howard Prescott is suspicious of Carlton Whitfield and confronts him. The quote is a turning point because the audience knows it won’t be long before Howard Prescott discovers Carlton is actually Brantley.
• Interviewer: “You had fun, didn’t you?” – An interviewer flippantly responds to Brantley’s question as to why he went to college.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $66,995,879
• Worldwide Gross: $110,996,879

💥 The Secret of My Success Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and wanting to work in New York. Michael J. Fox made it seem so glamorous, even the mailroom. The scene where he’s running on the rooftop is iconic! It’s a feel-good movie and always cheers me up. I like how the music brings all of the 80s nostalgia. I laugh everytime I watch it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Michael J. Fox”
  • “Viewers who enjoy 1980s comedies”
  • “Those who like stories about corporate ambition and success”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Brief sexual content”
  • “Mild language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Though Fox shines, ‘The Secret of My Success’ relies too heavily on predictable tropes. Some amusing moments are overshadowed by a formulaic plot and stereotypical characters.
• Roger Ebert: “Ebert criticized the predictable plot, and somewhat superficial characterizations. He noted Fox’s charm, but felt the movie fell short of its potential as corporate satire.
• The New York Times: “Canby highlighted Michael J. Fox’s comedic talent, but emphasized the movie’s success in delivering a light and entertaining experience with charm and wit.

Audience Reactions

The rooftop running scene captures the energetic spirit of pursuing your dreams in the big city.: Audiences generally enjoyed the fast-paced comedic elements and Michael J. Fox’s performance.

Fans loved the 80s music, particularly Yello’s ‘Oh Yeah’ during comedic montage.: Audiences liked how the 80s music complemented the comedic themes and added to the nostaligic charm.

Overall Consensus: A lighthearted 80s comedy carried by Michael J. Fox’s charm, though some found the plot predictable.

Awards

1. Golden Globe Awards (Best Original Song – Motion Picture)- 1988

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Cindy Crawford makes an uncredited appearance in the opening montage as one of the models.”
• “Eric Stoltz was originally cast as Brantley Foster but was replaced by Michael J. Fox.”
• “The movie features several scenes showcasing the World Trade Center, a common sight in New York City skyline shots of that era.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Secret of My Success?

The Secret of My Success is available to rent or buy on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and streaming options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Secret of My Success, you might like these similar films:

• Working Girl (1988): Another 80s film about an ambitious young person climbing the corporate ladder, bending the rules along the way.
• How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967): A classic musical comedy with a similar plot of a young man rising through the ranks using a manual for success.
• Trading Places (1983): A comedy involving switching of identities and using insider information to get ahead in the business world.
• Office Space (1999): A cult classic that humorously critiques corporate culture and the frustrations of office work.

🛒 The Secret of My Success Related Products

• The Secret of My Success [Blu-ray]: Experience the 80s charm in high definition! This Blu-ray edition offers enhanced picture and sound quality for a nostalgic movie night.
• Michael J. Fox: A Biography: Learn about the life and career of the charismatic actor Michael J. Fox. Filled with insights and personal stories, this biography is a tribute to his talent and resilience.
• 80s Retro Button Badges: This set of button badges offers the ultimate 80s nostalgia. These badges feature iconic images and sayings. Express your love for the decade!
• Wall Street (1987) [Blu-ray]: Explore a gripping story about greed and ambition on Wall Street. The Blu-ray edition delivers the film’s intensity with enhanced visual and audio clarity.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Secret of My Success features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Secret of My Success” – performed by Night Ranger
• “Walking on Sunshine” – performed by Katrina & The Waves
• “Oh Yeah” – performed by Yello
• “Heaven and the Heartaches” – performed by Taxxi
• “Sometimes the Good Guys Finish First” – performed by Pat Benatar

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Michael J. Fox rises from wheelchair at BAFTAs and moves audience to tears

Witness Michael J. Fox, the star of ‘The Secret of My Success’, receive a standing ovation at the BAFTAs! It’s incredibly moving to see him honored, and you’ll definitely feel inspired.

Works His Way From Poor Mail Man to CEO of Fortune 500 Company, This Guy Surprises Everyone

Ever wanted a quick rundown of ‘The Secret of My Success’ without committing to a full rewatch? This recap is super helpful and hits all the key plot points. You might be surprised how much you forgot!

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